Press

A curious and increasingly visible trend is taking shape across New York: In a city where every square foot is treated like a precious commodity, a centuries-old architectural idea is quietly reshaping the skyline: the loggia.

Long associated with Renaissance Italy, the loggia offers a sheltered, recessed outdoor room, a form that blends privacy, usability, and architectural depth. Unlike balconies that project into the wind, loggias are carved into the building’s structure, creating spaces protected on three sides.

Nowadays, there are few new constructions where you can see this architectural sign, and Developers say this design resonates strongly with today’s buyers. “Loggias offer a level of comfort, privacy, and year-round usability that traditional terraces can’t match,” says Van Nguyen of JVP Development, developer of Sutton Tower. For residents, this means outdoor space that feels like a true extension of the home.

The trend is visible across several new towers on the Upper East Side, Sutton Place and Gramercy, where loggias are being used not only as amenities but as defining architectural features. “Outdoor space commands a premium in New York,” notes Danielle Naftali of Naftali Group, developer of The Willow. “A well-designed loggia adds character and gives a residence a sense of individuality.”

Architectural designers view the loggia as a return to substance after years of glass-box uniformity. For Thomas Juul-Hansen, architectural designer of Sutton Tower, the loggia is both functional and expressive: “It shelters from wind and rain while giving the façade rhythm and depth.” Rick Cook of COOKFOX Architects, the design architect of The Willow, describes it as “the perfect balance between refuge and connection to nature,” a principle rooted in biophilic design.

As the city reflects on what makes urban life truly livable, the loggia has emerged as a new benchmark: in a skyline obsessed with novelty, it proves that even in New York, old ideas can feel surprisingly modern.