Once considered a luxury available to very few, penthouses are now among the most sought-after properties on the real estate market.
Like all homes, penthouses have a number of advantages and disadvantages that influence the decision to purchase the property. That’s why at Culmia, a leading residential development platform, we’re offering you a list of factors—both positive and negative—that will tip the scales one way or the other when it comes to living in a penthouse.
Advantages of Living in a Penthouse
Along with ground-floor units with gardens, penthouses are usually the first properties to sell once they hit the market, as they offer a number of unique features within the building complex.
- Better views: The main advantage of penthouses, thanks to their prime location, is none other than their views. Being located at the very top of the building eliminates any obstructions, providing an almost panoramic view of the area where it’s situated. That said, penthouses aren’t for people who are afraid of heights!
- More natural light: Since they are the highest floors in the building, penthouses typically enjoy more sunlight each day. Furthermore, because they are usually connected to the outdoors through large windows, penthouses enjoy the maximum possible amount of natural light.
- Outdoor living: Although it is not mandatory for penthouses to have a terrace, it’s quite common for them to have one. Thanks to this private outdoor space, residents can enjoy their free time outdoors and even create a small “chill-out” area on the terrace. What a luxury in the heart of a major city!
- Greater intimacy and privacy: Although ground-floor units also have a terrace or garden, another advantage that penthouses offer over other properties is privacy. While prying eyes can “sneak in” more easily on ground-floor units with terraces, penthouses are free from this problem, since only a neighbor in a building of similar height could compromise the privacy of a penthouse.
- More silence: Have you ever wondered what it’s like not to have neighbors upstairs? Is the hustle and bustle of the city one of your biggest drawbacks when it comes to living in a large urban area? Penthouses offer more peace and quiet, since street noise diminishes as you go higher up.
- Exclusivity: Penthouses are often scarce in cities. As a result, this type of property becomes an exclusive asset on the market.
Disadvantages of Living in a Penthouse
Although penthouses may, at first glance, appeal to many people, it is important to consider their drawbacks:
- These properties are in high demand: clearly, since this is not a typical residential area, demand—and, consequently, their value—increases. Generally, the average price of a penthouse is between 30% and 40% higher than that of other apartments. This is definitely a factor to keep in mind.
- More exposed to outdoor temperatures: Being on the top floor of the building not only has its advantages, but it also makes this unit more sensitive to temperature changes. During the winter months, the penthouse will be colder, and, conversely, during the summer months, it will be warmer.
- Elevator dependence: Living on the top floor of the building also has a negative impact on your weight. Having only one elevator in the residential complex means that, in the event of a breakdown, the penthouse resident will have to climb a lot of stairs—and you probably won’t like that!
- Greater maintenance: In addition to all the disadvantages mentioned above, penthouses require more maintenance—or at least more frequent maintenance —than standard apartments. Whether due to leaks, water seepage, or the cleaning and upkeep of the terrace, these residential units located on the upper floors of buildings require a greater investment in maintenance, both in terms of money and time.
It’s clear that living in a penthouse with spectacular views of the city center is something out of the ordinary. However, there are a number of factors—both financial and related to maintenance—that we should keep firmly in mind when buying a home at the top of a building.
And for you, are there more or fewer advantages to living in a penthouse?
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