Shifting our focus from the broader U.S. investment landscape to specific urban luxury condos, Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston each offer a distinct flavor of high-end living in 2026. From iconic architectural landmarks to branded residences and bustling new developments, here is a curated selection of luxury condos currently available in these dynamic cities.
🏙️ Luxury Condos at a Glance
This table highlights a range of exceptional properties currently on the market, showcasing the diversity of options from full-floor penthouses to turnkey residences.
| Location | Property Identifier | Price (USD) | Key Feature | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL (River North) | One Chicago – 70th Floor | ~$8,300,000 | Full-floor residence in iconic tower; build-out by developer to be completed Summer 2026 | Active / Under Construction |
| Chicago, IL (Near North Side) | Water Tower Residence (Address Confidential) | $1,600,000 | Gut-renovated 3BR above Ritz-Carlton; 2,975 sq. ft. with 2,100-bottle wine cellar | Closed (Recent Sale) |
| Chicago, IL (Loop) | The Legacy – Unit 4906 | $725,000 | 2BR/2BA corner residence in architectural masterpiece by SCB; panoramic skyline views | Contingent |
| Chicago, IL (West Loop) | Embry Building Condo | $3,100,000 | 4BR/4.5BA with private elevator opening directly into unit; floor-to-ceiling windows | Active |
| San Francisco, CA (South SF) | 889 McLellan Drive #210 | $1,419,000 | Rare new construction (2026); 3BR/2BA near BART with owned solar panels and high-end fixtures | Active |
| San Francisco, CA (South Beach) | Millennium Tower – Unit 35C | $2,300,000 | 2BR/2.5BA with Bay Bridge views; signature floor plan with extensive craftsmanship | Active |
| San Francisco, CA (East Cut) | MIRA – Unit 2B | Price Contact Agent | Modern 1BR in iconic twisted tower by Studio Gang; rare private balcony, resort amenities | BMR Housing Opportunity* |
| Houston, TX (Memorial) | The St. Regis Residences – Last Penthouse | $14,500,000 | Record-breaking $3,100/sq. ft. penthouse in branded residences; ~4,500 sq. ft. with stunning views | Pre-Construction / Active |
| Houston, TX (Heights) | 0 W 17th Street #4J | $592,620 | Brand new 2BR/2BA luxury condo (2026); rooftop pool deck with stunning city views | Active |
| Houston, TX (Galveston) | Tiara on the Beach – Unit 308 | $3,108,400 | Beachfront luxury condo; 3BR/3.5BA new build with Gaggenau appliances, endless water views | Active |
*Note: The MIRA unit in San Francisco is a Below Market Rate (BMR) opportunity with specific income and eligibility requirements, offering a unique path to ownership in a luxury building .
🌃 Chicago: Architectural Icons and Penthouse Living
The Chicago luxury condo market in 2026 offers a mix of iconic addresses, record-setting penthouses, and turnkey residences in the city’s most desirable neighborhoods.
- One Chicago’s Penthouses: In River North, JDL Development is finishing the top-floor residences at the iconic One Chicago tower after realizing buyers prefer move-in ready homes . The 70th-floor unit is now available for ~$8.3 million and will be completed by summer 2026. This follows a recent contract on the 69th floor at nearly $8 million, demonstrating strong demand for these full-floor residences with unparalleled views .
- Ritz-Carlton Residences: On the Near North Side, a stunning gut-renovated residence at the Water Tower (above the Ritz-Carlton) recently sold for $1.6 million . This 2,975 sq. ft., 3-bedroom home features a thoughtful redesign, double wall soundproofing, and a remarkable 2,100-bottle walk-in wine cellar, offering resort-style living with all the hotel’s amenities .
- The Legacy in the Loop: For those seeking an architectural masterpiece, Unit 4906 in The Legacy at 60 E Monroe St is a premier “A” building designed by SCB . This 2-bedroom, 2-bath corner residence offers northeast and west panoramic views of the Chicago skyline from its 49th-floor perch. Priced at $725,000, it includes garage parking and can be sold fully furnished, turnkey .
