Inside Look: Five private roof decks atop New York City

It’s hard enough to find an apartment with a view in New York City, let alone one with private outdoor space.

But for the lucky ones who can afford a penthouse property, the upper-floor apartment can offer both.

“Apartments with private roof decks are New York City luxuries that are seldom available. It is the uniqueness and rarity of the roof deck coupled with the penthouse status that makes the value so high. Like a needle in a haystack, searching for that private roof deck among the sea of Manhattan’s trophy properties can be difficult,” said Ben Jacobs, licensed associate real estate broker with CORE.

20 Henry St., PH2N
$2,995,000

This Brooklyn Heights penthouse condo, featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms, is described as “loft-like with a flexible layout,” but on nice days owners will be spending their time in the landscaped outdoor space. The private rooftop terrace not only has skyline views and a gas grill, but also a lawn with real grass.

309 W. 86th St., PH
$3,495,000

This three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom duplex on the Upper West Side had been renovated to include modern design, but keep its pre-war charm. The outdoor space includes a shared terrace running the length of the home. A staircase from that terrace leads to a finished private roof terrace with Hudson River and skyline views.

58 Reade St., PH5
$8,250,000

Located in a Tribeca boutique condominium, this four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom penthouse has 4,500 square feet of indoor space on three floors, with more than 1,600 square feet of outdoor space on three terraces on the upper two floors. Its listing promises “great flow between rooms and to the outdoors,” adding that the “north terrace is fantastic for festive dinners while the south terrace has incredible views of lower Manhattan and is perfect for sunset cocktails.”

20 East End Avenue, Penthouse A
$35,000,000

Situated at the top of Upper East Side condo building 20 East End Avenue, this penthouse features more than 6,000 square feet of interior space and over 4,500 square feet of private terrace space. According to a representative for the building, it’s the largest private terrace available in uptown Manhattan. The five-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom home’s private roof terrace has 360-degree views of the city and the East River. It also features “outdoor rooms,” including one with a large wood-burning fireplace.

33 E. 74th St., PH2
$37,000,000

This duplex penthouse may be located just one block from Central Park, but offers its owners plenty of outdoor space to compete with the green space. The four bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom home is newly constructed, offering more than 4,844 square feet of indoor living space and an 2,867-square-foot private terrace. The terrace is set back and spans two full floors, with southern and western exposures.