Peek Of Private Parks

New developments are bringing on top landscape architects to create thoughtful, private green spaces that go beyond all expectations -- unveiling inventive new designs with meandering walking trails that circle high-rise towers, teeming, sky-high parks that span an acre+ and literal adult treehouses reserved for residents only.

With spring now underway, access to nature is not only a perk for condo residents, but really a necessity. According to a recent University of Vermont study, exposure to nature delivers a myriad of mental health benefits to city-dwellers, including a reduction in stress levels and time spent ruminating on negative thoughts, as well as an increased sense of wellbeing.

Outdoor sports and other recreational activities also offer direct links to health, decreasing the chances of illness while improving levels of self-motivation. Beyond this handful of advantages, green spaces provide opportunities for social connection and a higher sense of belonging, which sets a context to improve interpersonal relations.

Abode2 has rounded up some key examples of unique green spaces that set the tone for what we expect to see trending this year.

40 West 12th Street

Designed by Atlanta-based firm Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio, 40 West 12th Street is a 16-story tower that sits within a massive $530 million mixed-use development that lured both Google and the Epicurean. The condominium, developed by Selig Enterprises and Rockefeller Group, features 64 stunning residences designed to capture the attention of locals and transplants in search of a high-design lifestyle with unmatched access to the outdoors. 40 West 12th presents a medley of exceptional amenities, with an outdoor deck that connects each building as one of its highlights. Dubbed the “Sky Terrace ,” the space includes enviable views of the Atlanta skyline, a shared event lawn, a hotel pool and bar, as well as private, resident-only grilling stations and lounge areas. The landscape architecture conjoining the office, Epicurean and 40 West 12th was designed by the Atlanta-based firm SITE Solutions. Principal Scott Jones worked hand-in-hand with the architects at Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio to optimize the master plan and create harmony between design and function. Elevating the experience of urban living and working, the space is a central gathering point for residents, office workers and hotel guests, and will be programmed with a host of events and activities year-round.

40 West 12th Street

(Image Credit: Engel & Völkers Atlanta)

One Manhattan Square

One Manhattan Square is a vertical village located in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side with over 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities — that’s twice the size of The White House. Perhaps the ultimate amenity is the expansive and beautiful private outdoor garden that is adjacent to the lobby, thus setting the tone for the entire development and all of its amazing amenity offerings the moment residents and their guests walk through the door. The private outdoor garden is especially spectacular and is actually the largest private garden in New York City. Designed by West 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, the green space features both active and peaceful spaces including outdoor grilling and dining areas, ping-pong tables, a putting green, children’s playground, romantic fire pits, a WiFi-outfitted adult tree house, tea pavilion, and stargazing observatory. It is truly a private sanctuary in the heart of the city.

One Manhattan Square

(Images Credit: Evan Joseph)

Front & York

Designed inside and out by celebrated architect Morris Adjmi, Front & York is introducing the first opportunity to live in a full-service, luxury urban oasis in DUMBO, Brooklyn's most coveted waterfront neighborhood. Located at the center of the development is a half-acre private park designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, visionaries of the beloved Brooklyn Bridge Park. The lush oasis — one of New York City's largest private parks — greets residents from the moment they enter the building's lobby, creating verdant ground-floor views and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living. The dynamic space serves simultaneously as a beautiful viewing garden from the surrounding homes, a quiet respite from the busy city, and a lively space to play outside.

Front & York

(Images Credit: Williams New York)

The Perigon

With several great European landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Princess Diana Fountain gardens in his portfolio, Neil Porter of Gustafson Porter+Bowman is now taking his talents across the pond to Miami Beach via The Perigon, the first and only new ground-up luxury development to launch directly on the ocean this cycle. The condominium was designed by OMA/Rem Koolhaas to accommodate sprawling gardens all the way around the property. To activate these spaces, Neil is creating a continuous, meandering nature trail with small alcoves for lounging and relaxing. Each alcove will have a different environment and family of plants, including tropical palms, bubbling brooks and serene water features. There will also be built in seating areas made out of imported European crushed stone, which will be prime for meditating and reflecting on the day. Given The Perigon’s waterfront location and expansive lush grounds, it could serve as a great example for how landscape architects are tackling new development in 2022.

The Perigon

(Image Credit: Binyan Studios)