Sky-High Luxury: Inside The World's Highest Penthouses
In the rarefied world of ultra-luxury real estate, the penthouses crowning the world's tallest skyscrapers set a new standard for elevated living—to its most literal and breathtaking heights. These soaring sanctuaries combine ultimate privacy, prestige, and panoramic views to redefine the very definition of living the high life.
From New York's Billionaires' Row to the glittering heights of Dubai's skyline, we journey through the highest penthouses on earth—spaces that don't just rise above the city, but above convention itself. More than mere residences at altitude, they testaments to human ambition and architectural artistry.
Rising above Manhattan's vibrant NoMad district, the SkyHouse at 172 Madison Avenue crowns a 33-story luxury tower soaring 450 feet (137 meters). This three-story penthouse spans over 5,500 square feet of interior space, complemented by 3,000 square feet of private terraces. A 23-foot-high living room ceiling, a glass-walled private elevator, and a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool and Jacuzzi define urban sophistication on one of the world's most iconic avenues. Completed in 2017, the building offers residents a 67-foot saltwater lap pool, spa facilities, a fitness center, and a pet spa. Building Height: 450 ft (137 m) Floors: 33 Penthouse Level: 32–33 Completed: 2017
Perched atop Monaco's tallest residential tower, the Sky Penthouse at Tour Odéon redefines Mediterranean luxury. Spanning the top 5 floors of the 560-foot (170-meter), 49-story skyscraper, this 38,000-square-foot, five-level residence features five bedrooms, three staff quarters, and five kitchens. Its pièce de résistance is a rooftop terrace with a circular infinity pool and waterslide, offering panoramic views of the azure Mediterranean. The penthouse's opulent interiors, private elevator, and prime location in Monte Carlo's Golden Square cement its status as one of the world's most coveted addresses. With an estimated value of $335 million (in 2021), this luxury penthouse is one of the most expensive homes in the world. Building Height: 560 ft (170 m) Floors: 49 Penthouse Level: 45–49 Completed: 2015
Soaring 802 feet (244.5 meters) above San Francisco, the Grand Penthouse at 181 Fremont occupies the entire top floor of the Bay Area's tallest mixed-use tower. This 6,941-square-foot residence features four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a grand salon, a home gym, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and Salesforce Tower. A private elevator grants access to exclusive amenities, including a fitness center and residents' lounge. Read More Forever 21 plans nearly 200 store closures in second bankruptcy Building Height: 802 ft (244.5 m) Floors: 56, plus 5 basement floors Penthouse Level: 56 Completed: 2018
In Tribeca, one of New York's trendiest neighborhoods, the penthouse at 56 Leonard crowns a 57-story, 821-foot (250-meter) skyscraper designed by Herzog & de Meuron. Spanning approximately 8,000 square feet across floors 56 and 57, this residence features four bedrooms, expansive terraces, and 360-degree views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. Its sculptural interiors, soaring ceilings, and private elevator embody artistic luxury, complemented by amenities like a 75-foot pool and theater. Building Height: 821 ft (250 m) Floors: 57 Penthouse Level: 56–57 Completed: 2017
Crowning the 951-foot (290-meter) Guoco Tower, Singapore's tallest building, the Wallich Residence triplex penthouse spans floors 62 to 64. This 21,108-square-foot vertical masterpiece offers five bedrooms, a private pool, cabana, and jacuzzi, with floor-to-ceiling windows revealing Marina Bay and the city skyline. Private elevators and amenities like a sky gym and concierge services ensure unrivaled exclusivity. Completed in 2017, this luxury penthouse blends modern elegance with unparalleled urban vistas in Southeast Asia's vibrant financial hub. Building Height: 951 ft (290 m) Floors: 64 Penthouse Level: 62–64 Completed: 2017
Known as Steinway Tower, 111 West 57th Street is the world's skinniest skyscraper, with a 24:1 height-to-width ratio, rising 1,428 feet (435 meters). Its four-story penthouse at over 1,000 feet high spans floors 80 to 83 of this 84-story tower and features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and 618 square feet of exterior terraces. The 11,480-square-foot Quadplex penthouse boasts horizon-spanning views of Manhattan and Central Park, private elevators, and bespoke interiors, making it a jewel of Billionaires' Row. Building Height: 1,428 ft (435 m) Floors: 84 Penthouse Level: 80–83 Completed: 2022
Located at 157 West 57th Street, the penthouse at One57 occupies floors 89 and 90 of a 1,005-foot (306-meter), 90-story tower. Spanning nearly 11,000 square feet, this six-bedroom, seven-bathroom residence offers Central Park as its front yard. Residents enjoy 20,000 square feet of amenities, including a library, an indoor movie theater, and access to the Park Hyatt New York below, cementing One57's status as a pioneer of Billionaires' Row luxury. Building Height: 1,004 ft (306 m) Floors: 90 Penthouse Level: 89–90 Completed: 2014
Soaring 1,394 feet (425 meters), Marina 101 stands as Dubai's second-tallest residential tower, housing exquisite duplex penthouses across floors 97 to 100 of its 101-story silhouette.
