Among The Clouds

Abode2 takes a look around the tallest Penthouses in various Manhattan neighbourhoods. These incredible homes are truly the crème de la crème of luxury living in New York City, with sweeping skyline views and even private outdoor space.

Everyone knows the Penthouse is the ultimate luxury in a residential building. With incomparable views and unbeatable privacy, these homes are the most sought-after units in New York. For those wanting to truly live above it all, we've rounded up the tallest penthouses in their respective neighbourhoods in Manhattan. From the iconic Upper East Side to trendy NoMad, these sumptuous suites can't be topped.

Penthouse at 180 East 88th Street — Tallest on the Upper East Side

Listed with an asking price of $33 million, the penthouse at 180 East 88th Street is at the highest elevation north of 72nd Street on the Upper East Side and offers thrilling panoramic views in all directions. The duplex penthouse spans 5,508 square feet, with an additional 3,500 total square feet of exterior terrace space across all levels — including an expansive private rooftop terrace overlooking Central Park at an elevation of 467 feet. The impressive home features two living room spaces — including one with a gas fireplace and wet-bar — a large dining area, eat-in kitchen, five bedrooms plus den, four full and two half baths and a gorgeous sculptural spiral staircase leading to the upper-floor bedrooms and third-level roof terrace.

Designed by Joe McMillan’s DDG and inspired by the boom in high-rise masonry construction in New York in the early 20th century, 180 East 88th Street pays homage to the lost art of traditional craftsmanship while maintaining a modern aesthetic. The intricate exterior features a striking hand-laid brick façade made of nearly 600,000 handmade bricks by Denmark’s master brickworks Petersen Tegl, as well as signature arches. The intimate building is home to only 47 full- and half-floor homes.

180 East 88th Street

(Photo Credit: March Made for DDG)

Penthouse 60A at Madison House — Tallest in NoMad

The 5,151 square foot duplex penthouse at Madison House is the tallest home in the NoMad neighbourhood of Manhattan and offers unsurpassed panoramic views of the New York City skyline including the Empire State Building. Currently listed for $25 million, PH 60A features four-bedrooms and four and a half-bathrooms and has an elegant entry foyer that leads to an oversized great room that features a fireplace and 23-foot double height ceilings. A staircase leads to the second level that has an additional bedroom and the primary bedroom suite equipped with a wet bar and two walk-in closets. The ensuite dual baths offer honed Bianco Dolomiti marble on the walls as well as floors, which are heated, with a custom Gachot-designed vanity and mirror. Platinum matte Dornbracht fixtures accentuate the vanity, Kaldewei tubs and Durivit toilet. White oak 5-inch plank floors and 9-foot solid walnut doors are featured throughout the residence. Gachot-designed custom rift-cut cabinetry accentuates the kitchen, with a honed Calacatta Borghini marble waterfall island and backsplash. Gaggenau appliances including a cooktop, combi-steam oven, convection double oven, refrigerator, and wine refrigerator outfit the kitchen.

A striking powder room with honed Calacatta Nuevo and Absolute black marble walls complemented by a Gachot-designed custom vanity with Dornbracht fixtures is situated thoughtfully off the entry foyer. PH 60A also has a 222 square foot outdoor terrace.

Madison House offers a double height attended lobby and 30,000 square feet of amenities. These include a spa with a 75-foot lap pool, cold plunge, hot tub, steam room, sauna, and treatment room. A 2nd floor 2,800 square foot roof garden. 5th floor double height Gachot-designed private lounge and bar, 14-seat private dining room with a demonstration and catering kitchen, conference room, card room and reading room. State-of-the-art exercise room, separate yoga room, and 6th floor sports lounge with a golf simulator, billiards table and children’s playroom.

Madison House

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Madison House)

Penthouse 31A at Vandewater — Tallest in Morningside Heights

Asking $4,300,000, Penthouse 31A at Vandewater, the 33-story luxury tower designed inside and out by the celebrated INC Architecture & Design, is the tallest available residence in Morningside Heights. Boasting over 2,000 square feet of space, this gracious penthouse features breath-taking eastern and southern views of Central Park as well as wide-open northern views of the George Washington Bridge and Hudson River. The home also features a generous foyer leading to a large, elegant living and dining area and chef’s kitchen with a beautiful Quartzite island. The primary bedroom includes its own southern and eastern exposures. Every residence at Vandewater features oversized casement windows, stained white oak hardwood floors, and state-of-the-art kitchens and baths. In addition to its stunning residences, the building boasts 24,000 square feet of programmed indoor and outdoor space, including a stunning outdoor terrace and intimate private gardens by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates.

Penthouse 31A

(Photo Credit: Binyan Studios & Eric Petschek)