Luxurious historical residences are essential attributes of the beautiful life of billionaires, emphasising their wealth and position in society. In the construction of new oligarchs' residences, unlimited resources, unique materials and design allow to achieve impressive results and create objects that open new architectural horizons. Such properties offer maximum comfort and serve as a liquid benchmark for profitable investments. This blog presents a selection of private homes by successful owners of vast fortunes.
Antilia (Mumbai, India)
The fact that the world's most expensive private home, with an estimated value of $2 billion, has appeared in India's largest city seems a little extravagant. The 27-storey, 143-metre-high building belongs to the country's richest man, Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries Limited. Designed by Chicago-based architects Perkins & Will, it took 4 years to build and was completed in 2010. Named after the mythical island of Antilia in the Atlantic Ocean, the luxurious building initially provoked anger and resentment among the locals, half of whom live on $2 a day.
Antilia comprises:
- The first 6 floors are occupied by a car park for 168 cars, with 3 helipads on the roof;
- 9 high-speed lifts, dozens of living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms in various styles;
- A 50-person home cinema with wine cellar and entertainment area;
- several swimming pools, a spa, a yoga studio and an ice room for heat emergencies;
- the top floor has a conference room with stunning views of the Arabian Sea.
The last 4 levels are dedicated to hanging gardens, emphasising Antilla's eco-friendly status. The residence can withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake and can accommodate more than 600 staff.
Villa Leopolda (French Riviera, France)
Villa Leopolda was built on the French Riviera in 1902 for the Belgian King Leopolda II. It passed through several owners until it was bought by the Brazilian-Lebanese banker Edmond Safra in the 1980s. After his death, Leopolda became the property of his widow, Lili Safra, and since her death in 2022, the luxurious residence has been inherited by family members. In the mid-nineties there were rumours that the villa had been sold to a Russian oligarch, but this has not been confirmed.
The 7-acre estate comprises a main house, greenhouse, pool house, summer kitchen and guest house. The main house has a spacious ballroom, 11 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms. Valued at over $700 million, the villa is located in a beautiful corner of southern Europe between Nice and Monaco. The grounds of La Leopolda, which has been used many times as a film location, offer stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Four Fairfield Pond (Sagaponack, New York, USA)
Four Fairfield Pond on Long Island was built in 2003 by businessman Michael Davis, who bought the oceanfront property for $103 million. 18 years later, Four Fairfield Pond became the largest property deal in the US when it was sold for $248 million. The buyer of the 6,000-square-metre building, built on 25 hectares of land, was Ira Rennert, the owner of the Renco Group, a major investment company.
Inside the residence there are 29 bedrooms, 39 bathrooms, a spacious dining room, a library and a ballroom. There are also two guesthouses, stables, a basketball court, bowling alley, tennis courts, three swimming pools and a garage for 100 cars. The first owner built his own power station to supply electricity to the entire estate. Due to its size and luxurious furnishings, Four Fairfield Pond has become a veritable billionaire's palace.
18-19 Kensington Gardens (London, United Kingdom)
This luxurious mansion, valued at $222 million, is located on one of the most expensive streets in the world, known as 'Billionaires Street', where royalty, oligarchs, tycoons and ambassadors can be found. Originally two separate buildings, built in April 1847 in the style of an Italian palazzo, it has had a series of very wealthy owners, including a representative of the Rothschild family. Over time, No. 18 Kensington Street became the Egyptian Embassy and No. 19 the Russian Embassy. In the 1990s, both properties were purchased by the academic and property developer David Khalili, who combined them into a private mansion.
In 2001, the owner of this luxurious property became the head of Formula 1, Bernie Ecclestone, but due to the whims of his wife, he was forced to sell it. The new happy owner of the mansion was billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, chairman of the steel empire ArcelorMittal. The 12-bedroom house covers 4,000 square metres, making it one of the largest private estates in London. The grounds include Turkish baths, indoor swimming pool, spa, parking for 20 cars and immaculately landscaped gardens. Kensington Palace, as the locals call it, is one of the most luxurious and aristocratic properties in the British capital. As proof, the heir to the royal throne, Prince William, and his wife, Princess Kate Middleton, live next door.
18 Kensington Palace Gardens on the map
Xanadu 2.0 (Washington State, USA)
Xanadu 2.0 is not nominally one of the top five most expensive private homes in the world, but it deserves a mention because of its features and the name of its owner. The owner is Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, who played a key role in the personal computer revolution. It took the owner 7 years and $63 million to build the property, while today its estimated value is around $125 million. The mansion is called Xanadu, like the fictional home of the main character in the film 'Citizen Kane', about how wealth and power could not make the tycoon happy.
As the progenitor of modern computer technology, Bill Gates equipped his home with the most advanced achievements of the time. Using sensors, guests at Xanadu 2.0 can change the lighting, music and temperature in their rooms. The function is activated by a special electronic pin that is attached to guests' clothing when they enter the house. Screens are placed throughout the mansion to display the desired image. Inside there is a 20 metre swimming pool with its own music system, a gym, a spacious library, a bar, 7 bedrooms and 6 kitchens. Next to the mansion is an artificial stream with salmon and sea trout. Bill Gates' pride and joy is a maple tree, to which the owner is very attached. For this reason, he has set up permanent computer control of his favourite tree, emphasising the fusion of advanced IT technology with nature.
Bonus! 7 bedroom villa (St Raphael, Limassol)
Dozens of elite homes in Cyprus cost more than 10 million euros. One of the most interesting options is a two-storey colonial-style villa that stands out at first glance. Columns and balustrades give an unobtrusive impression of the comfort of the last century, and a spacious plot (over 1300m2) with a swimming pool completes the picture perfectly.
The house has a spacious living room, kitchen, study, 7 bedrooms and several bathrooms. The property has a barbeque area and a beautiful garden. There is a cosy terrace adjacent to the house. From almost every point on the ground floor and the first floor there are incredible views of the sea and marina. Inside, the villa is finished to the latest standards: under floor heating and air conditioning, chic interior with expensive Italian furniture, beautiful layout.
The luxury of this villa is not only in the architecture and excellent finishes. It is also remarkable for its location, which is considered one of the best in Limassol. St Raphael's Cove is a marina and the best clean and comfortable beach in Limassol. It has been awarded the Blue Flag. This place is very quiet and cosy thanks to a small building. For the same reason, the residents of the villa will have access to magnificent open views. All necessary infrastructure is close by. The villa can be lived in by a family, but it will also be a great property to rent out to tourists. The cost of the villa is 105 million euros.
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