Birch and Basil Design

Turn your underutilized rooftop or terrace into a vibrant, functional outdoor living room with our specialized design service. In Manhattan, where square footage is precious, we maximize every inch to create multi-functional spaces for dining, entertaining, relaxing, and even working alfresco.

This service is perfect for penthouse owners, condo boards looking to enhance building amenities, and commercial properties seeking to provide unique outdoor spaces for employees or clients. We start with a comprehensive site analysis, considering sun exposure, wind patterns, weight loads, and drainage—critical factors often overlooked in urban settings.

Our process involves collaborative visioning, 3D conceptual designs, and meticulous plant selection focusing on species that thrive in container gardens and exposed conditions. We integrate elements like custom-built cedar planters, irrigation systems, outdoor kitchens with gas grills, ambient lighting, and durable, weather-resistant furnishings. Why choose Birch and Basil? Our principal is a certified arborist and horticulturist, ensuring your garden is designed not just for immediate impact, but for long-term health and sustainability, creating a lush, private escape high above the streets of Manhattan.

Reclaim your private outdoor haven with a complete backyard transformation tailored to the unique architecture and lifestyle of Manhattan townhouse living. We convert cramped, outdated yards into elegant extensions of your home, perfect for family gatherings, intimate dinners, or serene retreats.

This service is designed for homeowners in Brooklyn Heights, Manhattan, and surrounding boroughs who are ready to invest in their property's value and their quality of life. We handle everything from initial demolition and new patio installation to the final planting of perennial gardens. Our holistic approach often includes designing and building custom cedar seating and planter boxes, installing sophisticated outdoor kitchens with premium materials like soapstone counters, and creating cozy raised deck areas that integrate with mature existing trees.

We specialize in a layered planting philosophy, preserving valuable mature specimens while introducing a rich tapestry of new perennials, shrubs, and ornamental trees for year-round interest. Choosing Birch and Basil means partnering with a team that respects the historical context of your home while implementing modern, durable landscaping solutions. We manage the entire project, ensuring a seamless process from concept to completion, resulting in a backyard that feels like it was always meant to be.

Elevate your property's aesthetic and functional value with our comprehensive landscape design services for both high-end residential and commercial clients across Manhattan. We create immersive outdoor environments that reflect your brand's identity or your home's personal style.

For commercial clients like financial firms, restaurants like Casa Cruz, or residential buildings, we design amenity terraces that become key selling points—spaces for employee wellness, client entertainment, or tenant enjoyment. For residential clients, we craft deeply personal gardens that tell your story, whether it's a modern minimalist terrace or a lush, ivy-clad Beaux-Arts townhouse garden.

Our process is deeply consultative. We begin by understanding your goals, usage patterns, and aesthetic preferences. From there, we develop master plans that address hardscaping, lighting, irrigation, furniture, and, most importantly, a cohesive planting scheme. We are experts in sourcing and installing large specimen trees and evergreens to create instant impact and privacy. As a boutique firm, Birch and Basil offers a level of personalized attention and creative detail that larger firms cannot match. Our founder's direct involvement in every project guarantees a design that is innovative, executable, and maintained to the highest standard, making us the preferred choice for discerning clients in Manhattan.