The true measure of a person's material wealth is mostly gauged through his choice of abode. Let's take a look at the most expensive houses in the world to see how living the high life can reach soaring heights in costs.
1. Antilla in Mumbai, India: $1 billion
When the world's 5th richest man moved into his 27-storey mansion that lords above frenetic Mumbai, it heralded an unprecedented landmark in real estate development; Antilla was the first ever billion dollar residence in the world. Owned by tycoon Mukesh Ambani, Antilla impresses with its sheer magnitude and extraordinary design. No two storeys are alike inside the towering structure. Its interiors rival that of the Palace of Versailles. It accommodates guestrooms, lounges, dance studio, health club, gym, and a six-level garage for the family's 168 cars.
2. One Hyde Park Penthouse in Knightsbridge, England: $225 million
The toast of posh condominiums in London is the ultra-luxe One Hyde Park situated in the trendy district of Knightsbridge. Ukraine's wealthiest man, Rinat Akhmetov, paid a handsome price to be in the topmost floor of the building. The $225 million (£136 million) property is not your typical London flat, being 16 times larger than the typical three-bedroom home. Construction utilised 15 types of rare marble and thousands of oak trees in Europe. Amenities include private theatre, saunas, pool, wine cellar, and fitness room. The yearly service charges for such property are over £100,000.
3. William Randolph Hearst's mansion in Los Angeles, United States: $165 million
William Randolph Hearst's mansion in Beverly Hills has gained a stellar reputation with its cameo appearance in the iconic movie "The Godfather". It also hosted the honeymoon of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy in 1953. The 1920s mansion situated in a 6-acre estate holds 29 bedrooms, movie theatre, three pools, and its own disco. The publishing magnate purchased the property for $120,000 in 1947. It became the most expensive house in the US market in 2007 when the current owner's asking price was $165 million.
4. Elena Franchuk's Victorian villa in London, England: $161 million
The Victorian villa owned by Elena Franchuk, notable AIDS awareness advocate from Ukraine, fetched £80 million or $161 million when it was purchased. Formerly a girl's school, the villa was developed to become a residence in 2006. The massive refurbishment gave the historic building its current features - five storeys, 10 bedrooms, sauna, room theatre, and entertainment room. This Victorian villa is located in London's Kensington district.
5. Aaron Spelling's manor in Los Angeles, United States: $150 million
Built and designed to reflect the golden legacy of American television's premier producer, Aaron Spelling, his erstwhile manor just outside Los Angeles is worth $150 million in the market. The mega-mansion conveys French chateau sophistication and houses 123 bedrooms, tennis court, bowling alley, and three kitchens. One unique feature of the manor is an entire floor used as closet space. The wardrobe of new owner, 22-year-old Petra Ecclestone, will probably occupy that space.
6. Hala Ranch in Colorado, United States: $135 million
Hala Ranch is the leisure palace of Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. Its location in Starwood Ranch grants private access to some of Colorado's best slopes. The 135-million-dollar house has 15 bedrooms as well as 27 bathrooms and is even bigger than the White House. It also has indoor pool, stables, car wash, and tennis court.
7. Fleur de Lys in Los Angeles, United States: $125 million
Fleur de Lys is a sprawling 3,809-square-metre mansion inspired by Vaux-le-Comte, a 17th century chateau that was also used as a model for the Versailles palace. It has been in the market since 2007 for $125 million. The interiors of the mansion speak of French influences, from the handpicked limestone adorning the walls to the 24-karat gold trimmings. Period furniture linked to Napoleon and Marie Antoinette makes a visit to the Fleur de Lys nothing short of a museum-like experience.
8. Maison de l'Amitie in Florida, United States: $100 million
Donald Trump's beachfront property, Maison de l'Amitie in Palm Beach, stands on 7,432 square metres of land and houses 15 bedrooms, a conservatory, a ballroom, a tennis house, a guest cottage, and a resplendent pool. Originally placed in the market for $125 million in 2006, the palatial house was sold to Russian mogul Dmitry Rybolovlev for $100 million two years later.
9. Dracula's Castle in Brasov, Romania: $80 million
Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula's Castle, sprawls amidst 20 acres of mountain-top property in Brasov, Romania. It boasts 57 rooms that still exude Old World charm. It was called Dracula's Castle because it had been frequented by Vlad the Impaler, better known as Count Dracula. The palace is currently owned by Archduke Dominic Habsburg. He still has not found a willing buyer for the castle, whose actual worth is said to be $135 million.
10. Updown Court in Surrey, England: $56 million
Updown Court stands larger than the combined areas of Buckingham Palace and Hampton Court Palace. The grand mansion is part of a 58-acre property sold for $56 million after being ignored by the market for six years. You can find a cinema, bowling alley, and pools inside the 103-room house.
