The word “penthouse” is the one that causes a New Yorker’s heart to skip a beat more than any other word. After all, what could be more of a realization of a real estate fantasy than pressing the sparkling “PH” button in the elevator and climbing to your very own magnificent apartment on the roof of the building?
The vast majority of the time, penthouses offer all those things and more, including breathtaking views, groomed terraces, and, perhaps most importantly, seclusion! Keep reading to find out more about a New York City penthouse.
Are They on the Top Floor?
A New York City penthouse is defined by the New York City Building Code as an enclosed building constructed on or above a building’s roof and intended for human occupation. You’d assume that since most structures only have one roof, they can only have one penthouse. Yet, employing setbacks and staggered roofs, developers of new houses have widened the concept of a penthouse.
For instance, an apartment on floor 11 in a building with three levels of penthouses from floors 11 to 14 may be referred to as a penthouse because it is set back from the floor below it so far that it rests on the roof of floor 10.
How Big Are They?
The biggest penthouses in New York City are very stunning. Yet, larger doesn’t always mean better. Who cares about square footage when you have glass walls that open up to floor-to-ceiling views of the city at a place like 35 Hudson Yards? With fewer units per level and no neighbors above you, the traditional penthouse boasts the greatest views in the building and more seclusion.
