The raised garden has become one of the most coveted typologies in the Rio real estate market – and not without reason. The apartments with private outdoor space located on an elevated floor combine the space of a traditional garden with the advantages of height. Unlike the garden, which is at street level, the elevated garden offers more privacy, sunlight, ventilation and an increased sense of security, while preserving its essence: an outdoor space for the exclusive use of the resident.
Living in a garden brings a hybrid experience: it is an apartment by definition, but it has the soul of a house. More than a garden or a balcony, this model practically brings the characteristics of a roof to a conventional unit. — Whether it’s a front or back apartment, there is always a sense of space built into the room. The outdoor space allows multiple possibilities, such as a swimming pool or a gourmet space. This is a very positive difference — says Eduardo Cruz, director of Emma/Itten, who has proven the success of the typology in the development of Praia, in Barra da Tijuca.
For Jomar Monnerat, partner at RJDI and responsible for the Soul Rio collection, the up garden is a natural evolution of the traditional garden. For him, the success of the model is directly linked to the combination of generous outdoor space with the privacy and security that the ground floor does not offer. In projects in the Soul Rio range, the up gardens are generally sold before the other units.
— The client began to value private outdoor spaces even more after the pandemic, and the raised garden meets exactly that desire. That’s why it’s gaining so much traction in the market, he says. This perception is shared by Thiago Soares, director of The Inc Incorporações and manager of Carioca Lapa by The Inc. For him, the attraction of the high garden is strong both for those who are going to live there and for those who want to rent.
— With a swimming pool, gourmet area and warm atmosphere, the typology perfectly matches Rio’s way of welcoming. For short-stay guests, especially those traveling with family, having a private yard is a big attraction, he points out.
The director of Calper Construtora, Niceli Maini, confirms the trend. At Arte Wood, located in the planned Cidade Arte district, in Barra, the up gardens recorded an exceptional commercial performance. — The upper garden manages to combine the warmth and practicality of a house with the security and cost/benefit ratio of an apartment. People see it as an advantage not being at street level, which creates more comfort, reduces urban noise and gives a greater sense of privacy, he says.
In Azo Inc.’s recent launches, the success of garden up was also evident. For Bruno Mota, the company’s business and finance director, this is happening because the public increasingly wants free space, nearby nature and relaxing environments – and developers have realized that the traditional garden, an object of desire driven by the pandemic, could have a more sophisticated version.
— The upper garden is an evolution of the typology of the ground floor. It offers a large outdoor space, which can serve as a balcony, backyard or landscaping space, with the advantage of height and view, in many cases – he emphasizes. Among developers and construction companies, the consensus is absolute: the up garden has established itself as one of the most appreciated typologies of contemporary residential in Rio.
By combining the best of both worlds – the practicality and security of the apartment with the outdoor environment and space of a home – it responds to the search for a quality of life that goes well beyond square footage. It is the translation of a new lifestyle, in which outdoor space is no longer a complement but occupies a central place.
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