By definition, penthouses are a representation of luxury. On the highest floors of tall buildings, brilliant penthouse designs have been the aspirational zenith (quite literally) of dreams of many. The top floors of buildings anywhere in the world are often looked at desirable real estate and are also marketed at premium prices, as they allow apartments in the busiest parts of the city, while still being able to stay high above the urban crowds and noises. Penthouses cater to the elite. But what do these elite penthouses look like from the inside? What separates penthouses from normal apartments and bungalows in the first place? And how did this trend of living in a house among the clouds come from? In this blog, not only do we take you through some of our favourite penthouse interior designs across the world and India, but also guide you through which features allow penthouses to stand as one of the tallest among the most premium residential projects.
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What Are Penthouses?
A penthouse apartment is a residential unit that is located on the top-most floor of an apartment building, condo, tower, or hotel. The term ‘penthouse’ comes from the Old French ‘apentis’, meaning ‘an appendage’ or ‘attached building’. It is generally the luxury features that differentiate penthouses from other types of residential units. While penthouses do not need to necessarily occupy the entire roof deck of a building, multiple penthouse units exist on the top floor. These units are also outfitted to include extra-premium finishes, designs, fixtures, and amenities, setting them apart from other floors of the residential building. For example, a penthouse gets a private entrance or elevator permitted only to the residents of the apartment. Some penthouse designs also include multiple floors. While others may have features like vaulted ceilings, along with a fireplace, landscaped terrace area, a terrace swimming pool, oversized windows, hot tubs, office suites, concierge services, and more. Along with all of these amenities, even small penthouses designs are blessed with a fine view of the city’s skyline.
Also read: Billionaire Ratan Tata’s House in Colaba takes luxury to another level
Today, penthouse apartments go for multi-million dollars, and cost at least around INR 4 - 15 crores in India. You will often find accomplished and deep-pocketed celebrities and musicians around investing in modern luxury penthouses, even if the purchase is a trophy buy. This goes to show top-floor properties in the market as well, go for top-priced tickets. Penthouse interior designers, therefore, go to great lengths in making their properties luxe enough to lure affluent buyers with cultivated, and meticulous tastes. Real estate developers and agents also go to great lengths to ensure that 105 of the 100 boxes are checked to make prospective buyers happy. But how did this trend of living the high life originate?
Fun fact, up until the early 20th century, the top-most parts of the building were considered to be undesirable, uninhabitable, and only to be set foot on by workers, or used as utility and laundry spaces.
Also read: Posh Areas in Mumbai – Top 12 Places to Live in the City of Dreams
The Trend Of Having A Home Among The Clouds
It was in the 1920s in the city of New York after World War I that the overall infrastructure began to improve. Engineers and architects of the time decided to use this opportunity to reinvent the top-most floor of buildings, turning them into beautiful apartments with enormous windows, and terraces that combined gardens to comfortably isolate an individual from the busy city below. From undervalued and ignored areas, soon enough, the summit of tall buildings soon became one of the most desirable living spaces.
It was in 1922-‘23 in fact, that Emery Roth (renowned for architecting iconic buildings including the Ritz Tower, Mayflower Hotel, The El Dorado and many more) developed the fifteen storeyed twin towers. This building was the world’s tallest from 1971 to ’73, and the original World Trade Centre before it was destroyed by the September 11 attacks – leading to the coinage of the term ‘penthouse’ in Roth’s biography. It was since then and even later in 1925 that Emery Roth also designed the famous Ritz Tower, a vital culminating point in a home’s evolution across the world, that New Yorkers turned their dreams of living among the skies. In major Indian cities with high-rises as well, big to small penthouses exterior designed with ultra-luxuries began attracting the eyeballs of prominent personalities of the society, selling despite commanding sometimes twice or thrice the cost of regular apartments in India. These penthouse plans would always include a minimum of 4 bedrooms with enviable, exclusive, and luxe amenities.
What do they look like from the inside? Let us look at some of our favourite penthouse designs.
Also read: The Most Expensive Houses in the World 2026
Our Picks Of The Top 10 Penthouse Designs
You will see many types of penthouse designs from across the world and the nation below. That said, be sure to keep an editorial eye out for the décor aesthetics, architecture, and of course, the affluence that makes each of these designs stand out. Read on!
1. A Duplex Penthouse in Bangalore, By Tree light Design
With verdant surroundings, a breezy atmosphere, and a vast space, this penthouse designed by Treelight Design in Bengaluru makes a solid case for how living in nature can also be luxurious. Away from the bustling city, this tropical penthouse was an inspiration by nature’s various faces, so that a seamless bond is maintained between the outside and the inside of the apartment.