Each penthouse offers 6,500 sq ft of luxury living, with a private jacuzzi in every bedroom, and expansive terraces offering panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, Palm Jumeirah (including Atlantis and Atlantis The Royal resorts), and the iconic Burj Al Arab. Despite construction delays since 2006 due to financial challenges, the tower is set for completion in 2025. The lower 33 floors, originally planned for a Hard Rock Hotel, remain undeveloped following an unsuccessful 2021 auction. Building Height: 1,394 ft (425 m) Floors: 101, plus 6 basement floors Penthouse Level: Multiple duplex penthouses, 97–100 Completed: 2025 (projected)
At 1,396 feet (426 meters), 432 Park Avenue, located between East 56th and 57th Streets, held the title of the Western Hemisphere's tallest residential building upon its 2015 completion until surpassed by Central Park Tower in 2019. Its 96th-floor penthouse, spanning 8,255 square feet, features six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and 360-degree views of New York City through 240 linear feet of glass. With over 30,000 square feet of amenities—including a private restaurant, 75-foot pool, and spa—this Billionaires' Row icon remains a paragon of modern luxury. Building Height: 1,397 ft (426 m) Floors: 96 Penthouse Level: 96 Completed: 2015
The Sky Palace at Burj Khalifa, perched on floors 107 and 108 of the world's tallest building (2,717 feet / 829.8 meters), sits nearly 1,300 feet above Downtown Dubai. Spanning 163 floors, the Burj Khalifa houses private residences, offices, Armani Hotel, and amenities like Japanese gardens, padel courts and three public observation decks. This 21,000-square-foot duplex penthouse offers sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf, Palm Jumeirah and even the distant mountains of Ras Al Khaimah. Listed at $51 million in early 2025 by Invest Dubai Real Estate, the unit is a raw shell, the unit is currently a raw shell. It features a private elevator and 12 parking spaces—but will require a multi-million dollar investment to transform it into a bespoke sky mansion. Building Height: 2,717 ft (828 m) Floors: 163 Penthouse Level: 107–108 Completed: 2010
Dubbed 'The One Above All Else,' the triplex penthouse at Central Park Tower soars 1,416 feet above New York City, a fittingly audacious name for the world's highest residential penthouse.
