Owing to her lead role in the hit nineties sitcom Friends, Jennifer Aniston has long been synonymous with New York. Though the actress, 55, actually lives in Bel Air, her at-home life was once a case of life imitating art as she formerly owned a glamorous $11 million penthouse at 299 West 12th Street in the West Village, a neighborhood famed for its artistic residents and designer boutiques – very Rachel Green.
The crowning glory of the space remains its incredible rooftop garden featuring a solarium and breathtaking panoramic views of the Hudson River, West Village, FiDi, Meatpacking District, and even Hudson Yards.
“Jennifer’s former garden does a great job at maximising the space available and it’s really practical,” Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk tells us. “The pergola is a great way to get some added shade to help protect plants that don’t like being in the harsh, direct sunlight. Vertical structures like this and trellises are another way to maximise gardening space because you can introduce climbing plants and add even more colour and greenery.”
Meanwhile, Kunal Trehan, interior designer and founder of Touched Interiors, is taken in by the garden’s architectural structure.
The garden’s architectural structure
“The white conservatory-style pavilion brings a refined, almost romantic character to the space, contrasting beautifully with the surrounding brickwork and the modern city skyline beyond,” he says. “This combination of classical charm and contemporary views creates a garden that feels both timeless and distinctive.
“The planting is equally well considered,” he adds. “Rather than forcing a manicured look, it embraces the charm of container gardening with terracotta pots and timber planters. These materials bring warmth and texture underfoot, while the mix of evergreens, herbs, and flowering plants gives life and movement throughout the seasons.”