- West Loop’s Embry Building: A 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath condo in the Embry building offers a unique feature: a private elevator that opens directly into the unit . Priced at $3.1 million, this home boasts floor-to-ceiling skyline views, Miele and Wolf appliances, and amenities including a fitness center with a putting green .
🌉 San Francisco: New Construction and Architectural Statements
San Francisco’s luxury condo market features rare new construction, iconic architectural buildings, and opportunities in prime transit-oriented locations.
- South San Francisco New Development: A rare opportunity awaits at 889 McLellan Drive #210 in South San Francisco . This brand new 3-bedroom, 2-bath condominium (built in 2026) is priced at $1,419,000 and located directly across from the BART station and next to Trader Joe’s. It features high ceilings, triple-pane windows for noise reduction, owned solar panels, and top-of-the-line Samsung appliances and Hansgrohe fixtures .
- Millennium Tower Signature Residence: In the South Beach neighborhood, Unit 35C at the iconic Millennium Tower offers luxury living with Bay Bridge views for $2,300,000 . This 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath home features a signature floor plan with extensive craftsmanship, Studio Becker cabinetry, a sophisticated library/media room, and access to the tower’s 5-star services and private residential Club Level .
- MIRA’s Affordable Luxury Opportunity: The iconic twisted tower MIRA, designed by Studio Gang, offers a rare 1-bedroom unit with a private balcony . While this is a Below Market Rate (BMR) opportunity with specific income requirements (up to 120% Area Median Income), it provides a unique path to ownership in one of San Francisco’s most architecturally significant buildings, with resort-style amenities including a fitness center, BBQ terrace, and 24/7 lobby attendant .
🤠 Houston: Branded Residences and Record-Breaking Penthouses
Houston’s luxury market is reaching new heights with branded residences, record-setting penthouses, and vibrant neighborhood condos.
- St. Regis Residences’ Record Penthouse: The last remaining penthouse at The St. Regis Residences, Houston, is set to break records with its $14.5 million asking price—an astonishing $3,100 per square foot, the highest ever recorded for a condo in Houston history . This approximately 4,500 sq. ft. unit is one of only seven penthouses in the 38-story tower (groundbreaking Q1 2026, completion expected 2029). Two penthouses have already sold for $17,995,000 and $14,995,000, underscoring the strength of Houston’s luxury branded residence market .
- The Heights Mid-Rise Living: For a more accessible entry point, a brand new luxury condo at 0 W 17th Street #4J in the trendy Heights neighborhood is available for $592,620 . This 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit (built in 2026) offers an open-concept layout, a spa-like primary bath, and building amenities including controlled access, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck with stunning city views .
- Galveston Beachfront Paradise: For those seeking coastal luxury, Unit 308 at Tiara on the Beach in Galveston offers beachfront living at $3,108,400 . This 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath new build (estimated completion 2027) features the Isabella Penterra floor plan with 11-foot ceilings, a fireplace, all Gaggenau appliances, Italian cabinetry, and endless water views from its prime location on 300 feet of beachfront .
💡 Key Takeaways for Luxury Condo Buyers in 2026
- Chicago offers a diverse range from record-setting full-floor penthouses in River North to turnkey residences in architectural landmarks like The Legacy and residences above the Ritz-Carlton .
- San Francisco presents opportunities in rare new construction near transit, iconic architectural buildings like Millennium Tower, and even below-market-rate opportunities in designer high-rises like MIRA .
- Houston is defined by branded residence luxury at The St. Regis (setting new price-per-square-foot records), vibrant neighborhood living in the Heights, and beachfront condos in Galveston .
Does one of these cities or a particular property style appeal to you? I can provide more detailed information on specific buildings, neighborhoods, or the purchasing process in any of these dynamic markets.