Showcased in Netflix's Owning Manhattan, the penthouse commands floors 129 to 131 of the 1,550-foot (472-meter), 131-story tower. Spanning a jaw-dropping 17,545 square feet, it flaunts seven bedrooms, eleven bathrooms, a 1,500-square-foot grand salon, a private ballroom, and a 1,433-square-foot terrace that frames Central Park and Manhattan's glittering skyline. With 27-foot ceilings, private high-speed elevators, and some of the best views of the entire city, this residence rules Billionaires' Row as the ultimate sky palace. Building Height: 1,550 ft (472 m) Floors: 131 Penthouse Level: 129–131 Completed: 2020
While Dubai's Burj Khalifa, piercing the sky at 2,717 feet (829.8 meters), claims the crown as the world's tallest building, New York's Central Park Tower steals the spotlight with the highest residential penthouse. Soaring at 1,416 feet above Manhattan, the triplex penthouse, aptly dubbed 'The One Above All Else,' reigns supreme on floors 129–131 of the 1,550-foot (472-meter) tower, outpacing the Burj Khalifa's Sky Palace at approximately 1,300 feet. Triplex Penthouse at Central Park Tower, New York City, USA Sky Palace at Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE Penthouse at 432 Park Avenue, New York City, USA Duplex Penthouses at Marina 101, Dubai, UAE Penthouse at One57, New York City, USA Quadplex 80 at 111 West 57th Street, New York City, USA Wallich Residence Penthouse, Singapore Penthouse at 56 Leonard, New York City, USA Grand Penthouse at 181 Fremont, San Francisco, USA Sky Penthouse at Tour Odéon, Monaco SkyHouse at 172 Madison Avenue, New York City, USA
Methodology: To crown the world's highest penthouses, we ranked them by elevation above ground. Where exact penthouse heights were unavailable, we calculated estimates based on floor levels relative to the building's pinnacle, presuming top-floor residences soar closest to the summit.
READ SOURCE businessmayor May 20, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
15 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Romantic Estate Amongst the Deodars
Beautifully sited on a gorgeously landscaped knoll, this stunning 1929 Mediterranean home is nestled amongst the deodars in the heart of La Cañada Flintridge. Exquisitely maintained, thoughtfully updated and expanded, this home exemplifies seamless indoor/outdoor living so coveted, while preserving the timeless elegance and architectural integrity of its era. The exceptional floor plan, striking finishes, modernized systems and amenities all contribute to luxury and everyday livability. A rare opportunity to own an architectural treasure in one of the most sought-after communities in the foothills – ideal for a discerning buyer who values character, quality and serenity. Location: 1711 Fairmount Avenue, La Cañada Flintridge 91011 Asking Price: $4,800,000 Year Built: 1929 Living Area: 6,254 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms Features: Outdoor kitchen; sparkling pool & spa; 6 fireplaces; lower-level media room with wet bar and ample space for a billiards table; temperature-controlled wine cellar; laundry on the main level & 2nd floor; custom window treatments; elegant Mediterranean tile work; whole-house generator Contact: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties Matt McIntyre626.437.3643MPMcIntyre@ 01844466
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lebanon aims to lure back wealthy Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy
BEIRUT (AP) — Fireworks lit up the night sky over Beirut's famous St. Georges Hotel as hit songs from the 1960s and 70s filled the air in a courtyard overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The retro-themed event was hosted last month by Lebanon's Tourism Ministry to promote the upcoming summer season and perhaps recapture some of the good vibes from an era viewed as a golden one for the country. In the years before a civil war began in 1975, Lebanon was the go-to destination for wealthy tourists from neighboring Gulf countries seeking beaches in summer, snow-capped mountains in winter and urban nightlife year-round. In the decade after the war, tourists from Gulf countries – and crucially, Saudi Arabia – came back, and so did Lebanon's economy. But by the early 2000s, as the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah gained power, Lebanon's relations with Gulf countries began to sour. Tourism gradually dried up, starving its economy of billions of dollars in annual spending. Now, after last year's bruising war with Israel, Hezbollah is much weaker and Lebanon's new political leaders sense an opportunity to revitalize the economy once again with help from wealthy neighbors. They aim to disarm Hezbollah and rekindle ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, which in recent years have prohibited their citizens from visiting Lebanon or importing its products. 