Rooftop pool at The Copper (Max Touhey, courtesy of JDS Development Group)
Have you ever wondered why New York City is so humid when other coastal cities are so much drier? The East Coast obviously has a lot of water frontage, but what makes the East Coast excessively humid is not the amount of water but the temperature of our oceans. The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans’ currents flow clockwise. For the Atlantic, that means our water comes up from the equator so we have much warmer water than the Pacific Ocean. New York City is known for being especially muggy in July and August, but the city experienced its first heat wave just before summer 2024 officially began on June 20.
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New York City's public pools are set to reopen on June 27, 2024, exactly a month after the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day. However, some lucky renters don't need to wait that long to beat the heat: Leasing has recently launched at The Ellery, the residential component of a new block-through building in Hell's Kitchen. It is located in an especially busy section of Manhattan near Times Square and the Port Authority bus terminal, but cultivates a serene atmosphere with amenities like a private park, a fitness center, and a spa with sauna and steam room. Several stories above the bustling streetscape, a roof terrace houses a 40-foot lap pool with lounge chairs. The first availabilities start at $4,365/month for studios, $4,875/month for one-bedrooms, and $8,775/month for two-bedrooms.
Rooftop pool at The Ellery (Compass)
The Ellery takes its place among a number of residential buildings that have incorporated outdoor pools into their roof decks, adding value and cachet to their developments in the process. Below, we take a look at the coolest pools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
MANHATTAN
Gateway is the first residential development to take shape in Battery Park City, and is surrounded by a private park. Its amenities were designed to make the most of Hudson River views, and include a rooftop terrace, an outdoor pool, an 8,000-square-foot fitness center, a lounge, a party room, and a children’s playroom.
Studios from $3,392
One month free rent on a 13-month lease
180 Water Street is among a new crop of rental buildings with rooftop swimming pools and decks
Designed by Cetra/Ruddy, 180 Water Street brings a new caliber of luxury rentals to the Financial District with its condo-quality apartments and upscale amenities. A rooftop pool with skyline views is the crowning glory, and additional offerings include a dramatic lobby, concierge service, fitness center and yoga studio, entertaining kitchen and dining room, lounge, and gaming area.
All images of 180 Water Street via Metro Loft Management
Studios from $4,595 | 1 Beds from $5,950 | 2 Beds from $8,175
One month free rent on a 12-month lease
Just south of the Essex Crossing mega-development, The Suffolk's address puts it close to popular Lower East Side dining and nightlife. However, the amenity offering in the building is rich enough that residents may not need to leave. A rooftop terrace with an outdoor pool overlooks the Lower Manhattan skyline and the East River.
The Suffolk (Gotham Organization)
Studios from $4,172 | 1 Beds from $5,492 | 2 Beds from $13,103
One month free rent and one month OP on a 13-month lease
Designed by the biophilic-leaning COOKFOX, Ruby brings new housing and abundant greenery to the former site of a parking lot across the street from FIT. The LEED Silver-certified building is underpinned by high-performance systems that optimize energy performance and indoor air quality, and a similar attention to detail was brought to the building's amenities. These include a rooftop terrace with outdoor pool, lounging area, and grilling terrace.
Ruby (Douglas Elliman)
Across the street from Hudson Yards, 3ELEVEN makes its own mark on the new West Side skyline, not to mention the local rental market with its well-appointed apartments and extensive amenities. A lushly landscaped pool deck enjoys lounge areas, cabanas, and views of the Hudson River.
3ELEVEN (Douglaston Development)
Just south of Hudson Yards, The Set offers a new take on pied-a-terre apartments with fully furnished units, flexible lease terms, and full services built into the monthly fees. Three floors of dedicated amenity space further contribute to the luxury hotel atmosphere, and include a roof deck with pool, garden, and residents-only restaurant run by Dan Kluger.
All images of The Set via Related
Studios from $3,833 | 1 Beds from $4,000 | 2 Beds from $6,025
$1,000 move-in credit
Hell’s Kitchen’s Mercedes House is a glass building with floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the views of the Hudson River and the city. In addition to their onsite concierge, VIP pet concierge, Ritz Carlton hotel exchange program and many more perks, the Mercedes House has two pools, one indoor and one outdoor, to keep its residents swimming all year long.
HOUSE39 is ideally situated to make the most of spectacular Manhattan skyline views from the apartments and the rooftop pool and hot tubs inside and out. Resort-style amenities elsewhere include a co-working space, fully equipped fitness center, indoor and outdoor game rooms, outdoor playground, and a Great Lawn with playground, cabanas, grilling and dining areas, and fire pit.
All images of HOUSE39 via Rose Associates
This impressive 71-story rental tower designed by the Rockwell Group has over 70,000 square feet of fitness, spa, cafe, lounge, and athletic facilities. To complement this, they have a skydeck with two-zero edged pools.
Extell Development Company’s Hudson Yards’ 555 Ten offers luxury rental apartments and a slew of amenities to fit. Located 56 stories up, the observation roof deck features a southwest-facing swimming pool that almost feels like an extension of the Hudson River.
