a direct living terrace with 20 feet of width and a fire pit already in place, which means someone understood the assignment. the weathered timber screening creates privacy from adjacent buildings, and the mature plantings along the perimeter soften what is otherwise an industrial backdrop. room for dining, lounging, and an actual conversation around a flame.

private direct roof access with 30 feet of width, which is dinner party territory. the mature plantings and weathered deck have that lived-in quality you cannot buy new. exposed to neighbors, yes, but the empire state peeking through softens that concern. remarkably quiet up here, somehow.

those mature evergreens took years to grow in, and they're doing serious work screening out the neighboring sightlines. at 2,065 square feet with 40 feet of width, this direct living terrace seats a dozen people comfortably before anyone notices the courtyard orientation. west-facing means late afternoon sun, which is exactly when you want it.

views are stunning from this terrace, the unknown is how the division with your neighboring terrace is handled.

thirty feet wide with mature hedging already doing the work of creating distinct zones, this direct living terrace earns its scale. lounging on one end, dining on the other, city views in between. north and west light keeps afternoons pleasant without baking. someone actually thought this through.

this direct living terrace is the gold standard for connectivity, offering a seamless extension of the interior. the large scale provides genuine social utility, while the rear-building position is a rare luxury—trading street clamor for maximum privacy and quiet. it’s a tranquil, perfectly proportioned retreat that checks every box.

pleasant views are the standout feature of this private hideaway, hidden behind higher than average railing and a privacy fence separating you from your neighbor. access through the primary is a minus.

wraparound geometry at 900 square feet, with the city and water laid out in every direction you turn. eight feet of width keeps it practical rather than generous, but the multiple zones mean you can host dinner on one side while someone escapes to read on the other. the grill is already there, the planters are started. a direct living terrace that actually gets used.

the views at this elevation are great and will help attract visitors, but hopefully not too many, as the space is not large enough for large-scale entertaining unless you spread guests between the indoor and outdoor areas.

lovely direct roof terrace with a rare built-in fireplace and kitchen. perfectly located to create separate areas for living and dining.

fifteen hundred square feet sounds generous until you notice the seven foot width. this is a direct living terrace that wraps rather than spreads, a long ribbon with central park and skyline views that reward a slow walk more than a seated dinner party. the young tree and planters suggest someone's trying, and the morning coffee spot by the glass rail is genuinely earned. two chairs work; eight guests don't.

planting terraces are the most under appreciated terraces, and therefore make for great purchases. they do not cost much, but if used as the name suggest, can add a valuable joy to the indoor living.