What do you do when you have more money than you can spend? For some billionaires, that means building a house that’s more of a status symbol than a home. Be it a 5-story penthouse or a mansion in California’s Billionaire’s Row overlooking the sea, here are 12 of the most over-the-top homes in the world that make Netflix’s Selling Sunsets look like child’s play.
1. Caesarea, Israel – 14k gold mouldings & golden Roman statues
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty
Starting the list is this royal-style mansion in Caesarea, Israel, which is the cheapest with a price tag of USD$89.9 million (S$119 million). Inspired by Baroque and Rococo architecture, this 2-storey mansion is fit for a king.
On the 75,347sqft ground floor, you’ll find a vast 2,475sqft main hall with a stunning crystal chandelier hanging from the exquisite ceiling. The home features natural marble and onyx mosaics, but the most astounding detail is the 14k gold mouldings.
The formal dining room can seat up to 20 guests.
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty
The ground floor includes an ornately designed living room, formal dining room, separate breakfast room, library, and chef’s kitchen, all spanning 2,152sqft. The home’s interior is a picture of pure opulence – some call it gaudy, we call it old money.
One of the en-suite bedrooms in the mansion.
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty
The second floor, accessed via a majestic staircase adorned with a silk carpet, features 3 en-suite bedrooms, a study, and an impressive master suite with 2 bathrooms, 2 walk-in closets, and 2 dressing areas. It’s all very baroque.
Image credit: Sotheby’s International Realty
And if all that floor space isn’t impressive enough, the additional features of this mansion make it a worthy contender to the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas. Think a cinema with a 4K-equipped projector, a wine room, a billiards hall, indoor and outdoor pools, and 2 fountains with golden Roman statues.
Value: USD$89.9 million (S$119 million)
Location: Caesarea, Israel
Status: Available for sale
2. The One Bel Air – 4-lane bowling alley, a private nightclub & 5 pools
Image credit: Aaron Kirman
Once set to become one of the world’s most expensive houses, The One megamansion in Los Angeles was finally auctioned off for USD$141 million (S$187 million). Considering its original price tag was USD$500 million (S$667 million), the final sale price feels like a huge bargain if we could call it a USD$360 million discount.
The mansion – taking up 105,000sqft of interior space on 3.8 acres of land – is currently owned by Richard Saghian, the founder and CEO of Fashion Nova. All that space includes 21 bedrooms and 49 bathrooms. Its hilltop location also means it has a panoramic view of downtown Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean, and the San Gabriel Mountains.
4-lane bowling alley (top left), beauty salon (top right), nightclub (bottom left), and one of the many living spaces (bottom right).
Image credit: Aaron Kirman
Beyond its breathtaking views, this magnificent mansion presents many features that exude luxury. To cater to every whim, there is a gym, 5 pools, a 4-lane bowling alley, a private nightclub, and a beauty salon and a spa, to name just a few. It’s as though this home has its own SAFRA built into it.
Meanwhile, the primary bedroom alone is spacious: 5,000sqft, almost 3 times the size of an HDB maisonette. The bedroom has its own sitting room, dual walk-in closets, and a private home office. If there’s not enough space in the main house, this mansion also has a 4,500sqft guest house.
Value: USD$141 million (S$187 million)
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Status: Owned by Richard Saghian
3. Beyonce & Jay-Z’s mansion, USA – Direct access to Malibu beach
Image credit: Anthony Barcelo
Aside from holding the world record for the most Grammy Awards won in a lifetime for a female singer, Beyonce seems to be winning in life again after she managed to snag the most expensive home ever sold in the state of California with her mansion in Malibu.
Situated on a hill in California’s own Bilionaire’s Row that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, Beyonce and Jay-Z spent USD$200 million (S$266 million) to own this 40,0000sqft home. Despite the cost that would take a normal person 7 lifetimes to achieve, the couple got an unbelievable deal as the house was originally listed for a whooping USD$295 million.
