Discover Public Rooftop and Garden Spaces in Major Cities

In New York City, the High Line is a famous example of a public rooftop and garden space, built on an elevated rail line.

The High Line stretches 1.45 miles through Manhattan's west side, offering stunning views of the Hudson River and the city.

Some of the High Line's gardens feature over 130 species of plants, including native wildflowers and grasses.

The High Line is open to the public 365 days a year, from 7am to 10pm.

The Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden Bar & Café is a hidden gem in London. Established in 2011, it's run by volunteers who have experienced homelessness, addiction, and mental health problems.

This rooftop garden is home to over 150 species of native wildflowers, a picnic lawn, fruit trees, a scented garden, and even a beehive. The roof and café/bar are open from 10am until 11pm during the summer months.

It's still the best place to catch a Waterloo sunset, beer in hand.

The Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Bar & Café is a hidden gem in London, established in 2011 as part of the Festival of Britain anniversary. It's run by volunteers who have experienced homelessness, addiction, and mental health problems.

The roof garden is home to over 150 species of native wildflowers, which is a beautiful sight to behold. You can even spot a beehive on the premises.

The garden features a picnic lawn, fruit trees, and a scented garden, making it a perfect spot to relax and unwind. It's open from 10am until 11pm during the summer months.

The views of the Waterloo sunset from the roof bar are simply stunning, and it's a great place to grab a beer and enjoy the scenery.

To find San Francisco's secret gardens and rooftop parks, just keep your eyes open for signs like the one above, or don't be shy about walking into a building to enjoy a POPOS.

You can find these secret spots all over the city, and even in the financial district/Union Square/SOMA core of downtown San Francisco.

The city guide can help you pinpoint POPOS as well as public art.

Notable Projects showcase innovative designs that prioritize public spaces. Snøhetta's Airside Mixed-Use Project in Hong Kong is a great example of this.

This project features ample public areas and gardens, including outdoor plazas and rooftop gardens that can be used for events, dining, urban farming, and leisure.

The rooftop gardens in Airside are a unique feature, offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city.

Crossrail Place is a notable project that's often overlooked, but it's definitely worth checking out. The botanical garden on its roof is pretty impressive, providing a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Canary Wharf.

You can find plant species from countries like China and Japan, which is a great way to explore the world without leaving the city. The gardens are a great place to chill out on your lunch break and take a mini stroll around the globe.

Snøhetta's Airside Mixed-Use Project in Hong Kong features rooftop gardens that can be used for events, dining, urban farming, and leisure.

This mixed-use landmark boasts ample public areas and gardens, showcasing the potential of innovative rooftop designs.

Airside was the first project in Hong Kong to obtain five of the highest green building certifications, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in construction.

Pitched roofs and terraced lots or hillsides have been used for centuries to manage rainwater dispersal, redirection, and erosion.

Advancements in construction materials and techniques have led to greater design exploration and layout variations, resulting in more innovative uses of rooftops.

The staircase or terraced roof design often brings about a smooth continuity with the site, providing additional functional spaces to the project.

This design approach has been seen in various projects, offering a unique solution for rainwater management and erosion control.

Snøhetta's Airside Mixed-Use Project serves as a central hub in a redeveloped business district, integrating several sustainable practices into its design.

The project's rooftop gardens and public areas showcase the potential of mixed-use development and innovative rooftop designs.

Airside's green building certifications demonstrate the importance of sustainability in construction, setting a new standard for future projects.

James Corner Field Operations has completed a nearly 6,000 square foot rooftop garden in Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood.

The rooftop garden is located on top of a seventeen-story apartment complex designed by Leeser Architecture and developed by Two Trees Management.

The garden offers panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, East River, and Manhattan Skyline.

Residents of the apartment complex can access the rooftop garden, known as the Dock Street Rooftop Terrace.

A well-designed roof is essential for a public rooftop and garden to be both functional and beautiful. The roof's design should be able to withstand various weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and strong winds.

The slope of the roof is crucial in ensuring that water can easily flow off. A slope of at least 1:12 is recommended to prevent water accumulation.

Regular maintenance is necessary to extend the lifespan of the roof. This includes inspecting the roof for damaged or missing tiles, and repairing or replacing them as needed.

A waterproof membrane is usually installed on the roof to prevent water from seeping in. This membrane should be checked regularly to ensure it remains intact.

In some cases, a green roof may be installed, which requires additional maintenance to keep the plants healthy. This includes watering, pruning, and fertilizing the plants as needed.

Chicago and San Francisco have their own unique public rooftop and garden scenes. You can find San Francisco's secret gardens and rooftop parks all over the city.

In San Francisco, look for signs like the one that marks a POPOS, secret garden, or secret park. These signs can be hard to find, but they're a great clue to discovering these hidden gems.

Chicagoans and San Franciscans alike can explore their cities' rooftops and gardens with the right mindset and information. With an interactive map, you can see the locations of gardens and public art on a broader scale, including outside of the city core.

San Francisco's Sales Force Transit Center Park is a hidden gem, located 70 feet above the main transit hall. It's a 5+ acre rooftop oasis in the middle of downtown, with a walking loop and tons of benches for casual meetups.

You can access the park from Beale and Fremont to 1 and 2 streets, between Mission and Howard streets, just south of Market Street. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 8/9 p.m., or later.

The park features 13 different garden ecosystems with signage to help you understand the difference between plants from various regions, like Australia or the Mediterranean. It's like having a mini-tour of the world's flora right in the city.

The "Bus Fountain" is a fun feature, with 247 jets of water that shoot up whenever buses are coming or going. It's a great way to add some visual interest to the park.

A gondola used to transport visitors from the sidewalk to the roof, but it was shut down due to COVID.

You can find San Francisco's secret gardens and rooftop parks all over the city, but they can be hidden behind foreboding bank buildings or require some effort to access.

Take a look at the city guide to pinpoint POPOS (privately owned public open spaces) and public art, which can help you discover these hidden gems.

Some of these secret gardens and rooftop parks are even located in the financial district/Union Square/SOMA core of downtown San Francisco, like the one at 343 Sansome, which has a beautiful open area with flower boxes, tables, and chairs.

You can access the rooftop garden at 343 Sansome by telling the guard you're headed there, and it's worth it for the awesome sitting and relaxing experience.

The Embarcadero Center has three buildings with privately owned public parks and secret gardens, including one that runs the length of the buildings above street level, with beautifully landscaped nooks and crannies.

You can visit the Embarcadero Center's website to learn more about the art and sculptures on site and even access a self-guided tour.

The best time to visit some of these secret gardens and rooftop parks is on a dry, sunny, and wind-free day, but if that's not possible, try visiting earlier in the morning or later in the evening when there are fewer crowds.

I've never been to Chicago or San Francisco, but I've got some info that might help you navigate those cities. You can find the Garden at 120, which is actually located in London, not Chicago or San Francisco.

The Garden at 120 is on top of the Fen Court building at 120 Fenchurch Street, accessible from Fenchurch Street or Fenchurch Avenue.