All across the country, from San Francisco to New York, many residents in major metro areas are experiencing a lack of living space. If you want decent square footage, it often comes with a hefty price tag. Nowhere is this more true than in Los Angeles.
It's for this reason that building owners and luxury developers in L.A., who are lucky enough to have some backyard space to work with, are getting creative. A new trend in the city is elevated outdoor living spaces.
"Indoor/outdoor living is very much at home in Southern California," Mercedes Meserve, vice president of Marketing for Brookfield Residential, tells Housecall. "With the California Terrace, we literally elevated the concept to the second floor to create a breezy and roomy living space."
The idea of the indoor/outdoor isn't limited to just two levels. Some developers are taking their backyard space and elevating the area up three, four or five levels.
More terrace than patio or balcony, these upstairs backyards really provide residents the opportunity to make the space their own. Here are some photos that illustrate the design and functionality of these indoor/outdoor living spaces:
In Irvine, Calif., homes at the Beverly at Eastwood Village feature "California Terraces." The spaces are three-walled living areas with open fourth walls (no glass sliders).
Image: Beverly at Eastwood Village
Featured at Jewel—a collection of 14 luxury homes in Playa Vista, Calif.—this third floor loft is perfect for entertaining and includes a large outdoor kitchen.
Image: Hilton & Hyland
At 1150 Wilshire, which just recently opened in L.A., units include large-scale, wrap-around decks. Additionally, balconies recede from the building's facade, providing privacy.
Image: KTGY Architecture + Planning
As large cities in the U.S. become far more populated, expect to see outdoor living spaces such as these become more prevalent. Developers, does your building feature upstairs backyards?
