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Life at the top: inside London’s most extraordinary penthouses

With rarity, prestige and panoramic views, London’s finest penthouses continue to captivate buyers seeking elevated living in the heart of the city

20 November 2025

4 mins read

Life at the top: inside London’s most extraordinary penthouses
Images of Gasholders, King's Cross © Tony Murray

ā€œThere has always been a certain cachet associated with penthouse properties,ā€ describes , a Partner in 51ĀŅĀ×’s London New Homes team. ā€œThey very much represent life at the top - both literally and metaphorically.ā€

For a word now synonymous with modern luxury, the penthouse has surprisingly humble origins. The term stems from the Anglo-Norman French apentis, meaning an attached or leaning structure. Its contemporary meaning - a top-floor residence high above the city - didn’t emerge until the early 20th century, when taller buildings and the rise of the modern lift made elevated living both possible and desirable.

Penthouse living in the heart of London

In 21st-century London, penthouses are among the most covetable ways to live in the heart of the city. According to Davies, their appeal lies largely in the combination of panoramic outlooks and privacy. ā€œOften, a penthouse will occupy an entire floorplate, meaning no adjoining neighbours,ā€ she explains. ā€œEven in cases where penthouses share the top floor, the layout still affords exceptional privacy, a rare luxury in a densely populated city like London.ā€

They also offer strong long-term investment potential. ā€œPenthouses tend to hold or even appreciate in value thanks to their scarcity and prestige,ā€ she adds. ā€œFor investors, they are often regarded as trophy assets - properties with enduring appeal that remain largely unaffected by future development, owing to their elevated position and exclusivity.ā€

Crafting the ultimate sky-high sanctuary

Space planning is a key consideration in penthouse design, with every element carefully conceived to maximise the views. Typically, the main living area occupies the part of the floorplan with the most impressive outlooks. In larger spaces, this open-plan layout can be subtly zoned using bespoke joinery to create distinct yet cohesive areas. Elsewhere, layouts are designed to incorporate functional spaces and enhanced amenities such as leisure suites or private cinema rooms. “Additionally, split-level penthouses help to establish a clearer separation between living and entertainment zones and the more private bedroom areas,” says Davies.

Often benefiting from exclusive features such as private lifts and expansive outdoor spaces, these residences offer an elevated specification and finish that appeal to those seeking a more bespoke lifestyle. They seamlessly integrate the latest advancements in technology, all designed to enhance comfort and livability. Davies observes that wellness and sustainability are becoming key priorities for both developers and buyers, particularly among younger generations.

ā€œSmart home technology is increasingly connected to wellness through features like air quality monitoring and circadian lighting, to sustainability through energy tracking and efficient HVAC systems, and to luxury living through premium audio, tailored lighting scenes, and curated ambiance,ā€ she explains. ā€œFor a penthouse, these elements are part of the narrative.ā€

Discover three London penthouses currently on the market, each offering an extraordinary blend of style, space and skyline views.

Skyward, King's Cross, London

Skyward penthouse at Gasholders, King's Cross. Guide price £6,975,000

Gasholders is one of the crown jewels of the dynamic King’s Cross estate, a Grade II-listed Victorian structure that stands as a dramatic focal point on the skyline. Within lies a collection of 145 exceptional residences, among them the four-bedroom Skyward Penthouse. Its serene, inviting design mirrors the architectural drama and graceful curves of the building itself and the adjacent Regent’s Canal. Residents benefit from a 24-hour concierge and an array of state-of-the-art amenities.

A triumph of innovation and advanced engineering, Gasholders was designed by renowned architects WilkinsonEyre, with interior architecture in public areas by Jonathan Tuckey Design. The interior design of Skyward is by Clerkenwell-based practice Johnson Naylor and dressed by A.London, with every detail meticulously considered. The split-level penthouse features balconies on both floors and a sculptural staircase, leading to an expansive 80 sq.m private roof terrace, a true showpiece of the home.

Penthouse at The Edit, SE1. Prices from £4,750,000

Penthouse at The Edit, SE1. Prices from £4,750,000

The Edit, set in London’s vibrant South Bank, exemplifies a truly bespoke approach to urban living. Surrounded by world-class culture, art, and dining, residents enjoy access not only to the neighbourhood’s finest offerings but also to a dedicated Curator team ready to unlock the very best the city has to offer. Complementing this service is an impressive suite of premium amenities designed for effortless living.

These include a Peloton-powered gym and holistic wellness spaces created to restore both body and mind, featuring an outdoor sauna and invigorating ice bath. Inside, the apartment maintains the same level of refinement, combining harmonious design with precision craftsmanship and state-of-the-art appliances from Swiss brand V-ZUG.

One Park Drive Penthouse, Canary Wharf. Prices from £3,950,000.

One Park Drive Penthouse, Canary Wharf. Prices from £3,950,000.

At the apex of One Park Drive, in the heart of Canary Wharf, lie some of the most remarkable penthouses in the capital. Building upon the visionary architecture of Herzog & de Meuron, the interiors have been created by Design Research Studio, the acclaimed multidisciplinary practice led by Tom Dixon and Helene Bangsbo Andersen.

Inspired by the tower’s distinctive curves, the duplex residences are centred around a sculptural staircase that defines their sleek, contemporary aesthetic. Expansive, curvaceous windows and double-height spaces flood the interiors with natural light and frame sweeping skyline views. Alongside generous terraces encircling the building, each penthouse also features its own private courtyard garden, a serene retreat high above the city.

Searching for your perfect penthouse?

Discover more penthouses for sale across the UK

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