No one will ever use those balconies for more than a quick smoke. They are ornamental. The original version of the tower was less pretty, but had larger, terrace-like balconies nestled into corners that would have been very nice for relaxing. But why would anyone want that on the south-facing shore of a lake?
The balconies are larger than they look - what I am more concerned about is how this building looks once people's clutter, bikes, and balcony furniture gets put out. The building is going to look a lot messier.
Some UT members like the look of buildings better when they are spartan, and unlived-in, effectively. I think there's a limit to want you want to see on a balcony, but I certainly don't mind seeing places to sit down on them!
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(A corner of my balcony, where everything's hidden by translucent sandblasted glass:
Personally, when I'm on a balcony, I want to see the view through the glass. When I'm in my condo, I want to sit on my couch or at my dining room table and see the full skyline view not obscured by opaque or colored panels on the balcony. Clutter that people on the street through the balcony glass is a secondary concern.