I see many houses/some large with doors that would simply open out from the top floor onto nothing on older?

Question

buildings... why are they there?? at first i wondered if it was for deliveries of some sort[on a hospt] but ive seen quite a few on other houses--all older homes tho..

Answer 1

Maybe the patio/balcony/spiral staircase was in the design, or under construction, and then they ran out of money to complete it?

Answer 2

Some older houses had balconies, etc but have been removed and no one ever bothered to board up the door.