Penthouse apartment: prices, features – rent or buy

Penthouse apartment – Finding a new place to live, whether you want to rent something or even buy an apartment, is never easy and should be done with a lot of thought. There are different types of apartments such as basement apartment, apartment or even the penthouse. If the word penthouse falls, is often clear: Here it is about something particularly exclusive. Penthouse apartments promise special luxury and an excellent living experience. For the most part, people are familiar with this type of apartment from media such as films, television and video games. A penthouse stands for space, luxury and living comfort. Quality and a lot of living space are often decisive features of a penthouse. We have compiled everything you need to know about penthouses, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this type of apartment. If you want to find the perfect apartment, it may be worth hiring an estate agent, you can find more information here: Find a Realtor.

Penthouse apartment: Luxury & living comfort on a large living space

This type of apartment has become big in the U.S.A. and is still the most widely represented there. But also here in the German-speaking countries you can find one or the other penthouse. If you are looking for a luxurious living solution, it is definitely worth taking a closer look at this type of apartment. After all, a penthouse has its very own charm and stands for luxurious living.

Tip. If you’re thinking about buying an apartment for your own use or to rent out, then take a look at our article on buying real estate. Here you will find videos from professionals with tips on the process, taxes, mistakes and much more!

Are you looking for the right apartment? Here you’ll find definitions, meanings and lots of information on penthouses, granny flats, apartments & co.: Apartment types from A-Z

Features: Lots of attic space and beautiful views

Penthouses were originally extensions on the roof of a house that promised particularly beautiful views. They were often more luxuriously furnished than the apartments below and aimed to attract wealthy clientele. Hotels also use this categorization and place suites in the penthouse of the building.

In the past, the term penthouse was reserved solely for large extensions on the roof of tall residential buildings. This also explains why they are more widespread in the U.S. than in German cities, for example, where skyscraper apartment buildings are much more common.

Meanwhile, the term penthouse apartment can also refer to luxury apartments on the upper floors of a high-rise building. Especially when buying an apartment, this distinction is important to note. According to the definition, a penthouse is an exclusive apartment on the flat roof of a multi-storey or high-rise building.

Penthouse: Large premises with terrace

We have now cleared up the questions about where to find a penthouse and would now like to turn our attention to answering any ambiguities about the space you can expect in a penthouse apartment.

The very first thing you can expect from a penthouse is great expectations, because that is exactly what this type of apartment is supposed to do. Classic penthouses, as the name suggests, can actually be small houses. They offer a large living space, sometimes over several floors, galleries and smart room layouts, as well as often a terrace or balcony that allow you to admire the city lights from above.

Do you suffer from a fear of heights? Then you should think twice about whether living in a penthouse is right for you, because the location above the rest of the city is unavoidable. Precisely because the view is such a crucial part of the charm of penthouses, you can count on large, floor-to-ceiling windows that allow you to flood the space with natural light.

Penthouse advantages and disadvantages: Price, location, view and more

Now that you know what to expect with a penthouse, we finally want to go into the precise advantages and disadvantages of this type of apartment. This list should serve you as a kind of guide in your search for a penthouse apartment.

Especially with a more or less unprotected designation like penthouse, it can quickly happen that someone wants to sell you a luxury apartment as a penthouse. So make sure that the apartment is equipped with certain features, also to guarantee that you do not pay too much rent or too high a purchase price. Above all, you want to be able to assume that your property will hold its value and, in the best case, increase in value.

Advantages: unique living experience

Lofts and penthouses are unbeaten in luxury real estate, especially since these types of apartments are often found in the city or in close proximity to the city, while villas and homes are increasingly found in suburbs. This is what makes penthouses so appealing:

• Downtown
• Large living space
• Breathtaking view
• Outside
• Light flooded rooms

Disadvantages: Luxury has its price

It’s hard to believe that such exclusive apartments also come with drawbacks, but there are still a few subtleties that can lead to negative effects when buying a penthouse. You should keep your eyes open for the following things:

• (Too) high prices
• Too much unused living space
• High ancillary costs (due to unused space)
• Windows that cannot be opened (depending on location)
• Limited accessibility, if applicable

Source: Penthouse (Lukinski.de)

Penthouse apartment: A living form for everyone – singles, couples and families?

The term penthouse apartment is broad enough that almost everyone can find a suitable apartment on the top floors. Nevertheless, restrictions may arise that should not be ignored.

Singles: Ultimate Bachelor Flat?

Especially young career people often dream of a penthouse, which not only offers space for relaxed, as well as exuberant evenings, but also the proximity to the inner-city workplace. A good connection with public transport is also often desired.

Less relevant for singles is the proximity to schools or the choice of kindergartens in the immediate vicinity, which is why single people also have the option of finding cheaper penthouse apartments, because these factors play a decisive role in the pricing on the housing market. In addition, the size can also be a negative criterion as a single person.

Couples: First time at home together

As a couple, moving in together is an important step. Of course, you don’t want an unsightly environment to cast dark clouds over your shared happiness, so if your budget allows it, it’s also worth taking a look at penthouse apartments as a couple.

The living solution offers enough space for study rooms, bedrooms and common living environments, which can be furnished individually. Mostly, the luxury apartments also have kitchens, large enough for communal cooking evenings.

Families: Familiar living in good surroundings

A penthouse can also meet family requirements. Sufficient space is provided in any case and also a place where children have a place away from dangers, such as busy roads, where they can get some fresh air.

Parents should definitely pay attention to the educational offer in the form of kindergartens and schools in the area when choosing their apartment. This, of course, limits the choice of suitable penthouse apartments.

Retirees: Living with style in old age

Pensioners will also be happy to spend their best years above the roofs of the city. However, it should be ensured in any case that the desired residential building is equipped with an elevator.

Some people also find that the near-city environment can be quite stressful for their twilight years. Of course, this is entirely dependent on the individual. Otherwise, depending on the life situation, the same recommendations apply as for couples or singles.

Rent and buy a penthouse apartment: Here’s what you should watch out for

You already have your eye on a penthouse apartment and want to know what you should look out for before buying or moving in? Then you’ve come to the right place, because we’ve put together a few factors that you should keep an eye on.

Buying an apartment is often a high financial outlay and requires some thorough consideration. Take a look at our comprehensive article on the subject of buying an apartment!

Condition of the building: New construction, due for renovation, or heating costs too high?

Luxury apartment all well and good, but this can still be so beautiful and spacious if the building itself is dilapidated and little emphasis is placed on maintenance. Things that can be indications that the builders or property management treat the property somewhat stepmotherly are things like the condition of the house facade or such the timeliness of the heating system. This often reveals whether or not high standards are being emphasised overall.

Neighbourhood and surroundings: Location, location, location

In order to estimate the value of a property, you have to include an incredible number of external circumstances in your determination. The location of the apartment on the top floor is already an extremely value-increasing factor. Access to public transport, shops, restaurants and businesses in the surrounding area can, in addition to this, provide information about the value of the location.

Layout of the building: Neighbors, Elevator & Co.

The concept of partitioning can be confusing at first. This does not mean the room layout of the apartment itself, but rather the purposes of use, which is allocated to the other residential and commercial space in the building. On the website of the construction company such information on construction projects and already completed buildings can be found quite easily.

Area for hotels and restaurants can mean, for example, that the area in which the property is being built is touristy or is frequently visited by business travellers. This speaks for good accessibility or potential expansion in this area.

In any case, be aware that developers of such projects are also risk takers. This means that, just like you, they have researched the area and analysed who the location appeals to in order to allocate the available space in the best possible way.