Beyond its vertiginous skyscrapers, New York is dotted with unlikely architectural gems.

From cafés on railway tracks to lofts for hire, previously derelict locales have been repurposed into playgrounds for the discerning — breaking new ground in the realm of sustainable spaces.

Farm and Dine

Manhattan may be an island, but opportunities for dining with a waterfront view are few and far between. Enter Riverpark, a Kips Bay restaurant overlooking the East River. Its garden-like surroundings accentuate the menu, which features just-picked fresh produce from its own farm, perched on the roof of a stalled construction site next door. Riverpark: 450 E 29th Street; 212-729-9790

Underground Sake Den

There are underground bars, and then there is Sakagura. This sake institution is tucked within the inner cavities of a drab office building, accessed by navigating through an unmarked lobby, down some stairs and finally a basement corridor. For your effort, you will be rewarded with over 200 varieties of sake, and refuge from the madding crowd above. Sakagura: 211 E 43rd Street, B1; 212-953-7253

A Lofty Event

Loft living is the quintessential New York experience. The cavernous layout of converted warehouses offers the city’s biggest luxury — space. From Andy Warhol’s The Factory to fashion wunderkind Alexander Wang’s Tribeca pad, lofts like Studio 450 are the ultimate venues for glam gatherings. Today, they can be rented to those seeking a chic address for hosting one-of-a-kind events. Studio 450: 450 West 31st Street, 12th floor; 212-290-1400

The High Line

A walk on the High Line – an abandoned, elevated railroad that has been converted into a park – feels like you are traipsing through a verdant oasis floating above Manhattan’s busy streets. Stretching through the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen, the meandering ribbon of public space is home to industrial-chic structures and site-specific artworks. The High Line: 212-500-6035