In the gloom that is the current property market, with remortgage deals all but dried up, and lenders not lending. Here’s a hit parade of the world’s most lavish properties to re-instill our faith in the property market, or perhaps just to make us all jealous!
1 ‘Antilla’ Southern Mumbai: Costing over $1bn to build, Antilla stands tall at 570ft and has become one of the most well known landmarks in Mumbai. The landmark has a total of 27 floors and is home to Mukesh Ambani, his family and staff. As the 4th richest man, it is no surprise that Ambani could afford to include numerous elevated gardens, ballrooms, 3 helicopter pads and double height ceilings in every room. Ambani has arguably made his millions as head of the Reliance Industries conglomerate – I think it’s fair to say he is one wealthy and important man! Quirky Fact: Along with the Ambani family, the staff also lives in the towering mansion. Now, a maid or two would be reasonable to house in a building of this size wouldn’t it? Well how about 600? Yep, that’s right, 600 staff live in the property to help keep and maintain it.
2: ‘Villa Leopolda’ Cote d’Azur, France
This French Rivera Villa was built by Belgium’s King Leopold II in 1902; today its 80,000 square ft is worth $525 million and called home by the widow of French banker Edmond Safira, Lily. The Chateau boasts nineteen bedrooms, several kitchens with equal number of dining rooms and its own fully equipped cinema screen room. Interesting Fact: You’ve probably seen quite a bit of Villa Leopolda already, Alfred Hitchcock filmed most of his film To Catch a Thief there in 1955.
3: One Hyde Park: The Penthouse, Hyde Park: London
The Penthouse suite of this huge London complex is worth an estimated $200 million and represents all that is modern in security and comfort. For this reason it is a huge hit with celebrities. Iris scanners, SAS guard, numerous panic rooms and various secret tunnels make this property one of the safest in the UK. In terms of comfort, the penthouse boasts communal spas, 24 hour room service and even a room dedicated to wine tasting – it provides all the necessities for a luxurious stay. Interesting Fact: The penthouse is ranked as the 3rd safest properties in the UK, after Buckingham Palace and Downing Street. An additional safety feature includes every window being entirely bullet proof.
4: ‘Fairfield Pond’ – The Hamptons
Home to camera shy billionaire and American Investor Ira Rennert, Fairfield Pond is nothing less than a landmark in the Hamptons. Spreading over a massive sixty-three acres, Fairfield is ranked the largest residential building in the entire North of America. Despite its location, the aesthetics of the property are somewhat Mediterranean with a total of twelve chimneys; adding to its unique nature. Along with multiple indoor and outdoor sports courts, Fairfield Pond also has an interior bowling alley, twenty-nine bedrooms and get this, a sum of thirty-nine bathrooms! It is no wonder this property is priced at a colossal $170m. Interesting Fact: Ira Rennert is perhaps most famously known within the media world, for his purchase of a $15k hot tub for the property. Quite extravagant wouldn’t you say?
5: ‘Hearst Mansion’ Beverly Hills, California
Hearst Mansion is a true celebrity within the LA property world, and that’s saying something when Beverly Hills is one of the most exclusive areas in the world. Not only was the mansion used as setting for the famous ‘horses-head-in-the-bed’ scene in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather in 1972, but it was also used as the main set location for The Bodyguard (starring Whitney Houston). The house blends into its Beverly Hills surroundings perfectly, spreading over 6 acres, it certainly enforces it’s dominance within this regions highly competitive property market. Hearst has a total of twenty-nine bedrooms and a total of 3 indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Fascinating Fact: Hearst’s celebrity status doesn’t quite stop at its feature in some of world’s top films, oh no! The mansion was even good enough for President John F Kennedy to spend part of his honeymoon there with wife Jacqueline.
6: ‘Franchuk Villa’ Kensington, London
Before it was converted to a residential property, it was actually a preparatory school for girls’ right up to 1997. After years of work, this five floor residence is now worth $161 million. AIDS Philanthropist Elena Franchuk is the current owner, also giving the property its current name after another renovation in 2008, this one costing £10 million (taking the bedroom number up to 10 and adding a panic room). Interesting Fact: The 2008 renovation expanded the basement significantly, adding a cinema, sauna, gym and swimming pool.
7: ‘The Pinnacle’ – Montana
The Pinnacle is owned by joint owners of the Yellowstone golf and ski resort, Tim and Edra Blixseth; two very well connected billionaires. The property has a total of 10 bedrooms and numerous bathrooms, each of which has its very own fireplace. As a result, the property is valued at around $155 million. Oh, and I forgot to mention that every square inch of flooring is heated within the property. Fascinating Fact: As if numerous fireplaces and heated floors weren’t enough, even the driveway is heated (that’s one huge heating bill!)
8: The Manor, Los Angeles
Simply nicknamed ‘The Manor’ by owner Cindy Spelling (widow of producer Aaron Spelling), it is the largest residence in Los Angeles at 56,500 sq ft and is actually on the market at the moment for $150 million. Designed and built for the Spelling family in the 1980’s, the house has 123 rooms which include 3 kitchens, several swimming pools, private orchard and even an indoor ice skating rink. If you ever get invited round for a party don’t worry about finding a parking spot, there’s room for 100 vehicles on the drive. Quirky Fact: Just when you think this house couldn’t get more absurd, one floor is completely dedicated as a wardrobe for Cindy Spelling, there’s a ‘wrapping presents room’ and a humidity controlled silver storage room. The 17,000 sq ft attic is fitted with a barber shop and beauty salon, and yet still the house is on the market.
9: ‘Updown Court’ Windlesham, Surrey
The third UK property featured on the list of the top 10 world’s most expensive properties is Updown Court, the largest private residence to be built in the UK since the 19th Century. The estate is worth around $139 million and has a total of 103 rooms, 24 of which are bedrooms. Other features of the property include a heated marble driveway, a helipad, 58 acres of gardens and woodland and numerous indoor spas and Jacuzzis including 5 swimming pools. As if this wasn’t enough, the property has an underground garage with floors made of granite that can hold up to 8 limos at any one time. Interesting Fact: The occupied land of Updown Court has a larger area than that of Buckingham Palace!
10: ‘Dracula’s Castle’ Romania
Now, the controversy surrounding this property is still at the forefront of 21st century culture; was it the true inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s famous novel, Dracula? Was it home to the iconic literary figure? Whether or not we ever find the true answers to such like questions, the property’s estimated worth of $135 million still makes it a worthy contender for the top 10 most expensive properties in the world. The property itself is no longer listed as a residential building since its owner Archduke Dominic Habsburg turned it into a museum in 2009; the building now showcases various artefacts in memory of Queen Marie and her family. The Castle has a total of 57 rooms, 17 of which were bedrooms before it was renovated into a museum. Quirky Fact: Standing tall on a total of 200 feet of rock, Dracula’s castle attracts over 450,000 tourists every year.
So you’re in the market for a 2nd home and one of these takes your fancy, better make sure you get the best remortgage rates with prices like these!