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 building 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! Fascinating Fact: Along with the Ambani family, the staff also lives in the towering property. 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
Villa Leopolda is worth an estimated $525 million and is located on the French Rivera. The property was owned by Edmond Safira, a French banker, although he recently passed away and so it is now home to his wife Lily. The estate measures at 80,000 square foot and has 19 bedrooms, a cinema room and numerous kitchens and dining rooms. The building itself has been around since 1902 when it was built by King Leopold II of Belgium, hence the name. Interesting Fact: This mansion was in fact used as the setting for most of the scenes in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 film To Catch a Thief starring Grace Kelly.
3: ‘One Hyde Park: The Penthouse’ – London
This penthouse suite is deserving of its very own celebrity status, despite being just a small part of a huge retail and residential complex. Talking of celebrity status, this particular property is a magnet for the high profile individuals of our society, such as wealthy bankers and celebrities. The safety features of The Penthouse are undoubtedly its main pulling factor with 24 hour SAS guard, optical scanners on entry, multiple panic rooms, bullet proof windows and even secret passageways which provide the perfect quick getaway to nearby destinations including the exclusive Mandarin Oriental Hotel (perhaps one of the most fashionable addresses in the capital). People need to be willing to fork out for their safety when it comes to staying here though – The suite alone is worth around $200million. Fascinating Fact: It’s unsurprising that the One Hyde Park Penthouse Suite is considered the third safest property in the whole of Britain, just trailing behind the properties on Downing Street and Buckingham Palace.
4: ‘Fairfield Pond’ the Hamptons
Fairfield Pond is considered the biggest residential complex in the whole of Northern America. Named after the Pond it overlooks, the 63 acre compound has an estimated worth of $170 million. The property has a total of 29 bedrooms, 39 bathrooms and is home to American Investor and business billionaire Ira Rennert. In addition to all the essentials, the property also houses 5 different sports courts and a bowling alley. In terms of its architecture the property is considered unique for its Mediterranean style roof and a total of 12 chimneys. Interesting Fact: Fairfield Pond also houses a huge $150k hot tub for the resident’s pleasure.
5: Hearst Mansion: Beverly Hills
This is perhaps one of the most well known properties on the list, not just for its location in Beverly Hills, but for its role in popular culture. The property was a set in both The Bodyguard, in 1992, and The Godfather, where a bedroom was used for the renowned horses head scene. Hearst mansion is worth around $165 million has 29 bedrooms, 3 swimming pools and was even good enough for John F Kennedy’s honeymoon! Quirky Fact: The mansion itself is now divided into 6 separated residences which spread over the 6.5 acres.
6: ‘Franchuk Villa’ Kensington
This 5 story house located in Upper Philimore Gardens actually served as a girl’s preparatory school until 1997. Following this is was bought and renovated into a huge residential property worth now around $161 million. It is owned by Elena Franchuk, a Ukrainian AIDs Philanthropist and was renamed The Franchuk Villa after she purchased it. Following a £10 million renovation in 2008, the property now has 10 bedrooms and a secure panic room. Fascinating Fact: Following further renovations on the building, Franchuk Villa now also has an underground swimming pool, gym, sauna and cinema
7: The Pinnacle, Montana
It might ‘only’ have 10 bedrooms, but it’s valued at $155 million. It is also a joint ownership between Tim and Edra Blixseth, also owners of the billionaires only Yellowstone Club. Doubling up as a golf and ski resort, they’re big on keeping it warm in the cold Rockies, every bathroom has its own fireplace and if that wasn’t enough every single tile in the place is heated also. No worries about global warming here it seems. Fascinating Fact: We weren’t joking about every square inch being heated; even the driveway is heated from underground pipes!
8: ‘The Manor’, LA
This is the largest residential property in the whole of Los Angeles, with a total square footage of 56,500. The manor was built and designed especially for producer Aaron Spelling but since his death and while it is currently home to his wife, it is on the market for a whopping $150 million. This property is perhaps one of the most bizarre in terms of its interior. Along with the ‘normal’ inclusions such as swimming pools, 3 kitchens and 123 rooms, the house also boasts an indoor ice skating rink, its very own private orchard and 100 private car parking spaces. Fascinating Fact: And the property’s strangeness doesn’t stop there. It also houses a room dedicated to wrapping presents, a temperature controlled room for storing jewellery and a whole floor dedicated to clothes. Like that wasn’t enough, the 17,000 square foot attic was recently fitted with a beauty salon and a barber shop!
9: ‘Updown Court’, Surrey
The ninth property on the list is also the UK’s third entry, worth $139 million, that means its 103 rooms total over a million dollars each. Breaking down its component parts, it features 24 bedrooms, 5 swimming pools, more spas and Jacuzzis, 58 acres of gardens and woodland, a helipad and heated marble driveway and underground granite made garage that can hold 8 limos, not bad at all! Interesting Fact: Updown Court is record breaking in two respects, it is the largest private built residence since the 19th century in the UK, at the same time, and its total land space is larger than 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!
Mickie
Knudsen-Keller Williams Realtor