I disagree, not everybody needs or wants a balcony, especially in an apartment building (condos are a different story).
In my building, nearly every unit has a balcony, and I'm one of the few people who actually uses it. Yes, I use mine in winter. I love rain and cold weather.
However, the outdoor terrace on the 5th floor gets used year round. From April-October somebody is having a BBQ or a birthday party or picnic etc. daily. In the winter months, people cozy up by the fire pit and play pool and watch sports inside the common room. There's people who go out there and sunbathe or just to have lunch, something that can easily be done from our balconies but people would rather go out there because the atmosphere is more open and green.