Architect: Andrew Wilkinson of Wilkinson Architects
Client: NYC Family
Location: SoHo — New York, New York
This 2,000 square feet rooftop terrace project was tailored for a young family in SoHo, atop a five story pre-war building. Wilkinson Architects developed a year round urban retreat and personal playground in the heart of NYC.
The owners’ craved a private yet open rooftop terrace with versatility — a space to accommodate their active social life, an open lounge style sitting area, a formal dining space with a kitchen as well as a play area for their small children. Wilkinson Architects capitalized on the abundant space with a stunning view of the new World Trade Center site.
The terrace is located directly above their full floor loft and it needed to become an extension of their contemporary and modern interior. A raised pavilion along the edge of the roof site includes a chic lounge space, a kitchen with a formal dining area and a six person teak hot tub with an outdoor shower.
The space was designed to offer a sense of comfortable containment within the openness of New York City’s urban setting. Elements of the terrace deck and structure can be disassembled to service and maintain the roof below. With several existing site irregularities, the program requirements were coalesced into an environment of respite with expressive, artful materials and constructions.
Thanks!
PROFESSIONAL PROJECT SUBMISSION FORM
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Project Submission Form.






Sheex Bedding
Sick with jealousy
so_much_money
"Elements of the terrace deck and structure can be disassembled to service and maintain the roof below."
Wow, they actually did it correctly. Walking on tar roofs is very bad for them, so covering the roof while allowing for service is a good idea. I do hope however that they consulted a structural engineer on where to place that hot tub though - 4000 kg of water plus tub is a heck of a point load to put on a roof that's not designed for it.
The look as a whole strikes me as more rustic / Western and not really in character for NYC, but that's just me.
Wow. Second 'eskelcoon'.....sick with money.
Fantastic.
I'm sure it cost money, but good grief, think of how much it would add to their property value.
It's a big change, such a great example for before and after.
I could do this with a glue gun and popsickle sticks!
j/k - teehee
Beautiful transformation!
I'm pretty sure I live around the corner from this (based on the view). My new goal in life is to become friends with these folks. Wish me luck.
wow...to be the kid that grows up with that as a play space! beautifully done!
so... jealous!! Congrats!
lol @ glue gun and popsickle sticks
Wow that is gorgeous, but I shudder to think what something like that might cost. I'm sure it's worth it, though.
*drool*
Xhtmlgirl: I've been gardening in nyc for Brooklyn Planting for almost ten years now... these kinds of things can cost as much as a new car or a new home based on hard materials and plant materials... So much planning! Also, regular maintenance costs year after year to maintain the plant material, irrigation, spa... It's a lifetime investment.
This is a great transformation!!
Gardens don't have to be this elaborate with hardscaping. But boy would I love to have this on my roof!
I hate my life.
Why do I think this is 76 Crosby?
Sick with jealousy is right. That is just fantastic!
Man, I should have gone into Finance. I have a roof deck and to do anything like this would cost bundle. I have some rubber tiles and a sofa from Restoration Hardware lol. Still, its outside right?
I did the same thing on the roof of my rooming house in Hamtramyk. We kept costs low by only using trellis. Safety was not a concern.
Stunning! Expensive...of course...its New York! But look how it added to their living space. And the views! Inspiring and very well done!
I so want this as our backyard!
That said, if anyone wants to buy a kidney, let me know.
Beautiful! And so much greener than a black tar roof, which among other things soaks up massive amounts of heat.
Yeah, I think this is a perfect way to use that kind of space, because there it is -- an otherwise wasted gorgeous city view waiting to be optimized. These folks have totally optimized it, and really, not in a very faddy way. I don't see anything that they'll later ask themselves "What was I thinking?" They might only wonder what took them so long to get around to it. I'd love to go to a party there.
Who cares if this was so much money or not. If these people can afford it and it adds value and functionality to their home (which it very much does), then they have every right to improve their living conditions.
It really is a beautiful outdoor space, right in the middle of NYC - which is even more amazing.
With a terrace like that they barely need the actual apartment! What an acheivement!
This is gorgeous. Fabulous. I love the hanging sofa.
OTOH, fabulous budgets=fabulous projects. Duh.
I've got two unfinished roof decks at my place. Bring your glue gun and popsicle sticks.
amazing work. that terrace is a little piece of heaven
That's gorgeous. And definitely adds to their property value, so smart move!
This is wonderful and lovely! But where did all of the skylights and utility boxes go? I'd love to see a layout plan before and after!
$$$