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Originally Posted by 10023
I don't see the point of balconies.
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uhhhh, as i've said like a dozen times now.......
GRILLED MEAT!
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Originally Posted by 10023
There isn't enough room to gather with friends, or really use the space.
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my balcony is 175 S.F. and has ample room to gather with friends. i have a table and chairs set that seats up to 8 people and 2 lounge chairs. no, i wouldn't throw a raging party out there or anything, but at this stage of my life, i actually much prefer chilling with a smaller group of good friends than the old beer bong/keg stand idiocy festivals of my youth.
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Originally Posted by 10023
There is no benefit of fresh air that you can't get from opening a big window.
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i would disagree, at least with respect to my tiny unit. i only have window exposure on one wall, so i don't get cross breezes in my place, whereas as the balcony is often a joyous delight of cooling cross breezes on those sweltering chicago summer evenings.
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Originally Posted by 10023
I think the only time I used it was to go out for a smoke, and most people don't smoke.
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i don't smoke anymore (i quit about a year ago), but i have plenty of friends and relatives who still do and it's nice for them to be able to smoke when they're over without having to go all the way back down to the ground floor.
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Originally Posted by 10023
A terrace, on the other hand, is a very nice thing to have - but these are typically found with pre-war apartments on one of the top floors where there are setbacks, and also don't have the aesthetic drawbacks of balconies.
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we must have different architectural tastes because the balconies on marina city are anything but an "aesthetic drawback", in fact they are one of the dominant design gestures of the entire composition. marina city doesn't work without its stacked semi-circular balconies.
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Originally Posted by 10023
Terraces also have the major benefit of not having another one directly overhead, so there's direct sunlight.
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i am not a fan of direct sunlight. not having the balcony above me to provide ample shade on my balcony would be a huge drawback for me, not a benefit.
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Originally Posted by 10023
Basically, I feel most people think they need a balcony when they're not accustomed to living in a highrise, but don't use it.
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perhaps that's true for "most people", but i discovered long ago that i am quite a different creature from this group known as "most people". i not only love and use my balcony, there is no way in hell i would ever live in any structure (highrise, apartment block, courtyard building, 3-flat, etc.) without dedicated outdoor space to chill and grill. as i learned in the apartment i had up in wrigleyville that had no deck, patio, balcony or terrace, i simply can't be a happy person without some outdoor space.