Living at the Top: 6 Extraordinary City Penthouses

Luxury Defined  takes to the heights with a collection of penthouse dwellings in six cities across the globe to ring in the happy New Year.

The fireworks start in Miami, where an ocean-view triplex crowns the Cipriani Residences, then on to Dubai, where an opulent penthouse features views of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

It couldn’t be life at the top without a stop in the Big Apple, in a dazzling downtown triplex overlooking New York Harbor; then to London, and a glorious, glass-walled residence with a view of the Natural History Museum. Next up is northern Michigan wine country, where a turnkey penthouse awaits in downtown Traverse City—home of the National Cherry Festival, and some great white wines. Finally, we head up the Danube to Bratislava, Slovakia, and a triplex above the river.

So hoist a glass and raise a toast to 2026!

Penthouse 3 at Cipriani Residences Miami

To live in Cipriani Residences Miami is to enjoy the signature service standards first established at Harry’s Bar, Venice, in 1931 and perfected through four generations.

Located on the top 18 floors of Arquitectonica’s distinctive, nautically inspired 80-story glass tower, The Canaletto Collection of exquisitely appointed residences reflect Cipriani’s signature aesthetic—timeless, elegant, and tailored.

Designed by 1508 London design studio, Penthouse 3 offers more than 6,100 square feet of interior space and 3,500 square feet of terraces with a private infinity pool and a summer kitchen with sweeping views of the city skyline and Biscayne Bay.

The private elevator from the lobby rises to the grand foyer. Beyond it, a double-height great room with a wall of windows frames the view of turquoise seas. The flow-through layout includes a chef’s kitchen, games lounge, and five big bedrooms, supported by six-and-a-half bathrooms.

Ownership includes access to the dedicated global concierge and Cipriani’s signature amenities, including a holistic spa, fitness center, pickleball court, social lounge, private dining, and the legendary Harry’s Bar.

Elevated Escape at Waldorf Astoria Residences Business Bay, Dubai, UAE

This sky-high home is one of 146 freehold residences at the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Business Bay, slated for completion in late 2029.

Residents enjoy views of Business Bay and the Dubai Canal from an inviting private balcony as well as floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the home’s 4,271-square-foot interior.

The interior design by hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) blends the Waldorf Astoria’s high Art Deco style with contemporary Dubai luxury. The soothing palette is enhanced with golden lighting, gleaming metallic finishes, and bold pops of color.

The elegant reception and dining spaces are supported by a state-of-the-art, open-plan kitchen. There are four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a maid’s room. The home is offered fully furnished.

The unmatched amenities include fitness and wellness suites, cinema and cigar lounges, a library, nine restaurants, and the Waldorf Astoria’s famed starlight terrace.

Cloud Club Penthouse at 77 Greenwich, New York, New York

The Cloud Club Residences grace the top two floors of 77 Greenwich, a 42-story, LEED-certified tower in Manhattan’s Financial District.

Within its shimmering, pleated glass façade are 90 elegant one- to four-bedroom homes by visionaries FXCollaborative and Deborah Berke and Stephen Brockman of AD 100 Hall of Fame studio TenBerke.

The penthouse is the only unit in the building with a private outdoor space: a 219-square-foot loggia that seamlessly extends the living spaces over New York Harbor.

The 3,531-square-foot, four-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom residence is enhanced with wood, stone, colors and textures, and a turnkey furniture package by Artefacto (available for separate purchase).

Beyond the foyer is a museum-inspired gallery for the display of large-scale artworks; a palatial great room; and a living room, which opens to the loggia.

Just off the dining room is a Poliform kitchen with views facing east. A private wing contains the enormous primary suite (with two bathrooms clad in white striated marble), three en suite guest bedrooms, and an office. A fourth bedroom near the sitting room could serve as a library or a den.

The amenities at 77 Greenwich include a 12th-floor Zen garden and dog run, and the exclusive top-floor Cloud Club, which features a fireplace lounge, fitness center, private dining room, yoga and events space, and children’s playroom.

Rooftop Retreat in South Kensington, London

The wide glass walls and windows of this seventh-floor South Kensington penthouse offer 360-degree views of the London skyline.

The apartment has been renovated to an exacting standard with bespoke fixtures and fittings, including art glass, mirrors, and dark American walnut flooring throughout.

The 3,041-square-foot floor plan includes a grand, dual-aspect reception room and lounge, and a chandeliered dining room served by a contemporary kitchen with a hood-vented range and a marble island under a dazzling mirrored ceiling. Three en suite bedrooms include an impressive primary suite with a marble bathroom and dressing room.

The wraparound rooftop terrace provides a glass-roofed dining space and skyline views of the Queen’s Tower, the Natural History Museum, and other London landmarks. A separate gym/exercise room has its own Jacuzzi.

Penthouse A at 111 State Street, Traverse City, Michigan

This luxurious, full-floor, turnkey penthouse is in downtown Traverse City, the largest city in northern Michigan, home of the National Cherry Festival, and a picturesque region of forests, beaches—and more than 50 wineries.

The elevator to fully furnished Penthouse A opens to a spacious open-plan reception lounge and a sleek kitchen, leading to a central corridor and the private quarters, with four airy bedrooms and three full bathrooms. White-oak flooring, natural marble, 10-foot ceilings, and oversized casement windows frame views of Rotary Square Park and fill the home with natural light from multiple exposures.

The island/breakfast bar kitchen, with elegant Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and backsplash, features full-height custom cabinetry, detailed millwork, and integrated Miele appliances, serving a sky-view dining space.

Advanced soundproofing, double-pane windows, and whole-home HVAC air purification ensure serene interior quiet, exceptional air quality, and energy efficiency. The climate-controlled private garage has oversized doors, EV charging, and the option to add a lift for two cars.

The private rooftop terrace provides a custom pergola for outdoor dining. Just two blocks from Clinch Marina and the beach on Traverse Bay, the home is just steps from restaurants, shopping, and trailheads.

River Danube Triplex in Bratislava, Slovakia

This triplex penthouse is part of a premium residence beside the beautiful River Danube in Old Town Bratislava, the historic heart of the Slovakian capital.

The floor plan extends across 2,508 square feet, elegantly appointed with oak floors, ceramic tiles, high-end furniture and lighting, and a multi-room Sonos sound system. Floor-to-ceiling and atelier windows let in the light, while bespoke drapery and blinds provide shade and privacy.

The first level is dedicated to the entrance hall, the open-plan living and dining spaces, a chef’s kitchen, a guest bedroom, and a sunny breakfast terrace. The stylish reception room features built-in shelving, gallery walls and a floating staircase rising to a luxurious bedroom suite; a smaller, intimate guest room; and a sunny terrace.

The top level is where the magic lies: whether it’s the serene primary suite and its integrated closet and Zen-like bathroom, or the rooftop terrace, complete with a summer kitchen and a panoramic view of Old Town.

Life at the top? More chic city penthouses this way.