Sydney’s five standout penthouses for 2025

Sydney’s top end of town is experiencing a wave of new luxury penthouses, and there’s no shortage of buyers willing to pay top dollar for them.

The must-haves? Unobstructed views, preferably of the Harbour; multiple levels with several living areas; enough bedrooms to accommodate the Brady Bunch; and cutting-edge technology that seamlessly integrates into everyday living.

Fresh off the heels of the near $80 million sale of the three-level penthouse atop the Crown Towers building in Barangaroo, we’ve curated a list of the five best new penthouses currently on the market across Sydney.

Origami, Bondi Junction

Origami is the highest-end new development in Bondi Junction, featuring a range of penthouses to match.

The 19-level tower, developed by JQZ, has been designed by legendary Japanese architect Koichi Takada, renowned for his award-winning, cutting-edge designs that have shaped the skylines of Sydney and the Gold Coast.

The 88 apartments have been split into three separate residences: Podium, Tower, and Signature, ranging from $1.5m one-beds (without parking) to the two 320 sqm-plus penthouses.

The penthouses boast premium finishes including imported marble (Arabescato and Travertine), bespoke joinery, ultra-premium Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, wine cellars, and the best views of the city and Harbour.

Internationally renowned interior designer David Hicks, known for his work on ultra-high-end residences globally, has crafted opulent living spaces with signature details, including custom marble benchtop edging, atmospheric lighting, and sumptuous bathrooms described as “sanctuary within a sea of spa-like space.”

“I wanted to create the same standard of sophistication and lavishness that people have come to expect from the houses I have worked on,” said Hicks.

Residents will enjoy luxury amenities, including a heated rooftop pool with panoramic views, BBQ facilities, a wellness room, a gym, and a 24-hour hotel-style concierge service.

1st City agents Brad Caldwell-Eyles and Yaron Foghel are marketing Origami.

Sirius, The Rocks

The penthouse atop the Sirius building offers views that are never to be repeated. Sirius, a redevelopment of the brutalist social housing block designed by legendary architect Harry Seidler in 1979, is the closest building to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, facing north and offering gun-barrel, never-to-be-built-out views of the Sydney Opera House.

The penthouse spans over 430 sqm of internal space, featuring an open-plan living and dining area that flows seamlessly to a 40 sqm outdoor entertaining terrace with sweeping views and a private plunge pool.

Its custom-made kitchen features hand-selected joinery, marble, and high-end Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. There are four bedrooms, each with an ensuite, one of which is part of the master wing, complete with its own lounge room, study, opulent bathroom with a steam shower, and an extensive custom walk-in wardrobe.

The building offers a 24/7 concierge service, a gym, a heated swimming pool and sauna, as well as a lounge and meeting room.

The penthouse has a guide price between $45m and $50m, listed with Steven Chen of The Agency and Colliers Director Luke Hayes.

The Cove, The Rocks

Staying in The Rocks, and in another landmark building by Harry Seidler. The SkyHouse, the penthouse atop the 2003-built Harrington Street tower, has been listed for $30 million.

Reportedly eyed by Nicole Kidman and Aussie John Symond when it was for sale in 2018, the three-level apartment spans around 687 sqm and features one of the most unique attributes of a penthouse not just on this list, but in the country: a super-yacht-inspired rooftop spa terrace, complete with a sunken spa and views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom penthouse features a private spa retreat with a Jacuzzi and massage table, a gym, a butler’s pantry and a separate bar in the kitchen, and a self-contained guest wing.

Levy Property Group Double Bay agents Nathan Antunes and Chana Levy have the listing.

West Village, Sydney

The most recent penthouse listing is one of the best on the list—a three-level, glass-encased apartment in the heart of the CBD. Crowning a Kent Street building designed by Angelo Candalepas, the expansive apartment spans 412 sqm of internal and external space and has been pitched as a ‘home in the sky.’

The heart of the penthouse is its expansive sculptural kitchen, featuring natural stone and timber joinery, paired with premium appliances, including a wine climate cabinet. The main living and dining areas flow onto a landscaped private terrace, offering views over the city and Darling Harbour. A private lift or staircase connects each of the three levels.

The second floor houses three of the four bedrooms, while the top level is dedicated solely to the master suite, complete with a bedroom, lounge area, walk-in wardrobe, and a stone-finished bathroom, as well as a private rooftop terrace surrounded by lush greenery.

Laver Residential Projects is marketing West Village, which has a total of eight apartments. The development is scheduled to be completed by 2027.

Bianca, Drummoyne

Not all penthouses are in the sky. Some penthouse buyers prefer to be on the top level of a smaller block, more interested in having neighbours and a community rather than sweeping views.

That being said, the penthouse atop Bianca Drummoyne, the new boutique harbourfront development by Central Element, boasts uninterrupted views of the water and down the harbour to the Harbour Bridge.

The 410 sqm penthouse, designed by Adam Haddow of SJB Architects, occupies the entire top level of the five-storey building, which features just 12 apartments. It features direct lift access that opens directly to the views. There are three lounge areas, an extended island bench, and the pièce de résistance: the terrace with a built-in outdoor kitchen, alfresco dining, and lounge area, all with private views over the water.

The penthouse is listed with a $15.5 million asking price.

The spring property market is shaping up as the most active in recent memory, according to property experts Two Red Shoes.

Mortgage brokers Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton and Brett Sutton point to a potent mix of pent-up buyer demand, robust seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme as catalysts for a sustained run.

“We’re seeing an unprecedented level of activity, with high auction numbers already a clear indicator of the market’s trajectory,” said Sutton. “Last week, Sydney saw its second-highest number of auctions for the year. This kind of volume, even before the new First Home Guarantee Scheme (FHGS) changes take effect, signals a powerful market run.”

Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton added a note of caution. “While inquiries are at an all-time high, the big question is whether we will have enough stock to meet this demand. The market is incredibly hot, and this could lead to a highly competitive environment for buyers, with many homes selling for hundreds of thousands above their reserve.”

“With listings not keeping pace with buyer demand, buyers are needing to compromise faster and bid harder.”

Two Red Shoes identifies several spring trends. The First Home Guarantee Scheme is expected to unlock a wave of first-time buyers by enabling eligible purchasers to enter with deposits as low as 5 per cent. The firm notes this supports entry and reduces rent leakage, but it is a demand-side fix that risks pushing prices higher around the relevant caps.

Buyer behaviour is shifting toward flexibility. With competition intense, purchasers are prioritising what they can afford over ideal suburb or land size. Two Red Shoes expects the common first-home target price to rise to between $1 and $1.2 million over the next six months.

Affordable corridors are drawing attention. The team highlights Hawkesbury, Claremont Meadows and growth areas such as Austral, with Glenbrook in the Lower Blue Mountains posting standout results. Preliminary Sydney auction clearance rates are holding above 70 per cent despite increased listings, underscoring the depth of demand.

The heat is not without friction. Reports of gazumping have risen, including instances where contract statements were withheld while agents continued to receive offers, reflecting the pressure on buyers in fast-moving campaigns.

Rates are steady, yet some banks are quietly trimming variable and fixed products. Many borrowers are maintaining higher repayments to accelerate principal reduction. “We’re also seeing a strong trend in rent-vesting, where owner-occupiers are investing in a property with the eventual goal of moving into it,” said Jarrett-Dalton.

“This is a smart strategy for safeguarding one’s future in this competitive market, where all signs point to an exceptionally busy and action-packed season.”

Two Red Shoes expects momentum to carry through the holiday period and into the new year, with competition remaining elevated while stock lags demand.