A pergola that makes your terrace feel like a destination.
Pergolas are having a moment across NYC for a reason. They don’t just look good, they solve real city problems: harsh summer sun, wind on tall buildings, privacy lines, and the need to create “zones” in tight outdoor footprints. A pergola turns an open terrace into a destination: morning coffee, late lunches, a glass of wine after work, and dinner that feels like you escaped the city without leaving it.
Garden Design NYC is led by Todd Haiman, a Brooklyn-born landscape designer known for crafting bespoke outdoor spaces that balance architecture, horticulture, and how New Yorkers actually live. Todd holds a Master of Science in Landscape Design from Columbia University and trained at the New York Botanical Garden. His work has been recognized through design awards and exhibitions, and he’s been highlighted by Architectural Digest for creating outdoor spaces that make the most of limited square footage while staying deeply personal to the client’s lifestyle.
Our work has been consistently recognized for its innovation and quality:
These accolades underscore a commitment to design integrity, sustainability, and timeless outdoor spaces.
A pergola in New York isn’t a simple “add-on.” Done right, it’s part architecture, part experiential design, part city logistics. Here’s why working with a dedicated pergola designer in New York matters:
We visit the residence, listen closely to your goals, aspirations, site challenges, and discuss typical budget ranges.
You receive a clear, fixed-fee proposal outlining scope and how we’ll work together, from concept through final landscape plan.
We share concept options with precedent imagery, sketches, and renderings; together we develop themaster plan; a true blueprint for layout, hardscape, planting, pergolas, furnishings, and site amenities.
We coordinate with engineers, architects, and expediters; we advocate for you so submissions remain compliant and your design intent stays intact.
We ensure the design intent and construction methods offer a clear direction for all to follow beginning with you the client. Detailed drawings, sections, planting plans, lighting specs, and material schedules — offer the technical clarity contractors need to build and install.
We issue coordinated technical sets and assemble line-item cost guides; then we help phase and value-engineer without compromising design quality.
We schedule, manage, and review workmanship, collaborating with best-in-class fabricators and trades. (You are welcome to use your preferred contractors as well.)
A tailored maintenance plan and optional long-term site wardship keeps the garden performing beautifully as it matures.
A penthouse urban oasis
Our client, a couple with teenage sons, sought an exterior series of rooms to become an extension of their indoor space, for family dining/relaxing, a space to entertain large groups. They asked for us to create an artistic pergola as a focal point. We created a rooftop garden design that balances art with functional, modern NYC living:
The result is a tranquil retreat with multiple sweeping views, a rooftop garden that is both aesthetic and deeply meaningful.
You’re not hiring us for a pergola. You’re hiring us for the result: a space that feels intentional, calm, and undeniably New York.
1) Do I need a permit to build a pergola in NYC?
Often, yes, depending on where it’s located (sightline from the street, building codes, landmarks districting, etc ), how it’s attached, size/height, and building requirements. We’ll help you understand what applies to your property and map a clean path forward.
2) What’s the difference between a pergola, gazebo, and pavilion?
A pergola is typically an open-roof structure (slatted or louvered) designed for filtered light and partial shade. A gazebo is usually fully roofed and more “standalone.” A pavilion tends to be larger and more architectural, often with a solid roof and heavier structure.
3) Can you design a pergola for a rooftop or terrace?
Yes. Rooftop pergolas are popular in NYC, but they need careful planning around wind exposure, placement, and overall site coordination.
4) What materials work best for pergolas in New York weather?
Common options include premium woods (often chosen for warmth and character) and metal solutions (often chosen for crisp, modern lines and durability). The “best” choice depends on exposure, maintenance preference, and the look you’re after.
5) Can a pergola include a retractable canopy, heaters, or lighting?
Absolutely. Many NYC pergolas are designed as complete outdoor rooms, can be bioclimactic, with integrated lighting, shade systems, privacy screens, and comfort upgrades for shoulder seasons.
6) How long does a pergola project usually take?
Timelines vary based on complexity, approvals, fabrication, and seasonality. We’ll outline a realistic schedule after the initial consultation and site review.