Image credit: WHY
The extravagant price tag of the 8-bedroom house came with many perks. Besides the scenic views, the Carters have direct access to Malibu’s most breathtaking beach. The home is also a work of renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who also designed Kanye West’s house, also in Malibu.
Together with LA-based Why Architects, Ando took 15 years to plan and build the brutalist, all-white estate complete with 22,500sqft of concrete solely for the driveway, a swimming pool and a reflecting pool.
Value: USD$200 million (S$266 million)
Location: Malibu, USA
Status: Owned by Beyonce and Jay-Z
4. Xanadu 2.0, Washington – Smartest mansion in the world
Image credit: Ted Soqui
Bill Gates might be one of the least flashy technology moguls – looking at you, Elon – but this doesn’t mean he spared any expense when it came to his home in Washington. Built over 7 years starting from 1988, the Microsoft founder spent over USD$63 million (S$84 million) to transform a blank piece of land that overlooks Lake Washington into a sprawling estate inspired by the 1941 film Citizen Kane.
It also comes as no surprise that Bill Gates’ home sports plenty of technology to the point that some publications have dubbed his home the “smartest mansion on the planet.” If you ever get the chance to visit this property, you’ll get an electronic pin that allows you to change the lighting, music, and temperature of any room you walk into without touching a switch.
Speakers have also been installed within the walls of the mansion so you can play your favourite Spotify playlist and have the music follow you from room to room. And if that’s not impressive enough, the maple trees on his compound are also monitored by software to ensure that they never go dry and are fed the right amount of water.
Image credit: Gates Notes
Inside, the 66,000sqft mansion boasts 7 bedrooms and 24 bathrooms. In case the rooms are not enough, Xanadu 2.0 also has a 1,900sqft guest house. Other notable features of the mansion include 6 kitchens, a 2,100sqft library, an indoor and outdoor pool, a trampoline room with a 20-foot ceiling, a sauna, a steam room, and a beach with imported Caribbean sand.
Fun fact: Bill Gates has auctioned off tours of his house, which have gone for USD$35,000.
Value: USD$130 million (S$173 million)
Location: Washington, USA
Status: Owned by Bill Gates
5. One Hyde Park Penthouse, London – Unblocked views of Hyde Park
Image credit: Candy Capital
As of the time of writing, the penthouse at One Hyde Park is by far the most expensive property available on the market in London. Previously owned by the property tycoon Nick Candy, this duplex penthouse has uninterrupted views of Hyde Park. But that’s not the only thing that justifies the penthouse’s asking price of USD$247 million (S$329 million).
The master suite (top left), the ‘his’ bathroom (top right), the formal dining table (bottom left), the formal reception room (bottom right).
Image credit: Candy Capital
The home – Penthouse B, specifically – spans over 18,000sqft across 2 floors. While it only has 5 bedrooms, myriad other features will make anyone stop and stare. Anyone stepping into the formal reception room will be greeted by a shimmering chandelier decked out in Swarovski crystals and views of Hyde Park like no other.
There is also a 21-metre-long swimming pool, his and hers glass baths built by Lalique, a hidden champagne room within the stately dining room, a temperature-controlled wine room that can fit 750 bottles, a home cinema, a private spa with a sauna and steam room, and a golf-simulator.
Value: USD$247 million (S$329 million)
Location: Knightsbridge, London
Status: Up for sale
6. Ira Rennert House, New York – Has a 164-seat theatre
Image credit: Luxe Digital
If the Hamptons are known as the playground of the rich, then Ira Rennert – the owner of Four Fairfield Pond – will be crowned as the king of the playground. Built in the 1990s, this estate covers nearly 63 acres of land, making it one of the largest properties in the US of A. The mansion itself is still a staggering 62,000sqft of Italian architecture.
