Think of your dream property and then think a little harder and you’ll begin to get an idea of what the most expensive homes in the world look like.
Because what happens when you bring together an architect limited only by gravity and an owner with a bottomless wallet? You get a luxury house filled with bespoke features tailored exactly to your personality and taste.
And the sky’s the limit: that could mean an outdoor theatre overlooking the Mediterranean sea, an entirely circular building, or whole new levels of exciting tech.
These million dollar homes knew no limits when it came to furnishing or decorating. “Mega mansions” or “a million dollar house” doesn’t really cover it: the world’s biggest house comes with 240 bedrooms and 535 other rooms.
Some of the other most expensive homes ever sold are vertical palaces designed to withstand earthquakes or sprawling estates with breathtaking views. These homes know no boundaries.
The 13 most expensive houses in the world
| # | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buckingham Palace | $6.7 billion |
| 2 | Antilia | $2 billion |
| 3 | Villa Leopolda | $750 million |
| 4 | The One | $500 million |
| 5 | Villa Les Cèdres | $4.3 million |
| 6 | Les Palais Bulles | $385 million |
| 7 | The Odeon Tower Penthouse | $330 million |
| 8 | Four Fairfield Pond | $248 million |
| 9 | Ellison Estate | $200 million |
| 10 | Palazzo di Amore | $195 million |
| 11 | Seven The Pinnacle | $155 million |
| 12 | Xanadu 2.0 | $127 million |
| 13 | 18-19 Kensington Gardens | $222 million |
1. Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom
Buckingham Palace might not be put up for sale anytime soon but, if it was, it would be worth around $6.7 billion dollars. With 240 bedrooms as well as a swimming pool and doctor’s surgery, it’s a place called home by the British Royal Family and is also open to the public for guided tours.
In total, this rich house—if you can call it a mere house—contains 775 rooms: 19 state rooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. It’s also got a huge team of staff as well as beautiful gardens. Rumour has it, there are a few other secret rooms dotted throughout this huge luxury mansion.
Estimated value: $6.7 billion Location: London, UK Owner: Queen of England
2. Antilia, India
Antilia is owned by Mukesh Ambani, the richest person in India, and is named after a mythical island in the Atlantic. This 400,000-square-foot building sits in the most prestigious postcode of India and reaches 27 floors, with each double-height ceiling counting as two floors. But, despite its huge height, it’s designed to withstand huge earthquakes.
This beautiful building was designed around traditional, natural elements, but also has an entire six floors dedicated to parking. It contains a huge temple, a number of guest suites, a salon, an ice-cream parlor, and a private movie theatre for all to enjoy. It even has a snow room that spits out snowflakes, if India’s high temperatures get a little too much.
Estimated value: $2 billion Location: Mumbai, India Owner: Mukesh Ambani
3. Villa Leopolda, France
Villa Leopolda sits between two of the most prestigious parts of the world: Monaco and Nice. Sumptuous and stylish, it’s a luxury property with a regal past and previously belonged to King Leopold II of Belgium. Since then, it’s passed through the hands of many owners and has also been used as a film set, for Alfred Hitchcock’s “La Main Au Collet“.
When Edward Safra, its previous owner, passed away, he left the villa to his wife. Its huge swimming pool and excessive gardens reportedly require the daily work of more than 50 gardeners. Across the entire property, there’s 80,000-square feet of space.
Estimated value: $750 million Location: French Riviera, France Owner: Lily Safra
4. The One, United States
The One mansion is considered not only to be the most expensive house in California but also the most expensive house in the US. But it’s also The One riddled with debt and legal issues. But, despite its flaws, this is a beautiful property with gorgeous views in a breathtaking setting.
The One is home to nine bedrooms and multiple kitchens, as well as all of the other essentials like a nightclub, a bowling alley with four lanes, a salon, a home gym, a 50-seat theatre, and a running track. It has not just a swimming pool, but also six other water features, like a jacuzzi and a moat that surrounds the luxury house.
Estimated value: $500 million Location: California, United States Owner: Nile Niami
5. Villa Les Cèdres, France
The 18,000-square-foot Villa Les Cèdres is more of a luxury palace than it is a simple home. Set across 35 acres of land, this traditional luxury mansion is fit for a king—and was once owned by one.
As well as endless bedrooms and communal spaces, this luxury property has an Olympic size swimming pool, a stunning ballroom, and even a stable with room for up to 30 horses. Outside, you’ll find 15,000 plants and 20 greenhouses with tropical flowers from all over the world. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and has multiple balconies swathed with palm trees.
Estimated value: $4.3 million Location: Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France Owner: Rinat Akhmetov
6. Les Palais Bulles, France
Les Palais Bulles or, The Bubble Palace, is a little different to your ordinary million dollar house. Like its name suggests, this property is shaped like a huge, peach-colored bubble. A bird’s eye view at Les Palais Bulles reveals a collection of circular buildings. And the circle theme continues inside.
