For a city with such agreeable weather, publicly accessible rooftop terraces aren't easy to find. But, those living and working in SoMa will be pleased to hear that the neighborhood's newest privately-owned public open space sits 17-stories-high on the roof of the newly-completed Hampton Inn at 942 Mission St.

POPOS are publicly accessible spaces — like plazas, terraces and atriums — that are provided and maintained by private developers. Since 1985, large office and retail developments downtown have been required to include one, thanks to the city's Downtown Plan.

To make your way to the Hampton Inn POPOS, enter through either the Mission or Jessie street doors, where you'll find plaques highlighting the terrace's existence. The Mission Street plaque is primarily covered by a piece of paper — likely meant to deter crowds from forming on the still under-development terrace. But don't let that deter you. A Hampton Inn employee who greeted us at the door said the hotel and open space debuted last Friday, and the public is more than welcome to hop in the elevator and head on up. Just watch your step, and kindly steer clear of the ongoing construction zone.

Finishing touches are indeed in the works. Upon stepping out onto the patio, you'll notice a few holes in the flooring in one corner.

And one large section remains off-limits. 

Visitors can take a seat on a number of benches built into structures around the terrace's interior or wander around the exterior to take in 360-degree views of the city.

While the terrace isn't even a week old yet, neighbors are beginning to take notice. On our afternoon visit, two employees of Giant Pixel, a tech company located next door, were checking out the space for the first time. Philip said he had been watching the hotel rise since construction began in 2013 and had no idea a rooftop POPOS was in the plans. He and and his colleague Kattya, sandwiches in hand, spotted the Jessie Street plaque and decided to investigate. After perusing the space and views for a few minutes, Kattya said she'd like to see more seating and greenery.

Next-door neighbors Philip & Kattya, taking in the views of the Financial District.

Earlier this year, much attention was paid to SoMa's POPOS, as District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim introduced an ordinance that would allow developers unable to satisfy their POPOS obligations to pay $87.84 per square foot, which would go toward funding a POPOS off-site. If approved, the Planning Code amendment could potentially apply it retroactively, allowing sites like the Intercontinental Hotel at Fifth and Howard Streets — where the "utility and quality" of two public terraces are in question — to pay the fee and turn their public spaces private.

However, the public hearing scheduled for February 12th was postponed, and Daniel Yadegar, ‎a legislative aide to Supervisor Kim, tells Hoodline that her office has dropped the matter. "While the Supervisor did indeed introduce legislation that might allow developers to pay a fee in lieu of providing onsite POPOS, it appears that the fee structure proposed was not agreeable to those developers interested and the conversation has more or less stopped there," he said via email. "The Supervisor was interested in exploring the possibility of an in-lieu fee, but without interest from the development community it is not something she would want to pursue. She does not plan to bring this amendment back to the Planning Commission."

So, what does this mean for the Intercontinental's POPOS? We'll let you know as soon as we learn more. In the meantime, head on up to Hampton Inn's rooftop terrace and let us know what you think.