In ultra-luxury real estate, few properties can claim the literal high ground quite like the Burj Khalifa penthouse—aptly nicknamed “Sky Palace”—which has been listed for $51 million. You read that correctly.
Spanning 21,000 square-feet across the 107th and 108th floors of the world’s tallest building, this duplex sits approximately 1,300 feet above Dubai’s cityscape. The penthouse offers what listing agent, Asad Khan, CEO of Invest Dubai Real Estate, describes as an unparalleled 360-degree panorama encompassing the Arabian Gulf, Dubai’s Business Bay, and the vast desert beyond.
And get this—the penthouse is being offered as a shell-and-core unit—essentially a blank canvas of concrete floors, concrete ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls. For the buyer with a vision (and very deep pockets), this is the ultimate opportunity to create a truly bespoke residence. According to New York Post, Khan estimates an additional $10 million investment would transform the space into something “ultra-luxury that nobody else has in Dubai.”
The property’s current owner, Karl Haddad, chairman and CEO of IRC Invest, acquired the penthouse in 2020 from Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties and the developer behind the Burj Khalifa. After sitting vacant for over a decade—reportedly reserved for an unnamed VIP—Haddad decided the time was right to bring this property to the market. The reason for selling? Simply put, Haddad lacks the bandwidth to oversee such an ambitious renovation project.
Residents also enjoy access to the building’s amenities, including a private residents’ lounge, fitness center, tennis courts, Japanese gardens, two swimming pools (on the 43rd and 76th floors), and 24-hour concierge service.
Since hitting the market in early 2025 after a soft launch last year, the property has attracted interest from across the Atlantic. Khan reports being surprised by the “huge amount of inquiries from the US,” including interest from Hollywood agents, sports figures ranging from basketball players to NASCAR drivers, and even boxer Floyd Mayweather. According to Business Insider, Emirate’s booming population has grown significantly since 2020, with expatriates accounting for 87% of that increase. There are currently around 40,000 people from the U.S. living in the city, with Americans making up one of the largest expat communities in the emirate.
Despite its eye-watering price tag, the Burj Khalifa penthouse isn’t even close to being Dubai’s most expensive residence. That title belongs to a penthouse at Como Residence, which reportedly sold for approximately $136 million. Regardless, this floating palace offers perhaps the ultimate statement in prestigious living—provided you don’t mind spending a few extra million to install the basics like walls, bathrooms, and a kitchen.
Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE Decor, where she manages the brand’s social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle, and culture in the design world. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities, and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, art and lifestyle. Over her five years of digital media experience, Julia has written about numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.
