As you walk around the City, especially away from Mid-town look up and see the Fire Escapes on many of the buildings.
It was a guest from Europe who suggested the buildings would be more attractive without this lattice work distorting the front architecture.
Although fire insurance apparently originated in the city of Philadelphia, followed by other cities, including New York, only this City appears to have created such an obvious use of another sort of insurance.
On some of the landings of the fire escapes you will notice mini gardens of plants and flowers.
On others you will see tables and chairs and barbeques!