£80m for a flat? The ultimate in city living offered by the sky-high properties of New York

In London a four-floor townhouse in Mayfair is the most prized of homes, but across the Atlantic you know you've made it when you hold the keys to an Upper East Side penthouse.

And the rich are willing to part with millions to get their hands on the ultimate trophy property.

Sotheby's International Realty currently lists a five-bedroom home at the top of the Pierre Hotel by Central Park for an eye-watering £80million.

"The ultimate is a penthouse overlooking Central Park. The closer you're to the park, the more prestigious the place," one New Yorker told Yahoo! Finance.

"I walk by one they are building whenever I go across town - and think 'one day'."

The view worth nearly £50million (Sotheby's)

Another marketed by Sotheby's has an asking price of £48million. The icing on the cake is a master bedroom suite formed of two full bedrooms, double bathrooms, and an enormous dressing room overlooking the city's most famous park.
But the huge price-tag also bags the owner a private entry foyer, four additional en-suite bedrooms, a formal AND informal dining room, a kitchen with pantry, library and media room.

The smug owner of this penthouse can lap up views of Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. (Savills)

Who wouldn't fancy these views alongside a morning cup of coffee? (Savills)

The most desirable penthouses have stunning views from all sides of the apartment - and lots of floor to ceiling windows from which to take in the city visas - hiding from the neighbours isn't a concern when you're up that high.

Ideally the property will also be more than just one floor, three is best but two will do. Of course, each will have show-stopping views.

You'll need £18 million to buy this penthouse in Greenwich Village (Sotheby's)

A penthouse with two or more floors is the most desirable. This one's on sale for a cool £18million (Savills)

Snap up the views and accopanying apartment for £18 million (Knight Frank)

“In the last 2-3 years the best units including prime penthouses have achieved some of the highest prices/sqft in the world and continue to set the standard for design and specification around the world- without a doubt they are sought after and have a strong base of both domestic and international buyers," said James Price Partner in the International Department at Knight Frank.

“The New York Penthouse apartment has perennial appeal in part because of the many images from films and photography but also because of the culture of high rise living in the City.

"In contrast, many London buyers are looking for gardens and space, but in Manhattan, for example, a purchase decision is founded on proximity to the parks, views of the surrounding City and the status that the right postcode imbues on a property."