True to Ira’s nature of being a great entertainer, his estate has 29 bedrooms and 39 bathrooms, so none of his guests will have to sleep on any couches or pull-out beds. His dining room is also a staggering 91-foot-long. But most impressive is his theatre, which has 164 seats – that’s bigger than some lecture halls in universities!
One of the 2 pool houses.
Image credit: Business Insider
Value: USD$248 million (S$331 million)
Location: Hampton, New York
Status: Owned by Ira Rennert
7. 15 Kensington Palace Gardens, London – Armoured glass & multi-level underground car park
Image credit: Daily Mail
One of the most exclusive streets in London is Kensington Palace Gardens, where even the name sounds extremely fancy and upper crust. One of the homes along this street is owned by the owner and founder of Warner Music Group, Leonards Blavatnik.
The entertainment mogul paid merely £41 million (S$69 million) for the property back in 2004 and had it go through an extensive 2-year renovation to include features like a 25-metre-long swimming pool that is both indoors and outdoors, a gym, massage room, wine cellar, and an underground car park. Now, the home is valued at £200 million (S$338 million). Not bad for an initial investment.
An artist’s impression of the swimming pool on the property.
Image credit: Daily Mail
For additional security, Leonards beefed up his windows by building them with armoured glass.
Value: USD$200 million (S$338 million)
Location: Kensington, England
Status: Owned by Leonards Blavatnik, owner and founder of Warner Music Group
8. Tour Odeon Tower Penthouse, Monaco – A 5-floor penthouse
Image credit: Tour Odeon
The Tour Odeon Tower in Monaco has a penthouse that takes extravagance to a whole other level – literally – as it spans over 5 floors at the peak of this 49-floor tower. Each of the 5 said floors is also double height, meaning the penthouse itself covers over 10 ordinary floors. And you can expect to pay a hefty price tag of USD$387 million (S$517 million) to call this your crib.
The Sky Penthouse, as it’s aptly called, has more than enough space for 5 main bedrooms, including one that’s the size of 2.5 tennis courts, 5 kitchens, and 3 staff quarters. Its penthouse status also means unparalleled views of the Mediterranean Sea and the rolling hills of Monaco.
Image credit: Tour Odeon
Although not much is known about its elusive owner, this penthouse also features an impressive number of lavish amenities, including a stunning outdoor rooftop and a circular infinity pool with a waterslide. In case that’s not enough, the skyscraper itself is equipped with a health centre, multiple swimming pools, and an in-house caterer. The residents of the tower are also offered a 24/7 concierge service and a private chauffeur.
Value: Estimated USD$387 million (S$517 million)
Location: Beausoleil, Monaco
Status: Private owner
9. Les Palais Bulles, France – Star Wars-ish holiday home
Image credit: Le Palais Bulles
Nicknamed the Bubble Palace for its unconventional round shapes, this mansion with an uncanny Star Wars aesthetic once belonged to legendary fashion designer Pierre Cardin before his demise in 2020. As of the time of writing, this 13,000sqft home is up for sale for a steep price of USD$390 million (S$521 million).
The living space (top left), one of the bedrooms (top right), the amphitheatre (bottom left), the pool (bottom right).
Image credit: Le Palais Bulles
Located in Théoule-sur-Mer near Cannes in France, this eclectic home on the French Riviera took 14 years to construct by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag. This home spans 13,000sqft and has 29 rooms, including 10 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms that different contemporary artists individually decorated. A key feature of this extravagant architecture is the 500-seat open-air amphitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean.
In addition to hosting the Dior Cruise Collection back in 2015, The Bubble Palace is also rented out for other commercial events for approximately USD$31,626 per day.
Value: USD$390 million (S$521 million)
Location: Théoule-sur-Mer, France
Status: Up for sale
10. Villa Leopolda, France – Once belonged to a Belgian King
Image credit: All That’s Interesting
If you’ve ever watched Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch A Thief or The Red Shoes, you might recognise the stately facade of Villa Leopolda. Built on some of the most expensive land on the French Riviera, Villa Leopolda sits on 18 acres of land, making it one of the largest homes in the world. One of the things that contribute to Villa Leopolda’s staggering value at USD$750 million (S$1 billion) is the deep history rooted behind its walls.
