Following the success of their design for Arlo’s ground-floor lounge, Stonehill Taylor has extended that same convivial spirit skyward. The result is a Parisian wine bar refracted through the lens of NoMad’s eclectic streetwear scene, where every design gesture feels at once intentional and unforced. Back-to-back banquettes define cozy seating alcoves, while sculptural furnishings and dense greenery shape an atmosphere of intimate sociability. From nearly every vantage point, guests are treated to cinematic skyline views – most notably, a striking alignment with the Empire State Building, rendered almost as part of the décor itself.

The design’s chromatic language feels particularly deliberate. Muted sage greens and sun-washed yellows establish a palette that nods to the city’s architectural patina while infusing the terrace with an understated warmth. This tonal restraint is enlivened by tactile flourishes: painted pavers, textural plantings, and terrazzo-topped tables by Concrete Collaborative. Chairs sourced from Beam and luminous fixtures from Schoolhouse punctuate the space with layers of visual rhythm, their finishes balancing the raw with the refined. The effect is immersive yet effortlessly approachable – a rare equilibrium between precision and play.

A key moment of artistry unfolds along the once-blank walls, now animated by a hand-painted mural created by a local artist. Its dreamlike imagery introduces a touch of surrealism, grounding the terrace in NoMad’s artistic and experimental energy. The mural doesn’t merely decorate; it anchors the rooftop within the creative topography of its neighbourhood, bridging hospitality design and urban art culture.

Stonehill Taylor’s attention to light proves equally meticulous. The team replaced the outdated sconces with an elevated lighting scheme that shifts gracefully from day to night. During golden hour, the fixtures radiate a warm, diffused glow that amplifies the texture of materials and the vitality of colour. As evening descends, the light softens, mirroring the easy intimacy of a late-night European café.

Despite its compact footprint, the rooftop feels expansive—an open-air living room suspended in the skyline. Planters and low walls trace the perimeter, cultivating a sense of enclosure without diminishing the panoramic drama. Guests can wander toward the glass “sky walk,” where a transparent floor offers a vertiginous glimpse of the city streets below—a small thrill that encapsulates the space’s balance between poise and playfulness.

In contrast to many of New York’s ultra-curated rooftop venues, A.R.T. NoMad (as the rooftop bar is aptly named) cultivates an unpretentious allure. The design invites lingering rather than posturing. Patrons can sip signature cocktails or a refreshing frosé while sampling a rotating selection of Middle Eastern–inspired light bites, all within a milieu that feels at once elevated and democratic. It is, quite deliberately, a rooftop without pretence – a sanctuary for locals and travellers alike who crave atmosphere over ostentation.