Sky-High Luxury: Inside The World's Highest Penthouses

Business Mayor

20-05-2025

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