Anyone know what that long courtyard in front of a building is really called?

I have this fictional business in my story - with it's own building - but I can't think of the proper word to suggest that long bit of land in front of it.

 

Hmmmm... I'm not completely sure what specifically you are looking for, but I googled courtyard synonym and did some searching around and I think these words might be what you are looking for:

cloister, close, compass, curtilage, enclosure, forum, patio, piazza, plaza, quad, quadrangle, square, street

 

Well the courtyard is what contains a building and usually has a garden etc. right? Would it just no be a path? I am interested to know the answer because I have a similar location in my text and I definitely just use the word "path."

 

don't know if you really mean a 'courtyard'... when you say 'long' do you mean parallel to the building, or perpendicular?... and is this in a city setting, with buildings on both sides, or what?

 

There are many words and phrases, and each depends on exactly what you want to convey. You could call it a lawn, or you could call it a sward. A courtyard is typically fully or partially enclosed. A quadrangle is most commonly associated with a school or university, where it serves as both a recreational space and a place for gatherings. It could called a park or a green. It could be the landscape or landscaping, or even a garden, particularly if there are organized features (fountains, paths trees, hedges, statuary, etc) placed upon it.

With a grand mansion as its central feature, it can be the estate. With a farmhouse, it could be a field, a pasture, a plain, or a prairie. If it's in mounting levels, it could be a terrace. If it rises from one end to the other, it could be a green slope.

Not a question with one simple answer. Whether that's fortunate or not depends on your point of view, for example whether having many options is frustrating or an opportunity.

 

It's a building in a city - like say something as busy as New York - but the building is set back away from the street, approx 300 feet. The stretch of concrete is decorated with the usual sculptures , blossom trees , marble steps leading up to into the building. I was thinking promenade .....but it always calls to mind a dance step.

 

'plaza' is what those are usually called... google for 'office building plazas' in google images and you'll see a wide variety of them...

 

Thank you!

 

In England in can be called a forecourt

 

Sidewalk, Lawn, deck, patio, perimeter, primus, landing, slab, lot, lobby, foyer, garden, market, bizarre, outlet, etc.

Plaza works.

 

Very informative Cogito. I've always wondered what the differences were myself.