'Tourism is a big catalyst, and so it's very important that the bans get lifted,' said Laura Khazen Lahoud, the country's tourism minister. On the highway leading to the Beirut airport, once-ubiquitous banners touting Hezbollah's leadership have been replaced with commercial billboards and posters that read 'a new era for Lebanon.' In the center of Beirut, and especially in neighborhoods that hope to attract tourists, political posters are coming down, and police and army patrols are on the rise. There are signs of thawing relations with some Gulf neighbors. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have lifted yearslong travel bans. All eyes are now on Saudi Arabia, a regional political and economic powerhouse, to see if it will follow suit, according to Lahoud and other Lebanese officials. A key sticking point is security, these officials say. Although a ceasefire with Israel has been in place since November, near-daily airstrikes have continued in southern and eastern Lebanon, where Hezbollah over the years had built its political base and powerful military arsenal. Tourism as a diplomatic and economic bridge As vital as tourism is — it accounted for almost 20% of Lebanon's economy before it tanked in 2019 — the country's leaders say it is just one piece of a larger puzzle they are trying to put back together. Lebanon's agricultural and industrial sectors are in shambles, suffering a major blow in 2021, when Saudi Arabia banned their exports after accusing Hezbollah of smuggling drugs into Riyadh. Years of economic dysfunction have left the country's once-thriving middle class in a state of desperation. The World Bank says poverty nearly tripled in Lebanon over the past decade, affecting close to half its population of nearly 6 million. To make matters worse, inflation is soaring, with the Lebanese pound losing 90% of its value, and many families lost their savings when banks collapsed. Tourism is seen by Lebanon's leaders as the best way to kickstart the reconciliation needed with Gulf countries -- and only then can they move on to exports and other economic growth opportunities. 'It's the thing that makes most sense, because that's all Lebanon can sell now,' said Sami Zoughaib, research manager at The Policy Initiative, a Beirut-based think tank. With summer still weeks away, flights to Lebanon are already packed with expats and locals from countries that overturned their travel bans, and hotels say bookings have been brisk. At the event hosted last month by the tourism ministry, the owner of the St. Georges Hotel, Fady El-Khoury, beamed. The hotel, owned by his father in its heyday, has acutely felt Lebanon's ups and downs over the decades, closing and reopening multiple times because of wars. 'I have a feeling that the country is coming back after 50 years,' he said. On a recent weekend, as people crammed the beaches of the northern city of Batroun, and jet skis whizzed along the Mediterranean, local business people sounded optimistic that the country was on the right path. 'We are happy, and everyone here is happy,' said Jad Nasr, co-owner of a private beach club. 'After years of being boycotted by the Arabs and our brothers in the Gulf, we expect this year for us to always be full.' Still, tourism is not a panacea for Lebanon's economy, which for decades has suffered from rampant corruption and waste. Lebanon has been in talks with the International Monetary Fund for years over a recovery plan that would include billions in loans and require the country to combat corruption, restructure its banks, and bring improvements to a range of public services, including electricity and water. Without those and other reforms, Lebanon's wealthy neighbors will lack confidence to invest there, experts said. A tourism boom alone would serve as a 'morphine shot that would only temporarily ease the pain" rather than stop the deepening poverty in Lebanon, Zoughaib said. The tourism minister, Lahoud, agreed, saying a long-term process has only just begun. "But we're talking about subjects we never talked about before,' she said. 'And I think the whole country has realized that war doesn't serve anyone, and that we really need our economy to be back and flourish again.' Kareem Chehayeb, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Associated Press
Lebanon aims to lure back wealthy Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy
