Summer weather makes us all want to take a walk on the slower side — and, if we’re really lucky, poolside.
Take advantage of hybrid work policies, fully remote gigs or even an extended office break by getting out of your own four walls and setting up shop at one of these outdoor hubs.
Royalton Rooftop at Royalton Park Avenue Hotel
A few blocks from Madison Square Park, you’ll find peace and productivity (we hope) at the Royalton Rooftop at the Royalton Park Avenue Hotel.
“A big reason behind the launch of our membership program was to give New Yorkers an immersive Soho House-type experience, yet in a more flexible and affordable structure,” said Jonathan Knudsen, CEO of Concrete Hospitality Group.
Perks include the use of day lockers and access to weekly wellness classes, and with the Royalton Rooftop membership program, you can Zoom with the crew, host clients or draft that presentation from a balcony space.
Reward yourself for a job well done by a dip in the rooftop pool complete with views of the Empire State Building or a celebratory bite and cocktail (or both).
Weekly membership is $200; monthly is $750.
Work Heights
With six of seven locations across Brooklyn boasting outdoor workspaces and amenities, the Work Heights coworking startup is among the best for butterflies.
“Work Heights specializes in beautiful and functional garden workspaces,” said Sam Strauss-Malcolm, founder of Work Heights. “These spaces are built with outlets for every seat, strong Wi-Fi throughout and beautiful greenery and trees to keep our members shaded while they work or take meetings.”
Our top pick?
The Boerum Hill branch with three giant trees to keep those Zen vibes flowing and a hammock for a snooze bar.
Memberships start at $200 per month.
The Gallery at Untitled Hotel at 3 Freeman Alley
New as of spring 2023, the Gallery’s garden is a fun spot to bang out work on the Lower East Side.
It’s got all the accouterments of the LES: an exposed-brick backdrop, a retractable awning and hand-painted murals.
Plus, the Gallery has stellar coffee, freshly baked pastries, lunch fare and even access to coworking equipment like professional microphones to record your next podcast episode.
“I instantly fell in love when I stepped into this beautiful garden,” said Gadi Peleg, founder of GPG Hospitality, which manages the Untitled Hotel at 3 Freeman Alley, of the cozy space. “Some of the most productive, creative times that I have spent in the last few months have been in this hidden gem.”
Oh, and for the musically inclined, melt away work stress before you leave with one of the guitars available to borrow.
Camp David at Industry City
In Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, you can settle into Camp David’s buzzy coworking space, brimming with small business owners, freelancers and entrepreneurs.
Along with furnished workspaces, a state-of-the-art content creation and production studio, gym access and a cafe, there’s a lovely outdoor courtyard with Wi-Fi.
Actually, you could work just about anywhere in these parts as Industry City offers its tenants outdoor Wi-Fi throughout the 6-million-square-foot business park, if you feel like kicking back in this waterfront nabe.
Private offices start at $1,500 per month; assigned desks start at $600 per month.
High Line Hotel
Love Chelsea’s je ne sais quoi energy?
Grab a cuppa from Manhattan’s only Intelligentsia Coffee outpost inside the lobby of the High Line Hotel and then grab a seat in the outdoor front garden, back courtyard or even a spot on the bus, “Daisy the Double-Decker” — an original 1957 open-top red Leyland Titan from England — as HQ for the day.
As you connect to the area’s fastest Wi-Fi, you may be distracted by the views of the 10th Avenue-facing seasonal cocktail garden (outfitted with new landscaping) or people-watching the creative brass, writers and other workers amid the shuffle.
The outdoor front garden and back courtyard are free to use, but be a mensch and order drinks and light bites from servers in the front garden if you’re staying for a while.
Convene at 530 Fifth Ave.
A stone’s throw from Grand Central and Bryant Park, there’s a lot to like about this 116,000-square-foot Convene outpost (the brand has 13 locations in Manhattan), from a full-service cafe with a barista and a wellness center with fitness classes to community programming and snack stations aplenty.
The real warm-weather draw is the roomy terrace studded with greenery, couches, armchairs and large communal worktables.
Fast Wi-Fi ensures you crank through your to-dos with city views from your happy perch up on the 10th floor.
Rates start at $300 per month.
The Yard Lower East Side
Located on Delancey Street, The Yard Lower East Side is part of a larger network of 11 properties, nine of which are in Brooklyn and Manhattan (the remaining two are in Philly and DC).
The coworking community offers day passes starting at $35 and, for that, you’ll get Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, meeting rooms, phone booths and more, along with access to the coveted roof deck.
Jasmine Pierik, the Yard’s head of events, art program and member experience, loves the space.
“The rooftop at our Lower East Side location is easily my favorite spot across all our properties. When you are up there, you feel the city’s history, the charm of the neighborhood, and the scale of the city as you see the Freedom Tower with a pink sunset behind it,” she said, adding that the space also plays host to arts and culture programming.
Expect a hodgepodge of creatives and professionals from a wide range of industries, and people friendly enough that you’ll want to hang with them for said happenings.
Monthly memberships start at $300 per month.
