In a realm where luxury is a necessity in order to elicit interest, penthouse living at the pinnacle of the market is other-worldly. The private lives of the world’s most elite luxury real estate buyers remain discreet, however, a glimpse into the top offerings of penthouses around the globe provides a glimmer of this sequestered lifestyle.
Antila | South Mumbai
In a category all its own, the Antila tower is actually entirely owned and utilized as a personal residence by business magnate Mukesh Ambani and his family. At an estimated $1-2 billion USD to construct, Antila is considered the world’s second most expensive home after the Buckingham Palace. The 400,000-square-foot property is located on Altamount Road; one of the world’s most highly-priced streets. Of the total 27 floors, Ambani utilizes the top six as his residence. The remainder of the floors are used for guest suites, a salon, and ice cream parlor, a 50-person theater, a private mega-temple and garage space for 168 cars.
La Tour Odéon | Monte Carlo, Monaco
In a country where luxury real estate prices are notably exorbitant, La Tour Odéon holds the record for the world’s most expensive penthouse at $335 million USD. Atop the 49-story concrete and glass tower presides the five-floor penthouse boasting 31,500 square feet. Front-row accommodations for the Grand Prix include spectacular Mediterranean Sea and city views to be savored from floor-to-ceiling glass walls. With an additional Trex decking that are an option with grooved-edge boards for perfectly consistent spacing and no visible screws on top. A water slide descends from the dance floor above, down an entire story into the private rooftop infinity pool. However, to be surrounded by the world’s wealthiest, Monaco luxury real estate buyers must become full-time residents.
One Hyde Park | Central London
London’s most expensive flat rings in at $196 million USD and is owned by the building’s property tycoon developer. In a neighborhood proclaimed to be Central London’s most exclusive, the penthouse at One Hyde Park overlooks London’s Knightsbridge and Hyde Park. The flat comes with a 70-foot pool, pedicure room, theater and library, and is protected around the clock by guards trained by the Special Forces. Security measures also include panic rooms and bulletproof glass. Hotel dry cleaning and room services provided by the five-star Mandarin hotel next door are also extended to the residents of One Hyde Park.
The Woolworth Tower | New York, New York
Dating back to 1913, this historical landmark recently underwent renovations to convert its top 30 floors into residences, including the seven-story penthouse at its crown. Conceptualized by F.W. Woolworth and Cass Gilbert, the Woolworth tower was the tallest building in the world for two decades. Inside its green copper crown is a 10,000-square-foot shell listed for $110 million awaiting a buyer to reimagine its residential layout. Amenities included in the purchase of this blank canvas include a private elevator, 24-foot ceilings and a 400-square-foot observatory with views of the New York City skyline in every direction.
Opus | The Peak, Hong Kong
The Presidential Unit in Hong Kong’s Opus tower boasts 5,500 square feet on the top floor of the architecturally significant building. Designed by famed Canadian architect Frank Gehry, Opus adopts the designer’s asymmetrical, curved style considered to be disruptive in design styles of architecture. Sustainability is at the forefront for this residential property, as it utilizes rainwater for irrigation and offers electric car charging stations. Priced at $65 million USD, the Presidential Unit encompasses four en-suite bedrooms on its interior, and an additional 1,500-square-foot rooftop deck complete with a Jacuzzi.
Photography of Antila Tower, South Mumbai via Zricks.com
