Bold, bright and colourful fireworks displays helped revellers around the country ring in the new year.
Imagine, if you will, that you are rich. Filthy rich. So rich, in fact, that you can afford to buy a property just for the New Year’s Eve celebration opportunities it offers.
So, what can the world offer? Well, we’ve made a list.
These are our favourite houses – or apartments, and definitely penthouses – in which we would like to pop some French champagne and shout: “Happy New Year!”
Last year’s New Year’s Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour. Photo: Janie Barrett
Sydney, Australia
![Milsons Point.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/b/u/9/l/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481773203971.png)
11/1 Northcliff Street, Milsons Point.
What is more Sydney than (almost) floor-to-ceiling views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? If you want a front row seat to the light show adorning the city’s most famous bit of infrastructure, we suggest this apartment in Milson’s Point.
The swanky pad takes up a whole floor of 1 Northcliff Street, and offers a panoramic vista of harbour. David Malouf, from LJ Hooker Double Bay, has the listing.
Some other suggestions that might take your fancy are the stunning Penthouse in the Alchemy building, also in Milsons Point, or if you need a bit more space, this four-bedroom Spanish Mission style mansion in Vaucluse.
![Sub-Penthouse, 350 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/c/f/s/a/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481845078336.png)
The sub-penthouse at 350 St Kilda Road.
Melbourne, Australia
Not to be outdone by Sydney, Melbourne has this impressive marble-floored sub-penthouse in the St James building, just up from the Royal Botanic Gardens with expansive views of the city.
Or you can try this north-facing, 450-square-metre South Yarra penthouse perched 20 floors up also overlooking the city, or this incredibly fancy St Kilda penthouse with a private foyer and 360- degree views.
London, England
![The penthouse in Whitehall Court, St James.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/b/u/z/1/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481774125150.png)
The penthouse in Whitehall Court, St James. Photo: Sotheby’s International
This penthouse in Whitehall Court, St James, offers spiral staircases, vaulted ceilings and, most importantly, views of the Thames and New Year’s Eve fireworks show from the roof terrace. It’s a stone’s throw from Charing Cross and Embankment Tube stations as well, so very convenient if you decide to pop out afterwards. Sotheby’s has it listed for £4,850,000 ($8,196,000).
Or, on the south side of the Thames, you can nab a five-bedroom apartment in Vauxhall with a reception room overlooking the river stretching from Battersea Power Station up to Westminster. It has a price guide of £6,750,000 ($11,365,000).
New York, US
![Platinum condo, New York.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/b/v/i/j/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481774715561.png)
Platinum Condo, New York. Photo: Zillow.com
There is no shortage of amazing apartments in New York, but for proximity to Times Square try this two-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment on top of the 43-storey “award-winning Platinum condo” at 247 West 46th Street.
It has floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing views of the city, and is on the market for $US2,580,000 ($3.4 million)
Alternatively, if you’d like to swap proximity to the ball drop for a little extra luxury, this pre-war Trophy Penthouse on East 59th Street, which takes up two levels and has a rooftop terrace with amazing views, is available for $US14.7 million ($19.7 million). Or, you could try this fairly incredible condo penthouse on West 57th Street, also prewar, which among other features has a dining room that seats 30 people. It’s on the market for $US18.5 million ($24.9 million).
Although if you’re sold on the Brooklyn hipster lifestyle, this is apparently “simply the best waterfront penthouse” located on Furnam Street, overlooking the city skyline and the Statue of Liberty. It can be yours for $US23,888,000 ($32.1 million).
Berlin, Germany
![This penthouse has a hot tub and views of the city.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/b/x/1/q/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481776308928.png)
This penthouse has a hot tub and views of the city. Photo: Zabel.com
Berlin’s New Year’s Eve festivities take place between the Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column, and if you’re the kind of person who’s pre-party prep involves a hot tub then this might be the penthouse for you.
It has two fireplaces, an aquarium with exotic fish, a teppanyaki grill in the kitchen and much, much more, including views of the entire city. It’s in a handy location in Tiergarten, and is listed for sale at €5,490,000 ($7,776,300).