Between its white steel latticed exterior and 40,000 square feet of residential amenities, ARO is a highly attractive rental both inside and out. An attended lobby sets the tone, and the building is topped off with a Sky Club featuring a lounge and outdoor pool with breathtaking views. In between, amenities include lounges, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a basketball court, a golf simulator, a chef's kitchen, lounges, a game room, and landscaped outdoor terraces.
All images of ARO via Algin Management
From its stunning copper facade to its 60,000 square feet of amenities, the American Copper Buildings will be considered a top NYC rental for a long time. Here you'll find a rooftop infinity pool with impeccable city and river views, an indoor 75' skybridge lap pool, a Turkish-style hammam, a double-height fitness center with a climbing wall, playroom, residents' lounge, juice bar, and tons more.
Studios from $2,995 | 1 Beds from $3,600
2 months free rent on a 15-month lease
Between its design by Bjarke Ingels Group and its extensive amenity package, The Smile changed the game for East Harlem rentals. The building got its name from its curved facade, and is topped with a rooftop club offering a swimming pool, three whirlpools, grilling and dining areas, and an open-air movie area.
The Smile (Mack Property Management)
Studios from $2,975 | 2 Beds from $4,500
1.5-month signing bonus on two-beds
On the corner of East 103rd Street in the heart of East Harlem, 1998 Second Avenue offers well-appointed apartments and a series of five-star amenities. It is topped with a roof terrace with an outdoor pool, a 17-foot LED television, barbecue areas, table seating, and foldable glass doors leading to an indoor lounge.
1998 Second Avenue (Bolivar Development)
BROOKLYN
Studio for $4,455 | 1 Beds from $5,092 | 2 Bed for $8,044
Up to one month free rent on a 12-month lease
As the rental component of the full-block Front & York development, Magnolia DUMBO surrounds a private park and enjoys an extensive indoor amenities package. To literally top it all of is a rooftop deck with outdoor pool and views of the Manhattan Bridge.
Magnolia DUMBO (Greystar)
Studios from $3,750 | 1 Beds from $4,800 | 2 Beds from $6,900 | 3 Beds from $9,950
One month free rent on a 12-month lease
In a formerly industrial section of Greenpoint, West Wharf brings a robust residential community to the waterfront. The building has attracted attention for its well-appointed apartments and extensive indoor amenity package, and the rooftop deck boasts an outdoor pool and sweeping Manhattan skyline views.
West Wharf (Halcyon Management Group)
Studios from $3,054 | 1 Beds from $4,313 | 2 Beds from $6,613
$1,000 security deposit
An early entrant in the Greenpoint building boom, The Bellslip is part of the Greenpoint Landing development. It changed the local game with its tall height and extensive amenity package, which includes a rooftop terrace with outdoor pool.
The Bellslip (Brookfield Properties)
Studios from $3,410 | 1 Bed for $6,070 | 2 Beds from $6,905
Reduced security deposits
Described by its architect as "a ziggurat and its inverse," Eagle + West was designed to make the most of Manhattan skyline views while making a statement on its own skyline. It is further distinguished by its extensive indoor/outdoor amenity package -- the roof deck alone offers an outdoor pool, a bocce court, BBQ grills, and lounging and dining areas, all of which look out on beautiful skyline vistas.
Eagle + West (Brookfield Properties)
Studio for $3,556 | 1 Beds from $4,050 | 2 Bed for $5,950
1 month free rent on a 12-month lease
The 432-foot-high BKLYN AIR is topped with a roof deck housing the Sky Pool, a landscaped terrace and lounge deck, grilling and dining areas, and life-sized chess and checkers. Interior amenities, which include a Sky Lounge and two-level fitness center, were also designed to make the most of panoramic views.
All images of BKLYN AIR via Lalezarian Properties
Studios from $4,350 | 1 Bed for $6,195
1 month free rent on a 12-month least
One South First's apartments and amenities were designed to make the most of views of the Manhattan skyline, the Williamsburg Bridge, and Domino Park. These include a rooftop pool, rooftop cabanas, grilling stations and dining areas, fitness center, lounge, billiards room, children's playroom, co-working lounges, screening room, and pet spa.
All images of One South First via Compass
420 Kent Avenue, three multi-dimensional glass towers designed by the award-winning architect ODA New York, is located directly on the East River in Williamsburg. In addition to their 20,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, over 25,000 square feet of indoor amenities, and more than 80,000 square feet of outdoor space including a 400-foot-long landscaped riverside esplanade located in the center of Brooklyn’s best neighborhood, the buildings offer residents a rooftop pool on the top of each building with close up views of the East River, the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges.
Located on the lovely Williamsburg waterfront, 1 North 4th Place has an outdoor pool surrounded by an 8,500-square-foot sun deck with chaise and lounge seating, a movie screen, and an outdoor BBQ area for those perfect summer nights.
Brooklyn Crossing is the tallest building in the Pacific Park master plan, and one of the tallest in Brooklyn. By virtue of its height, residents can enjoy open city views from their homes and the building's amenities. That is especially the case from the 51st floor, which is home to an outdoor rooftop pool and cabanas.
