A man’s home is his castle, and he is
entitled to do anything and spend any amount he deems fit to make his
home as comfortable and as luxurious as possible. A lover of cars would
probably erect a huge garage, while an athletic person would build
different sports facilities.
Here is a list of the ten most
expensive houses in the world. Some of its amenities may seem outright
ridiculous, but as they say, to each his own.
1. Antilia, Mumbai, India – $1 billion
Yes,
you read that right. The most expensive home in the world is worth a
billion dollars. I am not sure how many hungry children that a billion
dollars can help feed, but for Mukesh Ambani, no amount is too much to
attain a perfect home. The house has 27 storeys…that is not a typo as
the house indeed has 27 storeys! Some hotels do not even go up that
high!
You may ask what exactly are in these 27 storeys. With a
total of 40,000 square feet, the house, as you may expect, has almost
everything. If anyone in the family needs to exercise, there is a floor
for athletic activities there. For the family’s spiritual needs, a
temple dedicated to Krishna is available. Do you want to exercise your
mind and soul? Ambani had a yoga studio built into the house. Late night
relaxation and after-work unwinding can be done in the house bar. And
just in case you need to research for anything, the house also has its
own library. And you will never get bored either, as each floor has its
own unique design and materials.
Ambani also has a passion for
cars. He already has nearly 170 cars in his collection, all stored in
six of the house’s floors that are all designated as parking lots.
With
all these stuff going on, how exactly does it get maintained? Well, a
staff of 600 personnel has been hired to do all the work and make sure
that the house is spanking clean.
2. Villa Leopolda, Cote d’Azur, France – $506 million
Standing
on 20 acres of prime real estate on the French Riviera, this villa has
two houses covering 80,000 square feet. The house’s ownership has been
the subject of speculations, with some saying that Microsoft founder
Bill Gates has bought the place, and others claiming that a Russian
billionaire tycoon is the one that calls this as his home (or one of his
homes). What is definite is that it was originally built for Belgian
King Leopold, and this house is indeed fit for royalty. It has 11
bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, as well as a garden dotted with cypress,
lemon and olive trees. It also has a private beach front of the most
beautiful beach of southern France.
3. The Penthouse, London, England – $200 million
This
is actually a flat. But it is not just any flat, but The Penthouse that
offer amazing views of Central London. Conveniently located in Hyde
Park, The Penthouse also has its own car park and room to taste wines.
Need to pump up your heart rate? This place has access to several squash
courts. Need to relax? There are a number of spas nearby. Are you
paranoid about your security? The Penthouse has bulletproof windows and a
panic room. It also has an iris-check device designed to scan anyone
who wants to enter your place. Butler and chambermaid services are also
available 24 hours a day.
4. Fairfield Pond, The Hamptons, New York – $170 million
This
house is the largest residential compound in the entire United States.
Covering 63 acres, it is owned by businessman Ira Rennert. It has 29
bedrooms and 39 bathrooms, one of which is outfitted with a $150,000
tub. It also has its own bowling inn and five tennis courts.
5. Hearst Mansion, Beverly Hills, California – $165 million
Beverly
Hills is the enclave of the rich, and the Heart Mansion is the richest
of them all. Built by American publisher William Hearst, it is now owned
by lawyer Leonard Ross. And he is enjoying the house’s 29 bedrooms, 8
fireplaces, 3 swimming pools, tennis courts and a nightclub; all spread
over six separate residences.
6. Franchuk Villa, Kensington, England – $161 million
The
Victorian-era-style house has 21,000 square feet of space and features a
building with six floors and 20-foot ceilings. Located in central
London, it has several private cinemas, a basement swimming pool and a
modern gym.
7. The Pinnacle, Montana – $155 million
Located
in the exclusive ski and golf enclave called Yellowstone Club, this
house is the largest in the area. Owned by real estate developer Tim
Blixseth and his wife Edra, the house is designed to counter the bitter
cold through a heated flooring system that covers the entire indoor
area. There is also a fireplace in every bathroom. The house also
features a wine cellar, a gym, a massage room and an indoor and outdoor
swimming pool.
8. The Manor, Los Angeles – $150 million
Imagine
a place with 123 rooms, a cinema, bowling alley, tennis courts,
swimming pools, a beauty salon and a spa. It may sound like a hotel in a
mall, but this is actually the largest privately owned house in Los
Angeles. This French Chateau mansion sits on 4.6 hectares of land and
has a parking lot for up to a hundred cars. After all, somebody has to
occupy all those rooms.
9. Updown Court,Surrey, England – $139 million
Located
in the Windlesham neighborhood, the house has more than a hundred
bedrooms. All the rich man’s facilities are here, from the private
cinemas to the tennis courts. Add to those a horse barn and a marbled
garage that can accommodate eight limousines.
10. Dracula’s Castle, Romania – $135 million
This
used to serve as a museum back in the 80s, but it is actually a house
with 17 bedrooms. The whole place is also furnished with antique items.
Plus, you may get a visit at night from Count Dracula, who supposedly
used to live in this castle.
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