If you’d like something a bit cheaper, this top floor apartment near the Brandenburg Gate in a building designed by Frank Gehry is going for €1,520,000 ($2.15 million). No spa, sadly, but it has great views.
Fife, Scotland
![Earshall Castle, Fife.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/b/x/z/4/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481777312436.png)
Earshall Castle, Fife. Photo: Savills
Just to mix things up a bit – how about a castle? Not Edinburgh Castle – with its famous Hogmanay spectacular – but Earlshall Castle in Fife, a manageable 87 kilometres away.
Its 13-hectare parkland means you’re unlikely to disturb the neighbours with your New Year’s shindig and it’s got an extensive history to impress your guests with.
And, in the substantial grounds there are 36 yew trees “clipped into fanciful shapes planned in the form of four saltires”, which is bound to be a wonderful post-dinner conversation starter. It’s listed through Savills, with price on application.
The Peak, Hong Kong
![The rooftop terrace at the townhouse at Severn Road, The Peak.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/b/y/m/2/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481778000516.png)
The rooftop terrace at the townhouse at Severn Road, The Peak. Photo: Christie’s International/Landscope
Hong Kong has some seriously pricey real estate and this townhouse, listed at $HK220 million ($38.2 million) is a good example, despite the lack of showy promotional photos.
It’s located on The Peak – one of the most exclusive spots in the world – and provides an elevated view of Victoria Harbour and its famous fireworks display.
Marina Bay, Singapore
![Marina Bay Residences](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/b/z/s/8/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481779571518.png)
Marina Bay Residences. Photo: Christie’s International
With floor-to-ceiling windows – you might be spotting a trend here – and some very nice fittings, this $SG10,800,000 ($10.1 million) apartment has impressive views of Singapore’s Marina Bay skyline.
It’s the location of the world-famous Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, which attracts hundreds of thousands of keen onlookers each year.
Las Vegas, US
![The soundstage at 9028 Players Club Drive, Las Vegas.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/c/0/w/9/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481780910820.png)
The soundstage at 9028 Players Club Drive, Las Vegas. Photo: Zillow.com
Back in the USA and we’re looking at some party houses – they’re not necessarily a great place to watch the fireworks but they do have lots of room to entertain.
This Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Vegas pad belonged to Pamela Anderson and her twice-married, twice-divorced former husband and professional poker player Rick Solomon.
It’s got a professional soundstage, complete with lights – think of the karaoke potential – games room, theatre room, soda counter and pool. It’s for sale for $US4.8 million ($6.4 million).
Alternatively, you could fork out $US9.5 million ($12.8 million) for the “Thriller Villa“, named for its famous former occupant, Michael Jackson. It comes with a 74-seat medieval-style chapel, which can apparently double as a recording studio.
Dubai
![The penthouse at the La Reve.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/c/1/s/u/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481782147086.png)
The penthouse at Le Reve. Photo: Sotheby’s International.
You are really spoiled for choice when it comes to ostentatious apartments – here are two. The 45th full-floor penthouse in Le Reve overlooks the Dubai Marina, the Burj Al Arab and the Palm Jumeirah, and features a fit-out by French architect Jean Louis Mainguy. It’s listed through Sotheby’s International Realty.
And if you want to live in the tallest building in the world and star of the latest Fast and the Furious movie, there’s a whole floor of penthouses available for sale in the Burj Khalifa through Knight Frank for $23.8 million. Perfect for you and 11 of your closest, car racing friends.
![Lobster Island.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101174809im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/c/g/r/8/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1481846591139.png)
Lobster Island. Photo: Christie’s International
Eleuthera, the Bahamas
Finally – why not buy an island? If you’re looking in that price bracket then you can probably afford your own pyrotechnics display anyway. There are quite a few available – including Tasmania’s Ninth Island which has just come back onto the market. However, our top pick would be this one, Lobster Island in Eleuthera in the Bahamas.
Rather than gaze up at the sky, you can watch the sea life getting about from the Sea House, or hang out on the beach pavilion next to the saltwater pool. And honestly, with an outlook this nice, why not stay there for the rest of the year?