British Billionaire James Dyson buys Singapore's most-expensive penthouse at $54.2 mn

By Katrina Nicholas

Vacuum cleaners and super-quiet hairdryers have made a lot of money for Dyson Ltd. chairman and founder James Dyson.

So much so that he and his wife have splashed out S$73.8 million ($54.2 million) for the highest penthouse in Singapore, according to a local media report in the Business Times.


It’s also the highest price paid for a penthouse in a city not unfamiliar with mind-boggling home costs. Last month, another top-floor apartment at Boulevard Vue, an ultra-luxury condo located just off Singapore’s prime Orchard Road shopping district, went for S$52 million. Dyson’s purchase also topped the nearly S$60 million paid by Facebook Inc. co-founder Eduardo Saverin for a penthouse in 2017.

Occupying the top floors of Singapore’s tallest building, the Wallich Residence super penthouse overlooks the central business district and the city’s historical shop houses. Spread out from levels 62 to 64, the dwelling was recently listed for sale at S$108 million. It comes with its own infinity pool, jacuzzi, BBQ pit and private lift lobby from the basement car park.

Billionaire inventor Dyson decided to relocate his company’s head office from the U.K. to Singapore, it was reported in January. Jim Rowan, Dyson’s chief executive officer, said at the time the move wasn’t due to tax or fears of Brexit, but to the shift in the importance of the Asian region to the company.

Dyson and his wife are reportedly Singapore permanent residents, meaning they avoid the increased levies for foreigners wanting to buy property in the nation.