Australia’s luxury property market has reached new heights, with Australia’s most expensive apartment priced at $140 million. This record-setting penthouse at One Sydney Harbour boasts nine bedrooms and a private rooftop pool with spectacular harbour views.
Sydney leads the luxury apartment market, where prices soar to $27,000 per square metre. The Boyd Residence in Sydney’s ANZ building sold for $60 million and spans an impressive 2,400 square metres with panoramic harbour views. A stunning riverfront penthouse in East Perth has also entered the market at $20 million. This 1,897-square-metre property comes with six king-sized bedrooms and space for eight cars.
Let’s take a closer look at five of Australia’s most expensive apartments, which have broken price records. We’ll explore their distinctive features and architectural excellence and learn about the affluent buyers behind these significant purchases.
The One Sydney Harbour Penthouse: Australia’s $150 Million Crown Jewel
The One Sydney Harbour penthouse sits at the peak of Barangaroo’s beautiful waterfront precinct. This remarkable home broke all property records with its AUD 214.06 million sale in 2019. The residence takes up three floors at the top of Lendlease’s flagship project.
The Record-Breaking Sale
This sale made history in Australian real estate. It beat the previous record held by the Point Piper estate Fairwater, which tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes bought for AUD 152.90 million. The sale marked the first time an apartment became Australia’s most valuable residential property—a title that houses had always claimed.
The price is AUD 152,899 per square metre, topped by a 280-square-metre penthouse in the Opera Residences, which set a 2017 record of AUD 147,394.
The buyer got both the two-story penthouse and the sub-penthouse below it, creating a unique three-floor home that rules Sydney’s skyline from 247 metres above sea level.
Inside Australia’s Most Expensive Apartment
This luxury masterpiece spans more than 1,600 square metres. The designers crafted every detail to create unmatched luxury. Australia’s most expensive apartment features:
- Nine bedrooms, with a master suite more significant than most family homes
- A grand foyer with eight-metre-high ceilings
- A private rooftop swimming pool, spa and gymnasium
- Several outdoor terraces with sweeping views
The penthouse showcases the finest materials throughout. Marble appears in many rooms, with dark patterns in the kitchen and soft whites and greys in the bathrooms. Designer Daniel Goldberg picked natural materials that create calm, open spaces.
Architectural Brilliance: Renzo Piano’s Vision
Pritzker Prize-winner Renzo Piano-designed One Sydney Harbour. His creations include well-known structures like Paris’s Centre Georges Pompidou and London’s The Shard. Piano’s subtle touch created a timeless landmark that celebrates Sydney’s iconic landscape.
The building’s skin looks like crystal faces. Each tower reflects light differently as the day passes. They respond to each other and mirror the colours of Sydney’s sky and harbour. The effect makes the building seem to float between the city and nature, giving residents the feeling of living between water and sky.
Perth’s Mardalup Masterpiece: The $25 Million Riverfront Wonder
The Mardalup penthouse in Perth is jaw-droppingly priced at AUD 38.22 million. This property stands out as Western Australia’s most expensive apartment. The magnificent two-storey apartment sits in East Perth’s prestigious Claisebrook Cove.
From Corporate Office to Luxury Residence
The Mardalup building started as a commercial office space on Brown Street. Developer Ian Johnson helped arrange this remarkable change. He turned the former Heytesbury Holdings office building—once Robert Holmes à Court’s property—into a boutique residential complex of exceptional quality.
The team stripped the commercial structure to its core before redesigning it into five exclusive residences. This smart approach matches a growing trend in Australian cities: Developers are now looking to turn unused office buildings into premium homes.
Unrivalled Space: Australia’s Largest Apartment
The Mardalup penthouse spans 1897 square metres, making it one of Australia’s largest apartments. It’s about seven times bigger than an average Western Australian home. This spectacular property covers the top two floors and has:
- Six king-sized bedrooms and eight bathrooms
- Three separate kitchens, including indoor and outdoor options
- A 220-square-metre private eight-car garage
- Private lift connecting all levels
- Dedicated maid’s quarters
- Temperature-controlled wine cellar
- Soundproof cinema room
- Fully-equipped gymnasium and steam room
- Rooftop swimming pool with panoramic views
The apartment’s size gives residents a unique experience. It features 889 square metres of internal space plus 774 square metres of terrace and balcony. The property’s direct water frontage to the Swan River is special. Developer Ian Johnson says, “You can throw a fishing line off the balcony.”
