Any idea where are the most expensive houses located in the world? Who owns such homes? Which amenities are considered standard nowadays for the most expensive house in the world? Get answers for these questions and much more in this list of palatial residences, skyscrapers in India, and hilltop mansions in California.
Buckingham Palace, London: 775 rooms, inclusive of 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 78 washrooms, and 92 offices, the Queen's palace is nothing less than grand. It still holds the top rank for the world most expensive house. The British royal family may already own several castles and estates throughout the United Kingdom, Buckingham Palace has been the family's official residence since 1837. Queen Elizabeth spends her annual summer at Scotland's Balmoral Castle often.
Antilia Tower, Mumbai: This 27-story high building, owned by Mukesh Ambani, was designed in consultation with Chicago-based design firm Perkins & Will and Santa Monica-based hospitality architecture firm Hirsch Bedner Associates. The building is located in Mumbai's prime spot Cumballa Hill. The make of the tower is such that it can withstand an earthquake magnitude 8 on the Richter scale. Six floors are devoted to car parking, includes a car service station, a temple, a 50-seat movie theatre, and nine high-speed elevators.
Villa La Leopolda, France: This 11-bedroom, 14-bathroom estate villa is perched on 50 acres in France Alpes-Maritime department of its Cote d'Azur area. Lily Safra owns the villa, widow of Lebanese born Brazilian banker Edmond Safra. Some of the features of this most expensive house in the world are a commercial greenhouse, helipad, outdoor kitchen, and a pool with a stunning view. It was the setting for Alfred Hitchcock's 1955 movie called 'To Catch a Thief.'
The Odeon Tower Penthouse, Monaco: This tower comes with several floors and has its private elevator. The luxury does not stop there. The infinity pool that offers a 360-degree view of the city comes with a water slide. This makes the Odeon Penthouse spectacular.
Mesa Vista Ranch, Texas: Are you a pet lover? This vista is ideal for you. T. Boone Pickens' 65,000-acre vista boasts of a lodge, private airport, a pub, an 11,000 sq. Ft. Bird dog kennel with room to the house of 40 dogs, a chapel, a golf course, and almost 20 humanmade lakes. This oil tycoon moved from Oklahoma to this ranch in 2008.
Four Fairfield Pond, New York: This 62,000 sq. ft. mansion has 29 bedrooms, 39 washrooms, and a 91-foot dining room. The Renaissance style home sits on 63 acres of beachfront property in the Hamptons. This world most expensive house is home to all kinds of luxury spaces like a basketball court, bowling alley, squash courts, tennis courts, three huge swimming pools, and a garage that can easily hold 100 vehicles.
18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens, London: Another Indian cutting the list is Lakshmi Mittal's 55,000 sq. ft 19th-century mansion. It was initially built as two semi-detached homes. The buildings were purchased by developer David Khalili, who merged them to a palatial residence.
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