What Is a Penthouse? Meaning, Price & Difference vs Duplex

Do you want to buy a high-rise apartment but are not sure if a penthouse is right for you? Many people want to upgrade their lifestyle by purchasing a luxury home, but they are still deciding whether to choose an independent villa with a spacious garden or a luxury apartment with a stunning view. In this post, we will define the penthouse to learn about its benefits and disadvantages.

What Is a Penthouse?

A penthouse is a premium residential unit located on the top floor of a building. It typically features a larger layout, private outdoor space such as a terrace, and superior finishes, offering greater privacy, panoramic views, and a higher market value than standard apartments.

Historically, the term applied strictly to the top-floor unit. Today, however, its meaning has broadened: many developers and real estate agents now use "penthouse" to describe any standout luxury apartment within a building, regardless of its exact floor level. What still defines it is not necessarily its position, but its distinctive layout, exclusivity, and elevated design that sets it apart from every other unit in the building. Most penthouses also include a prominent private outdoor space or access to a private roof terrace.

Penthouse vs Duplex: What's the Difference?

The main difference is location and layout: a penthouse is a single-level unit on the top floor of a building, while a duplex spans two connected floors and can be located on any level.

The Development of Penthouse

The concept of a penthouse first emerged when designers and architects considered how to create living space on building rooftops. This architectural style made its debut in New York in 1923 at the magnificent Plaza Hotel. With its unique perspective of Central Park, the roof area was utilized to create a premium apartment.

In today’s market, luxury buildings are no longer customary to have only one. Instead, many units are designated as penthouses to indicate that they differ from other flats. Penthouse apartments are widely regarded as the peak of the real estate market, and they are often the most costly, with stunning views, spacious living rooms, and first-rate facilities. As a result, they are frequently linked with a luxurious lifestyle.

Related: The Complete Guide to Living in a Townhouse.

The Benefits of Buying a Penthouse

• Breathtaking Views

The most essential element of the penthouse is the breathtaking view of the city, the beautiful scenery, or even the distant mountains on the horizon. If the view is not stunning and pleasant, you should not spend money on it. The luxury in this type of real estate is the view of the properties. This is not an exaggeration because the view has a magical way of relaxing us and making us feel relaxed after long hours of stress.

Check out our offers for the best villas for sale in Turkiye.

• Privacy and Quite

Penthouses, which are located on the topmost level of a building, benefit from two significant advantages: privacy and tranquillity. They are more difficult to reach than ground-floor apartments, which provide a sense of security when compared to other flats. Furthermore, penthouses are often placed away from the street, offering additional privacy and a quieter setting in which to sleep and unwind in your holiday sanctuary.

• Luxury Features and Amenities

Investing in a luxury penthouse means you’re investing in the best. This includes the high-end features you’ve come to expect from a luxury property.  Standard features to expect from a luxury penthouse are  A flexible open floor plan, High ceilings and Private outdoor space.

Penthouses can provide a variety of amenities and conveniences that are not accessible on ground-level residences. These include swimming pools, balconies, gyms, and even private elevators.

• Attractive Investment

Because high-end apartments are rare in the real estate market, demand constantly exceeds supply, providing a perfect opportunity for profit when selling your luxury penthouse. Penthouse owners frequently get a great return on their initial investment, with less concern about their home degrading in value. As a niche market sector, penthouse owners also benefit from a quicker selling procedure.

The Drawbacks of a Penthouse

Although penthouses are magnificent living areas, they come with few limits. Penthouses are always higher in price in the market compared to normal apartments. This makes it difficult for people with limited budgets. To keep the penthouse in excellent shape, the owners must undertake upkeep fees. Another disadvantage of living on the top floor is that it needs long elevator rides, which might be inconvenient if you are in a hurry.

Read also: The Key Differences Between Lofts and Apartments.

How Much Does a Penthouse Cost in Turkiye?

Penthouses are generally 5% to 15% more expensive than other flats in the same building due to their stunning views and luxurious amenities. However, if you are tempted to spend more, be sure it is worth it.

The price of a penthouse in Turkey varies substantially based on many criteria, including location, size, and view.

However, to give you an idea, luxury penthouses in great locations with spectacular views and top-of-the-line facilities are expected to cost more than $400,000 and reach into the millions.

Best Penthouses Offers in Turkiye by Imtilak

Marinada Atakoy

• Located in Bakırköy, on Istanbul's European coastline, within walking distance of the marina — offering uninterrupted panoramic sea views and a boutique living experience across just 72 exclusive residences in a single 17-floor tower.
• Penthouse and villa-concept units are available alongside 1+1 duplex apartments, each with a unique, non-repetitive layout, smart home systems, underfloor heating, and premium finishes from internationally renowned brands.
• Residents enjoy a full range of upscale amenities, including a sauna, steam room, swimming pool, fitness center, landscaped terraces, and private parking with EV charging — all within a 200,000 sqm marina and lifestyle destination known for strong capital appreciation and premium rental returns.

Seba Center Residences

• Located in İstinye, Sarıyer, on Istanbul's prestigious European side, just 2 km from Istinye Marina and the coast and 1.7 km from Istinye Park Mall — a compact complex of only 40 luxury apartments across 4,000 sqm.
• Spacious penthouse units are available with 3.20-meter-high ceilings, alongside 2+1 to 5+1 layouts, finished with Nolte kitchens, Gaggenau appliances, and premium materials from world-renowned brands.
• Developed by Seba, with over 30 years of high-end development experience, the project offers strong appreciation potential, flexible payment options, and resort-style amenities including an indoor pool, fitness center, and landscaped terraces.

Ready to own your dream penthouse in Turkey? Contact our Imtilak Real Estate experts today and get a free, personalized selection of the best penthouse listings in Istanbul.