The luxury estate has changed hands plenty of times. King Leopold II of Belgium first bought the mansion for his young mistress back in 1902. During World War II, it was converted into a hospital. Then, Giovanni Agnelli, the founder of Fiat, bought the place in 1950 before selling it to the banker Edmond Safra and his wife Lily.
The couple were known to have thrown parties as lavish as the ones you might have seen in The Great Gatsby at Villa Leopolda. The soirees were so over-the-top, as the Safras flew in tulips from Holland, chefs from France, and an orchestra from California. An author who attended one in 1988 described the night as the “ultimate in conspicuous consumption.”
One of the many pools (top left), some of the living spaces (top right, bottom left & bottom right).
Image credit: The Richest
As expected from a home once built for royalty, Villa Leopolda has 19 deluxe bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, all decorated with antiques worth millions of dollars. And despite having been built over a century ago, Villa Leopolda is anything but outdated. Each of the previous owners has outfitted the compound with new features such as a bowling alley, cinema, and a helipad.
Value: USD$750 million (S$1 billion)
Location: Vilefranche-sur-Mer, France
Status: Unknown owner
11. Antilia, India – A 27-storey building for one family
Image credit: Times India
Antilia is not your ordinary condo building. In fact, the 27-storey residence is home to the Ambani family and has been dubbed by many as the second most lavish property in the world. Mukesh Ambani, billionaire businessman and the second richest man in India, commissioned an entire building along Mumbai’s “Billionaire’s Row” to be the private residence of his family.
Named after a mythical island in the Atlantic Ocean near Portugal and Spain, this house – if you could call it that – costs a mind-boggling USD$1-2 billion (S$1.3-2.6 billion) to build. Chicago-based architecture firm Perkins & Will and a California-based hospitality design company, Hirsch Bedner Associates, designed this state-of-the-art building with multiple amenities befitting a residence of this stature. Some include a private ice cream outlet, a 50-seater movie theatre and a salon that makes Antilia feel more like a mall than a home.
Image credit: Architectural Digest
If that has yet to impress you, perhaps the temple where everything from the doors to the idols is rumoured to be made from gold and silver. The idols of the Gods are also said to be draped in bling. And to beat the equatorial heat, Antilia has a snow room that can create artificial snowflakes, much like our very own Snow City.
Value: Estimated USD$1-2 billion (S$1.3-2.6 billion)
Location: Mumbai, India
Status: Owned by Mukesh Ambani
12. Buckingham Palace, London – Official home of King Charles
Image credit: Viator
Buckingham Palace has not been on sale since 1761, but if it were to be put on the market these days, the residence would cost around USD$4.8 billion (S$6.4 billion), making it one of the most expensive homes in the world. In comparison, the Istana in Singapore is valued at around S$18-25 billion.
The famous balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Image credit: Town & Country
Serving as the official London residence of the British monarch since the 18th century, Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms.
Value: USD$4.8 billion (S$6.4 billion)
Location: Westminster, London
Status: Owned by the British Royal Family
Most over-the-top homes in the world
There you have it- 12 most over-the-top homes in the world that show us luxury knows no limit. From a snow room to a bowling alley, these residences have amenities that may seem like a dream for most, but they can inspire homeowners that the sky isn’t the limit when it comes to creating the perfect place to call home.
Read our other articles here:
- 8 most expensive estates to rent in Singapore in 2023
- Song Joong Ki’s expensive luxury apartment in Gangnam
- How to make your HDB look expensive when you’re on a budget
Cover image adapted from: Times India, The Pinnacle List, The New York Times, Sotheby’s International Realty
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