1. Antilla in Mumbai, India: $1 billion
When the world's 5th richest man moved into his 27-storey mansion that lords above frenetic Mumbai, it heralded an unprecedented landmark in real estate development; Antilla was the first ever billion dollar residence in the world. Owned by tycoon Mukesh Ambani, Antilla impresses with its sheer magnitude and extraordinary design. No two storeys are alike inside the towering structure. Its interiors rival that of the Palace of Versailles. It accommodates guestrooms, lounges, dance studio, health club, gym, and a six-level garage for the family's 168 cars.
2. One Hyde Park Penthouse in Knightsbridge, England: $225 million
The toast of posh condominiums in London is the ultra-luxe One Hyde Park situated in the trendy district of Knightsbridge. Ukraine's wealthiest man, Rinat Akhmetov, paid a handsome price to be in the topmost floor of the building. The $225 million (£136 million) property is not your typical London flat, being 16 times larger than the typical three-bedroom home. Construction utilised 15 types of rare marble and thousands of oak trees in Europe. Amenities include private theatre, saunas, pool, wine cellar, and fitness room. The yearly service charges for such property are over £100,000.
3. William Randolph Hearst's mansion in Los Angeles, United States: $165 million
William Randolph Hearst's mansion in Beverly Hills has gained a stellar reputation with its cameo appearance in the iconic movie "The Godfather". It also hosted the honeymoon of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy in 1953. The 1920s mansion situated in a 6-acre estate holds 29 bedrooms, movie theatre, three pools, and its own disco. The publishing magnate purchased the property for $120,000 in 1947. It became the most expensive house in the US market in 2007 when the current owner's asking price was $165 million.
4. Elena Franchuk's Victorian villa in London, England: $161 million
The Victorian villa owned by Elena Franchuk, notable AIDS awareness advocate from Ukraine, fetched £80 million or $161 million when it was purchased. Formerly a girl's school, the villa was developed to become a residence in 2006. The massive refurbishment gave the historic building its current features - five storeys, 10 bedrooms, sauna, room theatre, and entertainment room. This Victorian villa is located in London's Kensington district.
5. Aaron Spelling's manor in Los Angeles, United States: $150 million
Built and designed to reflect the golden legacy of American television's premier producer, Aaron Spelling, his erstwhile manor just outside Los Angeles is worth $150 million in the market. The mega-mansion conveys French chateau sophistication and houses 123 bedrooms, tennis court, bowling alley, and three kitchens. One unique feature of the manor is an entire floor used as closet space. The wardrobe of new owner, 22-year-old Petra Ecclestone, will probably occupy that space.
6. Hala Ranch in Colorado, United States: $135 million
Hala Ranch is the leisure palace of Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. Its location in Starwood Ranch grants private access to some of Colorado's best slopes. The 135-million-dollar house has 15 bedrooms as well as 27 bathrooms and is even bigger than the White House. It also has indoor pool, stables, car wash, and tennis court.
7. Fleur de Lys in Los Angeles, United States: $125 million
Fleur de Lys is a sprawling 3,809-square-metre mansion inspired by Vaux-le-Comte, a 17th century chateau that was also used as a model for the Versailles palace. It has been in the market since 2007 for $125 million. The interiors of the mansion speak of French influences, from the handpicked limestone adorning the walls to the 24-karat gold trimmings. Period furniture linked to Napoleon and Marie Antoinette makes a visit to the Fleur de Lys nothing short of a museum-like experience.
8. Maison de l'Amitie in Florida, United States: $100 million
Donald Trump's beachfront property, Maison de l'Amitie in Palm Beach, stands on 7,432 square metres of land and houses 15 bedrooms, a conservatory, a ballroom, a tennis house, a guest cottage, and a resplendent pool. Originally placed in the market for $125 million in 2006, the palatial house was sold to Russian mogul Dmitry Rybolovlev for $100 million two years later.
9. Dracula's Castle in Brasov, Romania: $80 million
Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula's Castle, sprawls amidst 20 acres of mountain-top property in Brasov, Romania. It boasts 57 rooms that still exude Old World charm. It was called Dracula's Castle because it had been frequented by Vlad the Impaler, better known as Count Dracula. The palace is currently owned by Archduke Dominic Habsburg. He still has not found a willing buyer for the castle, whose actual worth is said to be $135 million.
10. Updown Court in Surrey, England: $56 million
Updown Court stands larger than the combined areas of Buckingham Palace and Hampton Court Palace. The grand mansion is part of a 58-acre property sold for $56 million after being ignored by the market for six years. You can find a cinema, bowling alley, and pools inside the 103-room house.
