East River Terrace

Surrounded by open sky with Manhattan and Queens views, this terrace called for a garden that could hold its own without competing with the city.

Long planters wrap the perimeter with layers of ornamental grasses, flowering perennials, evergreen shrubs, and trailing plants. The grasses bring constant movement to the space, especially at this height, while softer flowering plants add seasonal color and a more natural, relaxed feel.

We mixed in sculptural evergreens and small trees to give the garden height and structure, breaking up the long edges of the terrace and creating more intimate moments throughout. Smaller ceramic planters were layered in between to add texture, variation, and a more collected feeling.

The warm, earthy tone of the planters was chosen to work with the existing terracotta-colored architecture and paving, helping the garden feel like it belongs to the building rather than sitting on top of it. The result is a rooftop that feels lush and grounded, but still completely open to the city around it.