Penthouses for Sale in the Washington Metropolitan Area

Life at the top is pretty good in Washington Metro. Especially when the top is a swank multimillion-dollar penthouse condo for sale with panoramic views of the Potomac River and iconic national monuments. Typically defined as an apartment on the top floor or roof of a building, these highly desirable units are more than that. They have come to epitomize luxury and exclusivity—high above the teeming masses.

Penthouse for Sale in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia

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It used to be that penthouses represented the ultimate in elitism with just one residence at the apex of a skyscraper. That was before enterprising developers realized they could squeeze more marketing exclusivity out of their projects by dividing the top into more than one lofty abode. No matter—these rooms with a view are still the pinnacle of luxury, even if you do have to grit your teeth and accept the fact that you may have a next-door neighbor.

Mirroring trends in cities such as New York and Chicago, these bird nest DC dwellings came into popularity during the early 1920s. It was a time of style and opulence, and the idea of creating luxury living quarters at the top of the city’s grand apartment buildings came into vogue. Decades later, when condos for sale became a staple of real estate, penthouses resumed their rightful place at the top of the pecking order. By this point, tall buildings had also migrated beyond the District to Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County and beyond. Bethesda, Maryland is known for its luxury condos, while Rosslyn, Arlington is home to impressive waterfront high-rises such as Turnberry Tower.

Are penthouses only to be found atop very tall towers then? Not at all. They can be found on the upper floors of any multistory building, including mid-rises, row houses, converted industrial buildings or even former schools. But despite all the different applications, we still associate the term with that longstanding iconic ideal—the height of fashion with high ceilings, huge windows and a rooftop terrace.

Penthouse condos for sale in Washington, Northern Virginia and Maryland come in a variety of sizes and price tags. While we may typically think of those super-expensive multi-level luxury pads with every amenity imaginable, penthouses can also be surprisingly affordable—listing in the low six figures in some areas. Perhaps life at the top is not just an idle dream.

To learn more about penthouses for sale, call District Partners at Compass, at (202) 400-3070.


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