Take a walk through The Bubble Palace and you’ll spot cylindrical beds, swimming pools and artwork. The luxury villa was designed by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag and features 10 suites decorated by different contemporary artists. As well as the obvious rooms, it’s also home to a sprawling, 500-seat outdoor theatre, with views overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
Estimated value: $385 million Location: Cannes, France Owner: Pierre Cardin
7. The Odeon Tower Penthouse, Monaco
The Odeon Tower Penthouse might not feature a garden but it does offer spectacular views across Monaco. Known as the world’s most expensive flat, it sits at the top of a 560ft skyscraper. Overlooking the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, The Odeon Tower Penthouse has its own infinity pool complete with slide for those who fancy a salt-free swim.
The luxury penthouse includes 38,000 square feet of space spread across five levels, with five kitchens spread throughout each floor. It’s got a dance floor, a luxurious bathroom, and even a few staff bedrooms. A parking space for the property is thought to cost around $330,000.
Estimated value: $330 million Location: Monaco Owner: Unknown
8. Four Fairfield Pond, United States
The Hamptons are renowned for being expensive but Four Fairfield Pond takes it to the next level. This is a luxury mansion designed for anyone who gets bored easily, thanks to its sweeping grounds and endless array of facilities.
As well as the 39 bathrooms and 29 bedrooms, a stay here includes access to a private basketball court, a two-lane bowling alley, and a 164 seat theatre. Known as one of the largest homes in the United States, it also features 12 chimneys, a 91-foot-long dining room and a billiards room, two tennis courts, and two squash courts.
Estimated value: $248 million Location: New York, United States Owner: Ira Rennert
9. Ellison Estate, United States
Billionaire Larry Ellison doesn’t just own one property, but his Ellison Estate might just be the most impressive. Located in Woodside, California, this incredible waterfront property is one that’s definitely worthy of its never-ending attention. It’s actually a collection of houses inside one giant property, alongside a man-made lake, a tea house, and a bathhouse.
It’s designed to settle into its surroundings, with a lodge-style design throughout and all of the comfy, cozy velvet sofas and fireplaces you could ever need. Set inside a gated community, it’s arguably the world’s coolest lake house and sets the scene for a relaxing holiday.
Estimated value: $200 million Location: California, United States Owner: Larry Ellison
10. Palazzo di Amore, United States
Beverly Hills-based Palazzo di Amore looks just as expensive as it is. Set in a prestigious neighborhood, this huge property was initially built in 2014 and was regarded as the most expensive residential complex in the United States at the time.
Then, it was renovated both inside and out by its owner, Jeff Greene, who more than doubled the value of the property once he’d spent a few years changing it up. 12 bedrooms and 25 bathrooms is just the start of the rooms here, along with a 15,000 square foot entertainment center, a bowling alley, a 50-seat movie theatre, a disco, and even its own vineyard.
Estimated value: $195 million Location: California, United States Owner: Jeff Greene
11. Seven The Pinnacle, United States
This beautiful property sits on the slopes of Montana, a Christmas-card-ready luxury house that’s calling out for cozy evenings sat around a fire while it snows outside. The largest property with a private golf and ski community in the world, you’ll find Seven The Pinnacle at Yellowstone Club, surrounded by tall trees.
Inside is even more impressive than its exteriors, with 123 rooms in total. Those include 10 bedrooms, a large and well-equipped spa with a massage area, a gym, both an outdoor and indoor pool, and fireplaces dotted throughout. It covers an area of 57,000 square feet in total.
Estimated value: $155 million Location: Montana, United States Owner: Tim Blixseth
12. Xanadu 2.0, United States
Bill and Melinda Gates’ impressive luxury mansion overlooks Lake Washington in Medina, Washington, and took seven years to build from scratch. Previously known as the richest man in the world, Bill Gates went above and beyond when it came to designing his house. The estate covers 66,000 square feet and features 500 Douglas fir trees.
It’s filled with futuristic technology, like tiny pins attached to each guest’s lapel so they can control lighting, music, and temperature. It’s got an artificial stream filled with real salmon and trout, as well as six kitchens, seven bedrooms, and a computer-controlled maple tree, for when the 50 gardeners don’t get time to look after it themselves.
Estimated value: $127 million Location: Washington, United States Owner: Bill Gates
13. 18-19 Kensington Gardens, United States
The whole of Kensington Gardens is known for being full of millionaire properties, but 18-19 Kensington Gardens takes things a little further. Known as Nour Palace, this property was bought in the 1990s for five million dollars.
Years of restoration—and a $90 million investment—turned it from a derelict, half-put-together house into a millionaire’s dream, with a value that’s grown exponentially. Stunning rooms come complete with traditional charm, with manicured gardens around the entire property to be enjoyed on warm spring days. A lot of the property was renovated using the same marble as that used to build the Taj Mahal. There’s a hairdressing salon, an indoor swimming pool, a spa, steam showers, and saunas as well as parking for 20 cars.
Estimated value: $222 million Location: London, England Owner: Lakshmi Mittal This article was originally written by and appeared here.
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