The recent boom in high-rise buildings in Pakistan
Pakistan is witnessing a massive increase in the construction activities to overcome its housing shortage issues. However, this brings about another challenge. The problem lies within the traditional construction techniques, which is going about on a horizontal scale. If this trend continues to move as it is, the infrastructural development required to keep up with its speed calls for the provision of all basic essentials — which the government has yet to meet and will not be able to do in time. So, a new issue will arise: well-constructed housing units without uninterrupted supply of water, gas, and electricity.
The solution to this problem is also very easy and already prevailing in the construction industry of the country: going vertical. In a country like Pakistan, the ratio of population growth to the level of urbanisation is unmatched. The infrastructure required to maintain uninterrupted supply of water, gas, and electricity, so as to enable the citizens a chance to live in a comfortable living situation is the government’s duty. However, it is not possible with horizontal development as the infrastructural requirements are huge, but if you start with vertical constructions, the issue subsides as the number of people benefiting from the uninterrupted supply of basic necessities increases several times.
What is a Penthouse?
Vertical constructions are fast becoming popular in Pakistan, as it provides a very feasible solution to the issues mentioned above. Going vertical with your constructions enables you to bring a community living within a building, wrapped in a quality lifestyle. Moreover, on the top floor of that building lies a construction that is usually of two-floors — called a penthouse. There are not many types of penthouses, some consist of single-stories, while some have two floors.
These penthouses are highly expensive though — because you’re paying for a very prime piece of real estate. The word penthouse is mostly synonymous with luxury and prestige. Moreover, as you reside on the building’s top floor, you will be away from the city’s hustle and bustle, enabling you to live a complete and comfortable lifestyle. Penthouses reflect the ultimate luxury living experience, which focuses on even the smallest things that one would not even look twice at. Penthouses are considered as the best (and poshest) place to have as your abode.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in penthouses?
Advantages of living in penthouses:
- Relaxing views
- Ultimate peaceful living environment
- Uninterrupted privacy
- Central locality
- Safety & Security
- Acts as a type of ‘Status Symbol’
- Recession-proof investment
Disadvantages of living in a penthouse:
- Direct effects of weather
- Not easily accessible
- Possibilities of annoying rooftop amenities
- Expensive lifestyle
- Management & upkeep issues
- Safety hazards
People mostly enjoy a living abode that offers abundance of natural light and good air ventilation to highlight a healthy lifestyle — as compared to the issues one faces with lack of light, causing dampness in the living experience. Buying or renting a penthouse enables you to take full advantage of the fact that these types of residential constructions come with a dedicated outdoor space — whose access is only limited to the owner! The emergence of several penthouses in Pakistan is due to the aforementioned reasons, however, this has also helped form this new reality that contains several types of penthouses for sale and for rent in and around major cities of the country.
The amount of peaceful living experience offered by penthouses are unparalleled. As this type of construction is located at a prime location — the top of the building, this plays as an additional benefit by offering mesmerising and unobstructed views. Located on the top floor of these vertical developments, living in a penthouse enables you to keep your sanity in check, owing to the unadulterated views that eventually soothe your intangible expressions. Moreover, another benefit arises that these views are not infringed upon by your neighbours.
Another salient feature that reflects the advantages of living in penthouses is the central location of the emerging high-rise buildings across the country. Such vertical constructions are usually developed within or near the busy city centres — enabling its occupants a chance to experience an ease in commuting. Needless to say, finding an abode near a central location makes it very convenient to move around the city.
However, this central locality can also act as one of the main disadvantages of living in a penthouse. Usually situated near urban centres, penthouse residents often find themselves stuck in a pickle with traffic-jams, which becomes very annoying when you have somewhere to be. This eventually adds into your travelling duration calculations, which are at times increased by two to threefold. Nevertheless, among the pros and cons of penthouses, the residents mostly enjoy a combination of services that your neighbours do not get.
Generally speaking, penthouses are much more secure as their top-floor location immensely eradicate the possibilities of breaking-and-entering and whatnot. Having only a one-way-in and one-way-out, even with limited security measures (which is not often the case), a resident can easily feel safe and secure — a vibe of untouchable. Just as we witness an increase in the number of vertical developments in the country, the security profile of penthouses are still ranked as top-tier. With standardised CCTV camera surveillance, security checkpoints at entrances and exits, the amount of peace it offers goes unparallelled.
