Living the High Life: Luxury Roof Deck Amenities on NJ’s Gold Coast

By Lisa Troyano-Ascolese – Licensed Real Estate Agent with Engel & Volkers Hoboken

It is no shock that New Jersey’s Gold Coastline has seen tremendous development over recent years. Large buildings adorned in pristine glass and steel are popping up everywhere you look, each one more architecturally stunning than the last. What most people do not see as they pass these sky-scraping stunners are the exquisite rooftop spaces that keep their inhabitants happy and far from yearning for the suburban landscapes they are pressured to retreat to. Hoboken in particular has led the desirable urban development push with record increases in prices year over year. Fueled by low inventory and high demand, this square mile real estate market perfect storm has now led to its neighboring cities expanding at a similar pace. Developers know they have to accommodate professionals who want to continue living the city life long after their families expand, and as a result, the community-living aspect in new buildings has transformed. Roof decks now include pools facing the iconic Manhattan skyline, lounging environments, grill areas and more. The design of these spaces deserves recognition in their own right—all we ask you to do is look up.

1400 Hudson
1400 Hudson St, Hoboken, NJ
Toll Brothers City Living’s newest uptown Hoboken project, slated for completion in a few months, sets the standard for Hoboken roof-deck amenities. This space showcases your typical grill areas, pools, and outdoor community lounges, but this building’s brand new addition to the roof-deck community will be expertly designed as only Toll Brothers City Living can do. The 10th-story pool boasts vistas of the Hudson River and features a separate outdoor terrace with fire pit, television, and outdoor lounge area.  Uniquely, Toll Brother’s will offer private roof-deck cabanas available for purchase alongside their coveted homes. The option to purchase private roof-deck cabanas complete with furniture, private gas lines, water, and electrical hook ups, helps create an amazing communal roof-deck atmosphere.

Maxwell Place
1025, 1125, 1100 Maxwell Ln, Hoboken, NJ

This eventual four-building juggernaut (three buildings currently completed) features several roof environments all including pools, grills, and community rooms overlooking the city. Toll Brothers City Living designed these condominiums with the luxury urban professional in mind so it is no surprise that this complex set the stage in Hoboken for luxury rooftop accommodations.  In their most recently completed building, 1100 Maxwell Lane, owners enjoy flat screen TVs, bar areas, private roof cabanas and a crystal clear pool.

1450 Washington & Harborside Lofts:
1450 Washington St, & 1500 Garden St Hoboken, NJ
Standing proudly on their own, yet recognized as a joint community, these two buildings were among the first condominium properties in Hoboken to showcase this level of luxury roof-deck amenities. One could argue grills, rich teak furniture, city views and a modern fireplace became the standard offerings on luxury condominium rooftops shortly after these two properties were constructed. This was also where the concept of private cabana ownership originated as buyers could purchase rooftop spaces in addition to their condos.

The Pearl & The Glass House:
The Pearl | 45 River Rd, Edgewater NJ 07020 & The Glass House | 3 Somerset Ln  Edgewater, NJ 07020
Our northernmost luxury buildings featured here are The Pearl and (soon to be constructed) Glass House buildings sending Bergen County flying into the luxury Gold Coast conversation. The 120 oversized units at The Pearl boast unobstructed views of a northern Manhattan skyline adorned with well thought out layouts and luxury amenities. While this roof deck does not include a pool, they’ve created a stunning outdoor retreat for their owners where form and functionality meet.  The new Glass House project will have 107 luxury residences, 15 of which will be townhomes. The property itself will include a pool overlooking Manhattan, cabanas, a lounge area and more, all done in a beautifully modern design ensconced in glass.

The Oakman:
160 First St Jersey City, NJ
The Oakman is a luxury condominium building developed by The Shuster Group in the historic Downtown Jersey City Powerhouse Arts District. Designed by Fogarty Finger Architects, The Oakman features a 14-story, industrial-inspired design that respects the neighborhood and provides an intimate, boutique setting. The Oakman’s full suite of amenities offers a well-rounded lifestyle that blends urban sophistication with sought-after privacy.  The incredible rooftop here includes spectacular views of New York City buildings and features a landscaped rooftop terrace with a sparkling pool, BBQ area, sunbathing expanse, outdoor shower and an adjacent entertainment room with a fireplace, lounge and kitchen.  One of the most impressive offerings at The Oakman is its one-of-a-kind Villa residence featuring an indoor/outdoor living and entertaining space including a private split-level terrace and heated pool.  The 3,369 square-foot full-floor, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath residence also features private, keyed elevator access directly into the Villa.  The expansive entertaining area extends outdoors, where more than 2,200 square feet of private terrace and rooftop space with a pool, fireplace and seating area awaits with the NYC skyline consistently in view.

 The Avenue Collection:
1200 Avenue at Port Imperial, Weehawken, NJ
The Avenue Collection describes itself as a new generation of chic condominium living that blends a modern, urban lifestyle with hotel-inspired amenities. With the first boutique, 74-unit building sold out, Lennar is currently selling residences at the 103-unit 1200 Avenue at Port Imperial. On the seventh floor, the Skyline Social Room features a lounge space, catering kitchen, bar, multiple gathering areas with a fireplace, sound system and televisions; an internet lounge and more — all set against the stunning backdrop of the New York City skyline. Let’s remember a “roof” deck doesn’t always have to be on the top floor. Outside, a dramatic third-floor landscaped plaza offers an expansive open-air space that includes a sun shelf swimming pool, sun deck with outdoor showers, pool house with catering bar and restrooms, open lawn and garden spaces with multiple seating areas, and a fire pit with motorized shade trellis.

It’s clear why living the city life is gaining more traction among the young professional buyer market. Exquisite form and superb functionality allow professionals to live with ease and these fabulous outdoor community spaces allow them to do that without compromising their desire for the outdoors. You can be in Manhattan in a matter of minutes, and more importantly, be home with your loved ones quickly at the end of the work day. Some say we will always have the need for the suburban lifestyle at some point during our lives, and these luxury communities are devoted to helping their residents achieve that balance right along New Jersey’s Gold Coast.