The world’s most expensive home in 2010 is unquestionable. It is the first $1 billion home the world has seen. A custom-build 27 story towering mansion,
Antilla in Mumbai is the home of the world’s fifth richest man, namely
Mukesh Ambani, head of Indian petro-chemical giant Reliance Industries, which is India’s most valuable firm by market capitalization.
With double height ceilings, ballrooms, crystal chandelier ceilings,
retractable stages, and 600 servants, there is no other home on earth
that compares to the 570 feet tall Antilla.
Update: World’s Most Expensive House – Antilia (Mumbai) Lays Empty!
2. Villa Leopolda, Cote d’Azur France – $525 million.
Villa Leopolda
is an 80,000 square foot Chateuau built in 1902 by King Leopold II of
Belgium. The villa has been rumoured to be the home of Bill Gates and
many more global figures, but has actually been home to French banker
Edmond Safira, whose wife Lily still lives there. The 19 bedroom villa,
which boasts sports courts, a bowling alley, multiple kitchens, dining
rooms and a movie theatre, received even more press lately when a
Russian mogul lost his deposit on the property when he reneged on
completing the sale.
3. One Hyde Park – The Penthouse, London – $200 million
This massively stylish modern penthouse may not be so expensive did it not sit atop the famous
number 1 Hyde Park address.
As it is in such a premium location it has been built as a home for the
rich and famous complete with SAS guard, bullet proof windows, iris
scanners, panic rooms and a secret tunnel to the nearby Mandarin Hotel.
The building has communal spas, squash courts and wine tasting rooms,
and the penthouse is served by 24 hour room service.
4. Fairfield Pond, The Hamptons – $170 million
This 63 acre home is considered the largest residential compound in
America. The 29 bedroom beachfront home of publicity shy billionaire Ira
Rennert has 5 sports courts, a bowling alley and a $150,000 hot tub.
5. Hearst Mansion, Beverly Hills – $165 million
This mansion — the former home of publishing giant William Randolph
Hearst, the inspiration for the main character in “Citizen Kane” –,
features 29 bedrooms and three pools. The estate became a pop-culture
icon after being used in The Godfather movie, when the infamous severed
horse’s head turned up in the owner’s bed. The fact that assassinated
President John F Kennedy stayed in the mansion during his honeymoon also
added to its status. The house has some notable neighbours, including
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes and David and Victoria Beckham
6. Franchuk Villa, Kensington – $161million
Anyone else spotting a trend here (the most expensive homes being
mainly in the UK and US, this making it 2 all). This Victorian Villa was
a girl’s prep school until 1997, when it was bought and upgraded in
2006. After receiving a £10 million overhaul and refurb it was purchased
by Ukrainian AIDS philanthropist, Elena Franchuk, and renamed the
Franchuk Villa.
7. “The Pinnacle”, Montana – $155million
This is the home of Time and Edra Blixseth, owners of the
billionaires-only golf and ski resort “Yellowstone Club” in Montana. It
will be the largest and grandest property on the resort, but is still
small in comparison to some of those on this list, with only 10
bedrooms. To catch up the property has impressive features such as every
inch of floor being heated, a heated driveway and fireplaces in all
bathrooms. (3-2 to America).
8. “The Manor”, Los Angeles – $150 million
The home of Aaron Spelling, dubbed “The Manor” by wife Cindy, has 123
rooms for his family to choose from, an indoor skating rink, multiple
pools, three kitchens, sports courts, private orchard, and a bowling
alley. The home, which he had built from scratch in 1991 also has a room
used exclusively for wrapping presents and an entire floor dedicated to
closet space.
9. Updown Court, Windlesham, Surrey – $139million
The description of this home is
above,
as it was the 3rd most expensive home in 2008. What is interesting
however, is that in 2008 it was valued at $110million, meaning its value
has grown substantially even during such difficult financial times.
10. Dracula’s Castle, Romania – $135million
This home needs no introduction. Built in the 14th century, the
castle is now a national monument and museum thanks to the legend
surrounding it, which also needs no introduction. It has
57
rooms in total, including 17 bedrooms filled with antiques and
historical artefacts. It wouldn’t do for the publicly shy Ira Rennert
mentioned above, but for the quirkier billionaire, the 450 million
tourists that visit every year may be worth it for living in Dracula’s
castle.
