The mere mention of the word penthouse immediately conjures up images of lavish living. Positioned on the highest floors of sleek apartment complexes and boasting incredible views, exclusive amenities and sumptuous interior design schemes, penthouses are, by their very nature, luxurious. Scroll on to discover four of our favourite city penthouses that ooze elevated style.
4 next-level penthouses
Penthouse, Barcelona
Located in the famous Raval neighbourhood of Barcelona, P-M-A-A’s Penthouse provides the perfect ethereal escape from the lively streets of one of Europe’s most-loved cities. Situated on the top floor, the penthouse is divided into two separate spaces by a light well. The first faces the street while the much larger second space is partitioned using a series of load-bearing walls. The repetition of these dividing walls results in a unique property that’s both private and open. P-M-A-A’s preservation of elements like tiled floors and archways positions Penthouse as a prime example of Spanish architecture that’s been updated to feel stylish and modern without losing any charm.
Rathbone Square Penthouse, London
On the top two floors of an elite residential building in one of central London's newest garden squares, the past is a compelling inspiration. A duplex penthouse in Rathbone Square, a development in Fitzrovia, is a deluxe retreat with interior design that's inspired by the area's rich artistic and cosmopolitan heritage. Echlin, a London-based collective of architects and interior designers, have drawn inspiration from the renowned Bloomsbury Group as well as the many creative businesses with headquarters in Fitzrovia. Bespoke furnishings sit alongside pieces by emerging and established designers from Europe and the US, reflecting a modern-British meets young-international-design sensibility.
BF 81, São Paulo
A long forgotten 1950s São Paulo penthouse has been totally recommissioned in a respectful yet audacious renovation by architects Estúdio Paralelo. The penthouse was created out of two apartments that had been uninhabited for 20 years and the result is a stunning urban residence. Open plan living predominates in a highly contemporary style with appropriately mid-century modern overtones in both finish and furnishings. Where walls have been knocked down, their structural beams remain as a reminder of what went before. Exposed brickwork, parquet floors and French windows make for a stripped back, elegant retreat. Relaxed yet true to its roots, this penthouse is no period curiosity but a highly contemporary urban dwelling.
Penthouse, Paris
When Joan Arnau Farràs and Carme Muñoz Ramírez of Spanish studio 05 AM arquitectura were tasked with renovating a Parisian two-storey penthouse in the 16th arrondissement, they flipped it on its head. Quite literally. Originally, the apartment was primarily accommodated on the lower floor with access to the upper storey terrace through a double-height living room. To combat all of this, 05 AM arquitectura devised a completely new layout by introducing a new floor plate that transferred the main living area from the lower to the upper floor. The result, as you can see, is a light-filled living space with an open layout and minimalist decor.
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