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This $46M penthouse in SF is still up for grabs

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It comes with a lot of bragging rights—but no balcony or outdoor terrace

A high-rise tower with zigzagging beams and a pointy spire on top.
Exterior of 181 Fremont as seen from Salesforce Park in the East Cut.
Photos by Matthew Millman, courtesy of Jay Paul Company

Mark, Larry, Sergey, Jack, Travis, and other white men who make up the disproportional wealth in San Francisco and across the world, listen up: The sprawling grand penthouse atop 181 Fremont is still on the market—and it could be yours with whatever pocket change you have laying around.

But be warned, well-to-do homebuyers, the first thing I notice inside the top-floor abode was the lack of balcony and terrace. So, if you want to make a quick escape for fresh air, residents will have to hop in an elevator, plummet 700 feet below, and huff with the plebes on the sidewalk.

“The building envelope was designed and approved prior to our acquisition of the site,” explains Matt Lituchy, chief investment officer of Jay Paul Company, the developer of 181 Fremont. “Any changes would have reopened the entitlement process and delayed project commencement by as much as 12 months or longer.”

A room with dark wood paneling, half circle bench, and a red piece of art hanging above it.
The foyer decked out in walnut paneling.

He also notes that, in addition to not wanting to take any structural risks, “the climate was not really conducive to the enjoyment and use of outdoor space at 700 feet in the sky.”

But what this castle on a cloud lacks in outdoor access, it makes up for in luxe amenities, big-name interiors, and 360-degree views of the entire city and beyond.

Featuring four bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, and 6,941 square feet, the grand penthouse, offered as a turnkey residence, was designed by Hornberger + Worstell and comes with interiors by Mary Ta and Lars Hypko, founders of Los Angeles-based MASS Beverly, who’ve worked on homes for Elon Musk and Jay Z.

The foyer, paneled entirely in walnut, leads to the living space that comes with floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the entire, full-floor residence. Highlights include a grand dining room with a Viabizzuno Sempre Mia-designed chandelier made from burnished brass rings; a study decked out i in Henge green suede strip lounge chairs and Bottega Veneta furnishings like suede Director’s chairs, a desk, and Murano lamps; a main kitchen and a catering kitchen; and bathrooms with porcelain glass floors and marble slabs seamlessly bookmatched.

A living room with a circular indentation in the ceiling with recessed lighting inside, widows galore with views of the city and the fog, and half-circle couch and seating.
The foyer leads to the main living room, which comes with views of the Transamerica Pyramid.

There’s also a home gym—you know, in case Barry’s Bootcamp has finally lost its appeal.

While the penthouse’s rooms aplenty are large and appropriately opulent, it’s hard not to forget that residential life here exists primarily along the building’s perimeter, even with the penthouse’s long hallway that leads to the bedrooms. No matter; this is a home brimming with quality-made details and a lifetime’s worth of bragging rights.

The penthouse also has access to the 39th floor terrace, which comes with a fitness center, a library, yoga room, two lounges, and a bar. There’s also exclusive bridge access to the 5.4-acre rooftop Salesforce Park below.

Asking is $46 million, listed through Leo Medeiros with Compass Development.

An office with two black chairs, a desk, and a floating shelves with a handful of books and some ceramics on it.
Not a bad place to work from home.
A room with floor to ceiling windows on one side, a wall made of marble with a long fireplace, and two cream-colored couches facing each other.
Lounge area comes with bookmatched marble fireplace with two-sided view panel.
A table with 10 dining room chairs, green run underneath, and a light fixture above with five circular rings that light up.
Formal dining room features a custom Henge S-Penny dining table, Henge burnished brass rings chandelier, and gold frame dining chairs in Kolly Bianco fabric.
A large bed with a black rectangular rug in front.
Highlights in the master bedroom include an Armani marble wall feature and Minotti Lawrence headboard and bed .
Marble paneled bathroom with white soaking tub.
Relaxing in an oversized marble steam shower (left) or lounging in the soaking tubs are great ways to take in the views right outside the master bathroom.