“A house is more a home by being a work of art”, a quote by Frank L. Wright, establishes the perspective of how art is reflected in the style and class of the user, in addition to architecture can make a house feel like home.
Here is a list of the World’s 30 most expensive houses that define lavishness and luxury.
1. The Buckingham Palace, London, United Kingdom
Price: $1.55 Billion
The most expensive place in the U.K, the palatial residence of the Royal Family is in fact, owned by a joint trust. Constructed in the 19th century, by architects John Nash and Edward Blore, ‘Crown property’ houses 775 rooms, 188 staff rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms, and 19 state-rooms. The Royal Ballroom sits grandly amidst the Palace’s Gardens outside.
2. The Antilia, Mumbai, India
Price: $I Billion
The residence of the richest man of India- Mr. Mukesh Ambani, has been designed by Chicago-based architects Perkins and Will. Constructed in 7 years, this 4,00,000 square feet structure is about 570ft. in height, having 27 floors in all. It comprises six levels of underground parking, 3 helipads, a health spa, a salon, a ballroom, multiple swimming pools, yoga and dance studios- all accessed by nine high-speed elevators.
3. Villa Leopolda, Cote D’azure, France
Price: $750 Million
The palatial villa is designed by Architect Jr. Ogden Codman in the 1890’s ‘Belle Époque’ style. With it’s cascading terraces, this 50-acre estate includes a massive greenhouse, swimming pool, and a helipad. The main Villa houses 11 bedrooms and 14 baths. This mansion is owned by billionaire banker Edmond Safra.
4. 24 Middle Gap Road, Hong Kong, China
Price: $447 Million
This unassuming, colonial-style four-bedroom home built in 1991 is listed as a pricey residence because of its occupancy at the costliest piece of real estate at the Middle Gap Road. The simple and basic architecture of the building does not account for its precious tag, but its location does!
5. Villa Les Cèdres, French Riviera
Price: $410 Million
Set on 35 acres of manicured gardens, the 18,000-square-foot home comes with 14 bedrooms, a swimming pool, a man-made pond, a ballroom, a stable for 30 horses, grand sitting rooms, 19th-century portraits in ornate frames, and stunning woodwork throughout. Reflecting the rich style of France, this property was once built and owned by the King of Belgium.
6. Odeon Tower Penthouse, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Price:$400 Million
The 5-storeyed penthouse dominates as the second-tallest building on the Mediterranean skyline. Designed by architect Alexandre Giraldi, the luxurious interior space is accessed by a private elevator and features 360-degree views with access to a circular rooftop infinity pool having a water slide.
7. Le Palais Bulles, Theoule-Sur-Mer, France
Price: $390 Million
Designed in 1975 by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag, this property features a series of round rooms that spill down a rocky cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Proudly known as the ‘Bubble Palace’, it is currently owned by French designer Pierre Cardin. The seaside estate boasts of swimming pools, several gardens, and a 500-seat amphitheater.
8. Gateways Canyons, Gateway, Colorado
Price: $279 Million
This modern property is the house of Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks. The main house is equipped with 72-rooms complete with a resort and spa. The main attraction is the Car Museum, the grass airstrip, airplane hangar, and two helipads.
9. Mesa Vista Ranch, Pampa, Texas
Price: $250 Million
Owned by the T. Boone Pickens, this property covers over 65,000 acres. A private airport, home theatre, golf course, tennis course, and a two-story stone kennel are the highlighting attractions here.
10. Four-Fairfield Pond, Sagaponack, New York
Price: $248.5 Million
Residence of Ira Renner (owner the Renco Group) is a 63-acre oceanfront compound home in the Hamptons that comes with 29 bedrooms, and its very own power plant! The unique addition, this Power plant caters to all the electricity needs of the property.
11. Casa Encantada, Bel Air, California
Price: $225 Million
Dating back to the 1930s, the estate is home to financier Gary Winnick. This Georgian masterpiece, has 60 rooms, sprawling over eight and a half acres, and once became the most expensive piece of real estate on sale in the US.
12. Ellison Estate, Woodside, California
Price:$200 Million
This 23-acre property belongs to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and has a man-man lake, gymnasium, koi pond, tea house, and bathhouse. The Japanese-style estate took 9 years to build and was designed by Architect Paul Driscoll.
13. Palazzo Di Amore, Beverly Hills, California
Price: $195 Million
Jeff Greene, a real estate entrepreneur, and American politician owns this Mediterranean-style villa offering spectacular views of Los Angeles and the surrounding canyons. A vineyard, waterfall, a Turkish spa, revolving dance floors, and parking for 150 cars are among the sublime features.