BEIRUT (AP) — Fireworks lit up the night sky over Beirut's famous St. Georges Hotel as hit songs from the 1960s and 70s filled the air in a courtyard overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The retro-themed event was hosted last month by Lebanon's Tourism Ministry to promote the upcoming summer season and perhaps recapture some of the good vibes from an era viewed as a golden one for the country. In the years before a civil war began in 1975, Lebanon was the go-to destination for wealthy tourists from neighboring Gulf countries seeking beaches in summer, snow-capped mountains in winter and urban nightlife year-round. In the decade after the war, tourists from Gulf countries – and crucially, Saudi Arabia – came back, and so did Lebanon's economy. But by the early 2000s, as the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah gained power, Lebanon's relations with Gulf countries began to sour. Tourism gradually dried up, starving its economy of billions of dollars in annual spending. Now, after last year's bruising war with Israel, Hezbollah is much weaker and Lebanon's new political leaders sense an opportunity to revitalize the economy once again with help from wealthy neighbors. They aim to disarm Hezbollah and rekindle ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, which in recent years have prohibited their citizens from visiting Lebanon or importing its products. 'Tourism is a big catalyst, and so it's very important that the bans get lifted,' said Laura Khazen Lahoud, the country's tourism minister. On the highway leading to the Beirut airport, once-ubiquitous banners touting Hezbollah's leadership have been replaced with commercial billboards and posters that read 'a new era for Lebanon.' In the center of Beirut, and especially in neighborhoods that hope to attract tourists, political posters are coming down, and police and army patrols are on the rise. There are signs of thawing relations with some Gulf neighbors. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have lifted yearslong travel bans. All eyes are now on Saudi Arabia, a regional political and economic powerhouse, to see if it will follow suit, according to Lahoud and other Lebanese officials. A key sticking point is security, these officials say. Although a ceasefire with Israel has been in place since November, near-daily airstrikes have continued in southern and eastern Lebanon, where Hezbollah over the years had built its political base and powerful military arsenal. Tourism as a diplomatic and economic bridge As vital as tourism is — it accounted for almost 20% of Lebanon's economy before it tanked in 2019 — the country's leaders say it is just one piece of a larger puzzle they are trying to put back together. Lebanon's agricultural and industrial sectors are in shambles, suffering a major blow in 2021, when Saudi Arabia banned their exports after accusing Hezbollah of smuggling drugs into Riyadh. Years of economic dysfunction have left the country's once-thriving middle class in a state of desperation. The World Bank says poverty nearly tripled in Lebanon over the past decade, affecting close to half its population of nearly 6 million. To make matters worse, inflation is soaring, with the Lebanese pound losing 90% of its value, and many families lost their savings when banks collapsed. Tourism is seen by Lebanon's leaders as the best way to kickstart the reconciliation needed with Gulf countries -- and only then can they move on to exports and other economic growth opportunities. 'It's the thing that makes most sense, because that's all Lebanon can sell now,' said Sami Zoughaib, research manager at The Policy Initiative, a Beirut-based think tank. With summer still weeks away, flights to Lebanon are already packed with expats and locals from countries that overturned their travel bans, and hotels say bookings have been brisk. At the event hosted last month by the tourism ministry, the owner of the St. Georges Hotel, Fady El-Khoury, beamed. The hotel, owned by his father in its heyday, has acutely felt Lebanon's ups and downs over the decades, closing and reopening multiple times because of wars. 'I have a feeling that the country is coming back after 50 years,' he said. On a recent weekend, as people crammed the beaches of the northern city of Batroun, and jet skis whizzed along the Mediterranean, local business people sounded optimistic that the country was on the right path. 'We are happy, and everyone here is happy,' said Jad Nasr, co-owner of a private beach club. 'After years of being boycotted by the Arabs and our brothers in the Gulf, we expect this year for us to always be full.' Still, tourism is not a panacea for Lebanon's economy, which for decades has suffered from rampant corruption and waste. Lebanon has been in talks with the International Monetary Fund for years over a recovery plan that would include billions in loans and require the country to combat corruption, restructure its banks, and bring improvements to a range of public services, including electricity and water. Without those and other reforms, Lebanon's wealthy neighbors will lack confidence to invest there, experts said. A tourism boom alone would serve as a 'morphine shot that would only temporarily ease the pain' rather than stop the deepening poverty in Lebanon, Zoughaib said. The tourism minister, Lahoud, agreed, saying a long-term process has only just begun. 'But we're talking about subjects we never talked about before,' she said. 'And I think the whole country has realized that war doesn't serve anyone, and that we really need our economy to be back and flourish again.'
