World's 11 most expensive homes

If you have ever wondered about the definition of true luxury, then here it is! Presenting to you, World’s 11 most expensive houses which would leave you astonished as you read on… Interestingly, the first place is occupied by Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani's house.

1. Antilla,Mumbai - $2 billion :

Named Antilla, the house owned by Mukesh and Nita Ambani, is a 27-storey, 40,000-square foot tower.
Designed by consultation with architecture firms Perkins and Will & Hirsch Bedner Associates based in Dallas and Los Angeles Antilla is known for its custom measurements and fittings. No floors in their home are alike. Each floor has a different layout, material and design. With nine elevators in their lobby the house also boasts of a silver colored railing large ballroom with 80 per cent of its ceiling covered with crystal chandeliers.
The 570-foot tall mostly glass, the tower has 600 staff to handle the chores.
 The head of Reliance Industries, a oil and petrochemicals giant, Mukesh Ambani holds a net worth of $43 billion.

2. Villa Leopolda, French Riviera - $506 million :

Built in 1902 by King Leopold II of Belgium it now belongs to wife of Lebanese banker Edmond Safra, Lily.
It is an 80,000-square foot estate furnished with beautiful antiques and boasts of 19 bedrooms, courts, a bowling alley, multiple kitchens, dining rooms and a movie theatre.
It also has multiple swimming pools and lavish gardens that need more than 50 gardeners for its maintenance.

3. The Penthouse, London - $200 million :

Situated at the Number One Hyde Park address sits the most expensive flat in the world, at 6,000 pounds (Rs 434,000) per square foot.
The flat has panic rooms, bulletproof windows, iris scanners and even a secret tunnel to the nearby Mandarin Hotel. It also houses communal spas, squash courts and even wine tasting rooms.

4. Fairfield Pond, The Hamptons - $170 million :

With 29 bedrooms, 39 bathrooms, as well as a huge dining room (91 feet long), 5 sports courts, bowling alley and a $150,000-hot tub, this 63-acre home of American investor and businessman Ira Rennert is considered the largest residential compound in entire America.

5. Hearst Mansion, Beverly Hills :

Heart Mansion was the estate used in the film The Godfather. Formerly owned by publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, features 29 bedrooms, 3 pools a disco and a theatre.

6. Franchuk Villa, Kensington - $161 million :

A girl's prep school until 1997, this Villa was bought by developers and upgraded in 2006 with more than 10 million pounds and it was purchased by Ukrainian AIDS philanthropist Elena Franchuk. This 5-story home is freestanding, with 10 bedrooms, an underground swimming pool, movie theatre, panic room, saunas and gym.

7. The Pinnacle, Montana - $155 million

Owned by American billionaire Tim and Edra Blixseth this luxury ski-lodge is the home of private ski and golf community Yellowstone Club. With 10 bedrooms, this home has heated flooring throughout the house, a heated driveway, fireplaces in all bathrooms, a huge wine cellar, an indoor/outdoor pool, gym and massage room.

8. The Manor, Los Angeles - $150 million :

Having 123 rooms, The Manor (56,000-square-foot mansion) has some interesting appendages, such as a doll museum, a room used exclusively to wrap presents and an entire floor dedicated to closet space.
This is owned by American film and television producer Aaron Spelling.

9. Updown Court, Windlesham, Surrey - $139 million :

With 103 rooms, it has been billed 'the most important private residence to be built in England since the 19th century'.  This 40,000 square foot mansion is bigger than the Buckingham Palace and is said to be owned by crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Its most outstanding feature is the 24-carat gold leaf mosaic floor in 22 bedrooms and 27 baths.

10.Hala Ranch Aspen, Colorado - $135 million :

The main house on the property was designed by the architectural firm of Hagman Yaw and built by Hansen Construction of Aspen. The house is said to be owned by Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, a former Saudi ambassador to the United States.
The estate features several smaller buildings, stables, a tennis court and an indoor swimming pool.

11.L N Mittal's The Kensington Palace Garden house - $128.25 million :

Steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal, chairman and chief executive officer of Arcelor Mittal, bought this central London house in 2004. The 12-bedroom mansion located at the prestigious Kensington Palace Gardens has garage space for 20 cars. The Kensington Palace Gardens houses are dubbed Billionaires' Row.

Source : Rediff