14. Villa Firenze, Beverly Park, California
Price: $165 Million
Home to American billionaire Steven Udvar-Hazy, the Villa is styled like an Italian Palazzo. The grand living space is complemented by a guest house, pool houses, tennis court, and a 30-car motor court.
15. Spelling Manor, Holmby Hills, California
Price: $160 Million
Designed by Architect James Langenheim and owned by producer Aaron Spelling, the over the top 56,000 square-foot home boasts 14 bedrooms, 27 bathrooms, a gym, a wine cellar and tasting room, a beauty salon and massage and tanning rooms among its amenities.
16. Seven The Pinnacle, Montana
Price: $155 Million
Owned by Edra and Timber Baron, the house comes with heated floors, multiple pools, a gym, a wine cellar, and its ski lift. The magnificent 10-bedroom property has the distinction of being the largest house in the Yellowstone Club.
17. 924 Bel Air Road, Bel Air, California
Price: $150 Million
Developed by Bruce Makowsky, this mansion estate boasts outrageous amenities like a helipad, an infinity pool, a candy wall, wine cellars, bowling alley, in addition to the more traditional two master bedrooms, 10 guest suites, 21 bathrooms, 3 kitchens, 5 bars, and even a massage room.
18. 90 Jule Pond Drive, Southampton, New York
Price: $145 Million
The spectacular 42-acre oceanfront compound features a cavernous main residence, having a 48-foot-long living room and 12 bedrooms. The grounds have a tennis court, pool and pool house, and two golf greens. It is currently owned by Brenda Earl.
19. 18-19 Kensington Palace, London
Price: $128 Million
Owned by the Indian Businessman Lakshmi Mittal, the house was designed by Sir Charles Barry in 1845. With a total of 12 bedrooms, Turkish baths, an indoor pool, this mansion is a pricey tribute to Indian origins owing to the lavish use of Makrana Marble in the interiors.
20. The Xanadu 2.0, Medina, Washington
Price: $125.5 Million
The prime residence of Bill Gates was designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and Cutler Anderson Architects. This ‘smart complex’ is modern, yet rustic. Xanadu 2.0 is an ‘earth-sheltered’ house, built into its surroundings to regulate temperature more efficiently. Not surprisingly, the home is packed with high-tech amenities, including a sensor system that helps regulate temperature and lighting, an underwater music system in the pool.
21. Palazzate, St. Peter, Barbados
Price: $125 Million
Developed by Bjorn Bjerhamn, the mansion took more than four years to build. Among its key features are a fitness center with a steam room, an aquarium, and even underground parking for 18 cars.
22. Villa L’echauguette, Monaco
Price: $125 Million
Built-in the 1860s, Villa l’Echauguette is perched on a cliff. The interior space has over six floors along with a private terrace, a wine cellar, a lap pool, a sauna, and a guest apartment.
23. El Rancho Tajiguas, Santa Barbara, California
Price: $110 Million
This California ranch has two main homes, around other buildings for the staff and a farm planted with avocado, orange and persimmon trees. The enormous property offers breathtaking views of the Pacific across to the Channel Islands.
24. The Fleur De Lys Mansion, Los Angeles
Price: $102 Million
The 12-bedroom, 15-bathroom home was built in 2002. The property has a wine cellar with a tasting room, two-story library, commercial kitchen, cutlery room, spacious ballroom, pool, spa, and tennis courts.
25. The Playboy Mansion, Holmby Hills, California
Price: $100 Million
This 1927 Tudor Revival estate, once the residence of the late Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner. The house features six bedrooms with full baths, a tennis court and swimming pool, a four-bedroom guest house, and, of course, the legendary grotto.
26. Le Penthouse, Madison Avenue, New York
Price: $98 Million
Designed by Karl Fischer, this five-floor apartment in the heart of Manhattan comes with a rooftop infinity pool. It squeezes-in 11 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms.
27. Pumpkin Key, Key Largo, Florida
Price: $95 Million
A private 26-acre island in the blue waters of Card Sound Bay has amenities like an airstrip, a spa, grocery store, eight restaurants and its own medical center
28. Blue Island, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
Price: $95 Million
Amidst the sugar-white sandy beaches is the Bahamian Tropical paradise contacting a seven-bedroom hilltop estate, along with a helipad, boat ramp, and dock along with over miles of untouched beaches.
29. 12 East 69th Street, New York
Price: $88 Million
This Upper East Side Mansion is the home of the owner of Florida Panthers. Jaw-dropping features include a saline swimming pool, a double-height library, a formal dining room, and a heated sidewalk.
30. The Pinnacle, Woolworth Tower, New York
Price: $79 Million
Housed in the neo-Gothic skyscraper, above bustling Broadway, this vast penthouse takes up the top five floors of the landmark building and features a 408-square-foot, open-air observatory with 360-degree views of the city.
Source: re-thinkingthefuture