Designer Details and Premium Finishes
Interior designer Maria Monaco created the penthouse’s luxurious interiors with careful attention. Premium materials fill the space, from beautiful timbers to natural stone, custom carpets, and specially made cabinetry. European manufacturers supplied all fixtures, fittings and appliances, including Gaggenau kitchen appliances.
The main living area showcases architectural excellence. Fully folding doors open to a huge terrace, a custom-curved wine cellar makes a bold statement at the entrance.
William Porteous Properties International agent Peter Robertson highlights the property’s special status: “This is Perth’s most prestigious penthouse… It is an absolutely unique offering. It feels more like a huge house”. The property comes fully furnished with premium appointments.
Sydney’s ANZ Tower Penthouse: The $70 Million Urban Oasis
The Boyd Residence sits at the top of Sydney’s prestigious ANZ Tower in the busy CBD. This three-level penthouse sold for AUD 70 million in 2021 and is proof of luxury living at its finest. The sky mansion takes up the entire 43rd floor of the commercial tower and delivers an exclusive living experience that few Australian properties can match.
The Boyd Residence Legacy
The penthouse gets its name from John Boyd, a prominent developer who made a savvy real estate move during the building’s original development. Boyd sold five combined lots on Castlereagh and Pitt Streets to Grocon but kept the rights to the level 43 penthouse. The residence was completed in 2015 after four years of construction and became home to Boyd, his wife, and their young child.
The property’s story goes beyond just being a home. In 2016, it played a brief role in Australian politics by hosting a peace agreement between Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and broadcaster Alan Jones. The penthouse managed to keep its status as one of Sydney’s most desired addresses and later became the set for Channel 7’s TV drama “Between Two Worlds.”
360-degree Harbour Views That Command a Premium
Located about 600 feet above street level, The Boyd Residence offers a unique panoramic view of Sydney’s iconic landscape. The penthouse’s strategic position gives residents amazing 360-degree views of the harbour and city skyline.
Sydney Harbour’s curved edges inspired the museum-like home’s design. Residents can now enjoy Sydney’s legendary beauty from almost every room in this extraordinary space.
Award-Winning Design Features
The Boyd Residence showed its architectural excellence by winning “The World’s Finest Residence” at the 2017 International Design & Architecture Awards. Architect Richard Francis-Jones designed the building’s structure, while designer Blainey North created its dramatic interiors.
This remarkable home features:
- Double-height glass walls that maximise natural light and views
- Rooftop swimming pool with terraces and cabana lounge
- Four luxurious bedroom suites, each with marble bathrooms
- Private express lift for exclusive access and privacy
- Sleek fireplace in the double-height living area
- Club-like study and panelled cigar room that works as an intimate dining space
- Conference room and fully equipped gymnasium
Brisbane’s Skyhome: Breaking Queensland’s $30 Million Ceiling
Queensland’s luxury real estate market hit new heights in 2025. A Brisbane penthouse broke the state record by selling for AUD 30.58 million. This sale changed people’s perceptions of Brisbane’s place among Australia’s premium property markets. The city now stands tall with Sydney and Melbourne.
The New Brisbane Luxury Landscape
Brisbane has become a luxury property hotspot, marking a big change in Australia’s high-end real estate rankings. In the last twelve months, four whole-floor sky homes in the River House development sold for nearly AUD 45.87 million. Each apartment sold between AUD 9.94 million and AUD 12.54 million. These premium property values show that wealthy buyers now see Brisbane as a real alternative to the southern markets.
The Emporium Hotel penthouse perfectly shows this trend. At 891 square metres, it’s one of Australia’s largest penthouses. This luxury home features a 15-metre infinity pool, a six-car garage, and a wine cellar with over 5,000 bottles. Residents get unique access to the hotel’s five-star services—24-hour concierge, room service, valet parking, and housekeeping.
