12 Sensational Skyline Views
Starry eyes aren't just for glossy kitchens and expansive bathrooms. These swoonworthy skylines show the wonders of city designs
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City.... More »
One of the ironies of living is a city is that everybody wants a view, but most people look at a brick wall about 10 feet out their window. Such was my first apartment in New York City, and while my second apartment overlooks a street, my only distant view is the uprights of a bridge ... if I press my nose to the glass. Everybody wants that drop-dead city view, but only a few ever get it. Regardless, it's still nice to drool over some of the skyline views that the people who can afford them get. This article highlights some of those views, basking in other people's pleasures.
by Axis Mundi
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This gut renovation of a duplex near Astor Place in Manhattan looks north toward the Empire State Building (left). The spire of Grace Church and other buildings near Union Square sit in the foreground. They all culminate in a dramatic view with plenty of ups and downs.
The flowers may be the point of this photo, but I'm drawn to the midtown Manhattan skyline. Very few people can boast of views of both the Chrysler Building (left) and the Empire State Building (right). Why block that view with flowers?
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| This bedroom in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood takes advantage of river views. I like the way the buildings across the water seem to be propped upon the guardrail outside the window. |
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| On par with New York City views are ones in San Francisco, where there is a stronger city-nature balance. This grand vista reaches beyond the city to distant hills. |
This photo gives the impression that the kitchen and the street illuminated below serve to point to the distant island.
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| Having a view where one can glimpse a suspension bridge from one end to the other means, among other things, the only direction from there is down. |
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| Even in my old hometown of Chicago, my best view was of the Sears Tower miles away if I poked my head out the kitchen window. This view of the Sears Tower from the north, with the Merchandise Mart in between, is just magnificent. |
I'm not sure in what city this building is located, but it appears to be one of the tallest around. Views through the generous glass walls extend to a bay in the distance, and beyond even.
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| But not all city views need be of rooftops. This loft in Houston looks into the middle of distant buildings, flatting them into a painting-like canvas on the window. |
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| Previous examples looked outside from inside, but the last few step onto terraces to take in views that are even more expansive. This rooftop deck just west of the bend of the Chicago River has a great view of the curving 333 Wacker Drive and other Loop buildings to the south. |
| Dallas may not boast as distinctive a skyline as New York, Chicago or San Francisco, but it's still one to be taken advantage of in the right situation. This generous rooftop takes in all of the downtown skyscrapers. |
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| And lastly, I stand corrected in saying one can only go down from a view of a whole suspension bridge. One can go up to the roof and take in the view and the sky above! |
Comments
SPACIFY INC, You are amazing! I love all the beautiful ideabooks!!!
12 months ago · Like
seanufer Very interesting collection of skylines. I would definitely like to see more articles like this one.
12 months ago · Like
kuva Look outside the US... The Sydney harbor skyline is great...
12 months ago · Like
Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR Very funny about pressing your nose to the glass just to get the uprights of a bridge in view! My last home had a lovely city view ... of a jail. I have to admit that it was a well designed jail in modern style. But it was still a jail. Lucky people who have those beautiful city views. I love my forest and river view, but at night it is black, so those twinkling lights are one thing a city view has over a country view.
12 months ago · Like
Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Who doesn't love a skyline? What a great mini vacation, thanks John. Great pics! Charmean Neithart
12 months ago · Like
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June Dimmock just Beautiul
12 months ago · Like
ofridon The city you weren't sure about looks like Haifa (Israel).
12 months ago · Like
lilylai82 just beautiful..
12 months ago · Like
Elena Vega So gorgeous and inspiring! I walk up three flights every day, weighed down by groceries etc., just to have expansive views of the ocean and the city. They're irreplaceable!
12 months ago · Like
Alicia J. I love new york interior design! IThat is fantastic and so got
9 months ago · Like
Susan Portz I bet Vancouver, BC would have some views to rival all of these.
9 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on June 13, 2012.
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