Brooklyn Crossing (Brodsky Organization)
A stone's throw from Brooklyn Crossing (see above), Plank Road was fully leased seven months since receiving its first temporary certificate of occupancy, and current availabilities are few and far between. Developer Brodsky Organization attributes this to its prime Brooklyn location, high-quality apartments, and first-class amenities that include a rooftop pool with lounge areas.
Plank Road (VMI rendering for IF Studio)
1 Beds from $5,095
1/2 month free rent or 1/2 month OP
The newest component of the Pacific Park master plan, 595 Dean Street brings new public park space and a Chelsea Piers outpost to its Brooklyn neighborhood. However, the rooftop terrace with outdoor pool, sun deck, grills, and open views is exclusive to residents of the building.
595 Dean Street (TF Cornerstone)
PLG is the tallest building in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, and the amenity-rich rental sets new standards for neighborhood living. Outdoor amenities alone include a rooftop pool, rooftop terrace with barbecue area, outdoor fitness terrace, dog run, and children's play area.
All images of PLG via Moinian Group
Hill West Architects designed 363 Bond’s avant-garde rooftop pool which has unobstructed views of Downtown Manhattan and a Brooklyn mural designed by the legendary LA-based graffiti artist Tristan Eaton. Other amenities include a lifestyle concierge and a shuffleboard court.
1 Beds from $3,060 | 2 Beds from $3,680
2 months free rent on move-ins by July 15
Located in the heart of Coney Island's recent renaissance, 1515 Surf Avenue holds the distinction of being New York's largest residential geothermal building to date. However, the building's environmental friendliness has not done a thing to detract from its luxury. An incredible array of resort-style amenities spans from the landscaped courtyard at the base of the building to the Ocean Deck with outdoor pool.
1515 Surf Avenue (LCOR)
QUEENS
Studios from $3,282 | 1 Beds from $4,271 | 2 Beds from $5,487 | 3 Beds from $7,329
$1,000 security deposit
Sven is one of the tallest buildings in Long Island City, not to mention one of the most amenity-rich and environmentally friendly. The development plan for Sven includes a new half-acre public park in front of the building, but an outdoor pool with a green wall is for residents only.
Sven (Durst Organization)
Sven (The Durst Organization)
Jackson Park comprises a trio of 53-, 44-, and 42-story towers that surround a private, 1.6-acre park with a spacious lawn, dog park, children’s playground, bocce court, fresh-air ping-pong, BBQ stations, and more. The adjacent Club offers five stories and 45,000 square feet of amenities that include a fireside lounge, a fitness center with a 75-foot indoor pool, yoga and Pilates studios, a steam room, a dining room with a demonstration kitchen, a tech area, a conference center, a game room with a poker table, a golf simulator, and full-size courts for basketball, volleyball, and squash. Cabanas and chaise lounge chairs sit beside a heated outdoor pool on the rooftop sundeck.
All images of Jackson Park via Tishman Speyer
Studios from $3,595 | 1 Beds from $3,986
Up to 1 month free rent on a 12-month lease
The sleek and modern residences at 1 QPS have stunning views from the apartments, which are only made better with their Zen-like pool, located 45 stories up, featuring 360 views, a landscaped deck, a grilling station, and a state-of-the-art sound system.
Studio for $3,500 | 3 Bed for $8,995
1 month free rent on a 12-month lease
The Crescent Club's red brick facade nods to Long Island City's industrial history, but its amenities are everything the modern buyer has come to expect and desire. These include a rooftop pool, landscaped backyard with grilling, dining, and lounging areas, state-of-the-art fitness center, business lounge, media lounge, children's playroom, and Sky Lounge.
All images of Crescent Club via Simon Baron Development
Long Island City’s QLIC is a rental building offering residents a rooftop outdoor pool, cabanas overlooking the Manhattan skyline, an open-air theater, an outdoor barbecue, and kitchen and dining areas on the 10th floor.
With 26,000 square feet of amenities, the Forge’s outdoor pool is just one of the many luxury offerings, which also include landscaped courtyards, sculpture gardens, and outdoor movie lawns.
Studio for $3,157 | 1 Beds from $3,475 | 2 Bed for $7,170
Up to 1 month free rent on a 13-month lease
The "cool factor" has come to Astoria, and new rental Astoria West is situated in the heart of the area. Residents of the well-appointed apartments have access to indoor and outdoor amenities that include a rooftop with an outdoor pool, lounge area, and waterfront deck with BBQs and cabanas overlooking stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and the East River.
Astoria West (Corcoran)
BRONX
Studios from $3,050 | 1 Beds from $3,147 | 2 Beds from $3,537
2 months free rent on a 24-month lease
On the Harlem River waterfront, Third at Bankside brings a robust rental community to the former JL Mott Iron Works site in the Bronx. The complex features 20,000 square feet of residential amenities, topped with outdoor pool deck with grilling stations, furnished terrace, full kitchens, event rooms, and sweeping views.
Third at Bankside (Brookfield Properties)
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