As Seattle’s oldest skyscraper, Smith Tower is a beloved landmark for residents of the Emerald City. Still, its pyramid-shaped penthouse apartment is a secret gem that’s never been on the market – until now.

The Seattle apartment spans the 37th and 38th floors and is owned and managed by Unico Properties. It is the only private residence in the 1914 office building, converted from its former water tower, and was remodelled in the late 1990s for venture capitalist Petra Franklin, who secured a 20-year lease on the space that has now ended.

Graham Baba Architects polished the 2,128 sq ft apartment’s historic bones, whitewashing oak wall panels punctuated by 24 triangular windows, and introducing a blackened steel catwalk that skirts the living room and accesses the lantern room.

The master bedroom, guest area and bathrooms are located on the lower level, while a staircase leads to the glass globe at the very top of the skyscraper – a unique selling point if ever there was one. Here there are panoramic views of the city, Olympic Mountains, Mt Rainier, Cascades and Puget Sound.

Of course, lofty penthouse living comes with a price tag to match: the Smith Tower penthouse is for long-term lease at $17,000 per month via Moira Holley of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty.

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