Of all the benefits cities offer their denizens––endless culinary opportunities, great shopping and myriad cultural attractions—private outdoor space isn’t usually one of them. But some lucky apartments do indeed have private outdoor escapes, and this roundup is dedicated to those.
These homes in New York, London, Dubai, and Sydney offer unique outdoor spaces that simultaneously pull you out of the metropolitan life and remind you why you love it so much.
Stanhope Penthouse, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Price: $65 million
Overlooking Central Park, the Stanhope Penthouse on Fifth Avenue offers a magnificent rooftop terrace as beautiful as its view of the iconic Manhattan skyline. Designed by acclaimed landscapist Madison Cox, the terrace garden brings the splendor of the natural world above the streets of New York. The sheer height of the building, in addition to the tall, potted trees and the long, verdant hedges running around the terrace’s perimeter, all give the garden a privacy rarely experienced in a city as congested as New York. The terrace adds 4,817 square feet to the already vast two-floor, 7,067-square-foot apartment. The apartment has five bedrooms, and seven-and-a-half bathrooms, as well as a wood-paneled library, cozy dining room and private study.
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Prospero Penthouse, Sandringham House, London
Price: £13.25 million (US$17.26 million)
Resting atop the 11-story "Sandringham House" in Southeast London, this penthouse features a massive interior with an even more massive wrap-around and rooftop terrace. At 5,356 square feet, the outdoor space is 30% larger than the three-bedroom apartment’s sleek, contemporary interior. Hovering above the River Thames with a clear view of the historic Tower of London and iconic Tower Bridge, the apartment has one of London’s great views. At an additional cost, the sale can include chic, minimalist outdoor furniture.
More:As Lower East Side Gentrifies, Condo Offers Sprawling Private Garden
Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai
Price: 50 million Durham (US$13.607 Million)
Dubai is known for properties that push the boundaries of luxury, and this four-bedroom 7,161-square-foot penthouse perched in the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, does just that. Featuring a truly remarkable, contemporary terrace with a sleek wooden floor, hanging and potted plants, modern furniture and an amazing view of Dubai’s shimmering skyline, this apartment provides the ultimate opportunity to gaze upon the cityscape from the comfort of your own home. By day, the terrace provides a wondrous atmosphere to take breakfast and lunch, while by night it transforms–much like the massive Dubai Fountain below– into a dazzlingly lit sight.
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The Alexander, Sydney
Price: AUD$6.5 million (US$4.9 million)
Atop "The Alexander" in North Sydney, this three-bedroom penthouse apartment offers a view of the city’s world-famous harbor from the heart of its cosmopolitan business district. Featuring an ultramodern kitchen, massive glass-wall windows, a fabulous dining room, and even a cocktail bar, this apartment’s undeniable crowning feature is its terrace and rooftop garden. Large, regal stone planters house graceful foliage that give the terrace a stately air, while a nearly invisible glass and metal perimeter ensure safety without sacrificing the world-class view. The sheer beauty of the cosmopolitan city, combined with the terrace’s wide-open space, make it a natural location for an afternoon tan at home or an evening dinner party with friends.
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Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York
Price: $9.5 million
In a city known for its concrete and extreme lack of space, this chic five-bedroom apartment on East 78th Street offers an expansive terrace with enough room and tastefully arranged foliage to refresh even the most jaded New Yorker. The almost 2,200-square-foot exterior wraps around the north, east and south sides of the lavish apartment, giving its homeowner plenty of space to entertain guests at all times of the day. An abundance of outdoor seating, plus a fully integrated A/V system and an interior Clive Christian-designed kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, only further make this the ideal spot for large summer get-togethers and outdoor barbecues.
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Providence Square, London
Price: £1.05 million (US$1.37 million)
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment offers one of the most unique features one could find in probably any London residence: a private jetty with a view of an award-winning water garden. The cozy 865-square-foot dwelling features a spacious reception room that opens up to the unique waterfront terrace and its abundant foliage at the center of a modern apartment complex. The juxtaposition between the lively plants, soothing water and communal living space, make it a relaxing getaway at a relatively affordable price.
Grass grows 2 types of green Landscaping is an investment of growing importance to luxury homeowners https://t.co/qosmnOhDA1 pic.twitter.com/KTOguKJAvZ
— Mansion Global (@MansionGlobal) March 27, 2017