Also read Duplex House, For Those Who Want to Live Double the Life!
2. The Penthouse Project in Pune, By Studio Flamingo
Resting on the top-most floor of a tall and luxurious residential complex in Pune, the penthouse design dubbed ‘The Penthouse Project’ by Studio Flamingo stands out with its neutral and minimalistic pastel design. As the image of the terrace lounge shows, it is an appealing place to have your evening tea while overlooking the scenic Pune skyline.
Also read: Hardik Pandya House – The Rare Unrivalled Abode of Luxury and Elegance
3. A Manhattan Penthouse in Chicago, By Dufner Heighes
Purposed for an affluent family in Chicago, this penthouse by Dufner Heighes flaunts luxury with nothing but its upholstered club chairs and sofa, a credenza, a floor lamp, a side table, and a sea of natural light through its glass walls.
4. Traditional Penthouse in Bangalore, By Etagi Design Collaborative
While penthouse designs have originated in the western hemisphere of the planet, India’s traditional design elements can truly make transform them into something indigenously genius. As the image of the 4-bedroom Bengaluru (Bangalore) penthouse designed by Architect Prashanth Nandiprasad, from Etagi Design Collaborative shows, open spaces in the penthouse can offer significantly high functional spaces to enjoy.
Also read: The Top Posh Areas in Chennai – Landmarks, Real Estate Prices and More
5. Affluence Penthouse in Vadodara, By ACE Associates
The idea is not even the word, to begin with, to describe this marvellous penthouse in Vadodara designed by ACE Associates, and dubbed ‘Affluence’. The open, uncluttered space, the ornate rug for the seating area, and a staircase that leads to a private bedroom – what’s not to love?
6. Penthouse By the Rive in Surat, By the Concept Lab
Sprawling over 5,000 sq. ft., Penthouse by the Rive by the Concept Lab is located on the top-most floor of a Surat high-rise. As the image shows and the name suggests, iconic riverside views are only one of the most appealing aspects of this design, as much greenery is equally present inside.
7. Shahid & Mira Rajput Kapoor’s Juhu Penthouse
Coastal beauty doesn’t begin to describe the gorgeous views of the Arabian Sea in Shahid and Mira Rajput Kapoor’s penthouse in Juhu. This patio and balcony rolled into one wooden-scaped space must be so charming in the breezy evenings, especially when lit up with fairy lights.
Also read: Super-Luxury Homes Selling Fast in Hyderabad
8. Overlapping Volumes in Hyderabad, By Urban Zen
The sprawling space in Overlapping Volumes, a Hyderabad penthouse designed by Urban Zen, is a perfect embodiment of luxury, nature, and drama melded into a harmonious whole. As the image shows, it's intricate detailing in balancing sophisticated and ‘zen’ living, really shows in the design.
9. Villa In the Sky, John Abraham’s Penthouse In Mumbai
Undeniably, John Abraham’s sea-facing penthouse deck boasts of not only a magnificent view, but also a rooftop swimming pool with some plants. Designed by Alan Abraham (John’s brother) along with others, apparently, the interior designs of this penthouse were so detailed and great that it even ended up winning the ‘Best Home Award’ in 2016, from the IIAD (Indian Institute of Architectural Design).
Also read: Posh Areas in Gurgaon to Start Your Luxurious Journey for 2022
10. Howard Schultz’s $40.04 Million Duplex Penthouse In Greenwich Lane
Described per reports as a ‘jewel box in the sky’, the hefty $40 million price tag of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s Greenwich Village penthouse in New York boasts 4 bedrooms, and 5 and a half bathrooms, stretching across 5,587 sq. ft. It does help that this property, considered to be one of the costliest in the neighbourhood in 2017, overlooks the scenic Hudson River and the vast New York skyline.
Find The Perfect Home Suited to Your Spacious Needs with NoBroker
Penthouse designs come in many forms, each more striking than the last. While the ultra-luxurious penthouses are reserved for the ultra-rich, how is the rest of India searching for their dream homes? You can also buy a penthouse anywhere in India with the help of the NoBroker search platform. Or you can even design a penthouse from scratch with the help of NoBroker’s top-starred interior designers, who can guide you with a vast variety of aesthetically beautiful concepts for your dream penthouse living on the 9th cloud. For more details, check out our interior decoration and designing services below.
Also read: Everything You Should Know About Buying a Penthouse in India