Amenities That Redefine Luxury Living
Brisbane’s premium apartments have excellent amenities that make everyday life feel like a resort. The Lanes Skyhome and Penthouse Collection offers:
- Climate-controlled wine cellars
- Gas fireplaces
- Private elevators
- Rooftop terraces with private pools
- Parking for up to four cars
Residents also enjoy shared facilities like the Palm Lagoon Pool, Sky Deck, Lookout Bar and Terrace, private dining room, health oasis, and scenic picnic lawns. Service has become a key feature, with the Emporium penthouse offering hotel-quality concierge services that lift the living experience above typical apartment life.
Melbourne’s Collins Street Penthouse: The $40 Million Southern Star
The Collins House penthouse is Melbourne’s crown jewel of luxury real estate. This AUD 40 million masterpiece has become Victoria’s most remarkable residential property. The 480-square-metre space stretches across the 56th and 57th floors and offers stunning 270-degree views of the city skyline and Port Phillip Bay.
The Transformation of Melbourne’s Luxury Apartment Scene
Melbourne’s growth into a global city has created a need for homes that match world-class standards. The Collins House penthouse perfectly shows this development. It sits at the top of one of the world’s thinnest residential towers. Bates Smart architects and Hickory builders created this slender structure that merges with Melbourne’s historic Maker’s Mark façade. The building showcases beautiful Art Nouveau details and perfectly blends heritage and modern design in Melbourne’s luxury scene.
Celebrity Appeal and Notable Neighbours
Melbourne attracts many high-profile residents, though specific names remain private. The penthouse features work by famous Australian artist Dale Frank. One piece needed crane installation before the top level’s completion. Residents can access the exclusive St James Club on Level 27, which offers private dining, a modern gym, and city views.
Conclusion – Australia’s Most Expensive Apartment
Australia’s most expensive apartments have hit new heights with record-breaking sales that have reshaped the property scene. The One Sydney Harbour penthouse, priced at AUD 214.06 million, now leads the luxury living market. Premium residential spaces have also emerged in Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
These remarkable homes share standard features that define true luxury. The world-class architecture combines breathtaking views and top-tier amenities. The elite level of these properties includes private rooftop pools, multi-car garages, wine cellars, and dedicated concierge services. Architectural breakthroughs play a vital role. Designers maximise natural light and add sustainable features that naturally blend indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Sydney leads the premium market in Australia’s most expensive apartment, while Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne show strong potential through their record sales. These developments attract both domestic and foreign purchasers, making Australia a major force in the world market for luxury real estate.
The soaring win of these properties highlights Australia’s maturing real estate sector. Each city offers something special. Sydney captivates with its harbour views, Perth attracts with its riverfront location, Brisbane appeals with its subtropical lifestyle, and Melbourne charms with its cultural sophistication. These unique advantages create a varied luxury real estate scene that appeals to the world’s most selective buyers.
What is Australia’s most expensive apartment?
The One Sydney Harbour penthouse is Australia’s most expensive apartment, which sold for AUD 214.06 million. This three-level residence spans 1,600 square metres and features nine bedrooms, multiple outdoor terraces, and a private rooftop pool with panoramic harbour views.
How does Perth’s luxury apartment market compare to other Australian cities?
Perth’s luxury apartment market is growing rapidly, with the Mardalup penthouse selling for AUD 38.22 million. While not as expensive as Sydney’s top offerings, Perth’s market outperforms other Australian capitals in terms of luxury residential property price growth, ranking 14th globally.
What amenities are common in Australia’s ultra-luxury real estate apartments?
Australia’s most expensive apartments typically feature private rooftop pools, multi-car garages, wine cellars, private lifts, and dedicated concierge services. Many also include home cinemas, fully-equipped gymnasiums, and multiple kitchens for entertaining.
How are commercial buildings being transformed into luxury living in Australia?
Developers are increasingly converting underutilised office buildings into premium residential spaces. For example, Perth’s Mardalup penthouse was created by transforming a former commercial office building, taking advantage of its large floor heights to create a superior living space.