From the rise of aristocracy to the dawn of new-age billionaires, owning vast, sweeping estates is an age-old tradition. Mansions are and have always been a sign of great wealth and status, showcasing the very best architecture, the most contemporary interior design and breathtaking, manicured grounds that seem to roll on endlessly. For the royals of England there is Buckingham Palace, developed by renowned architect John Nash in the late 1700’s into a 52-bedroom palace set across 39 acres of land. Across the globe in India is the beautiful Umaid Bhawan Palace, a 26-acre home built for the Maharajah Umaid Singh in the mid 1900’s.
For those with great affluence, a home is far more than just a place to live, it is also an expression of status, influence and refined taste. Many of the world’s largest luxury homes redefine grandiosity with their sprawling grounds and unrivalled exclusivity not to mention the unique, stunning interior design and state of the art amenities. These estates often possess private golf courses and helipads and boast infinity pools and bespoke, one-of-a-kind art collections. These properties are specifically tailored for those of extraordinary wealth and discerning taste.
These architectural masterpieces provide unparallelled comfort and convenience whilst also showcasing class and wealth. Owning a home like this is the very pinnacle of success that only few people get to experience.
This list will uncover some of the most impressive residences in the world:
Umm Suqeim Villa, Dubai
The most expensive villa in Dubai, this impressive 7-bedroom home in Umm Suqeim is a stylistically exquisite and expensive luxury property. It has a grand entrance hall leading through to an airy open-plan living and dining space overlooking the perfectly kept gardens. The ground floor also comes complete with a gourmet kitchen with a large island and separated female and male Majilis rooms - a large Middle Eastern sitting room that is characterised by low seating and open central spaces. Additionally there are two guest bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and staff quarters that can accommodate up to 5 people. Outdoors there is a beautiful, large pool and an alfresco kitchen perfect for hosting summer events. The gardens were strategically designed by renowned landscapers that specialised in modern architecture.
Fairfield, New York
At a staggering 110,000 square feet, this mega-mansion in the Hamptons is about 75 times bigger than the average detached house. Located in the small, historic village of Sagaponack, Fairfield is not only the largest house in New York but is the second largest in the whole of the United States of America. Owned by businessman Ira Rennert, chairman and CEO of Renco Group, this vast property has somewhere between 21 and 29 bedrooms and between 18 and 38 bathrooms. Fairfield, which is astoundingly twice the size of the White House, also has three luxury swimming pools, two tennis courts, a 164-seat theatre, a basketball court and a bowling alley. The garage can hold up to 100 cars and the dining room has a capacity of 105 seated guests. With its own power plant and synagogue, Fairfield truly takes the word ‘mansion’ to a whole new level.
Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
Nestled beautifully in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, is the breathtaking 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate. It is the largest privately owned home in the United States and was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt. With 175,000 square feet which is equal to more than four acres of floor space, the 250-room French Renaissance-inspired house is truly a sight to behold. It has 35 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms as well as 3 kitchens and 65 separate fireplaces. The property also features a winery, a banquet hall, a bowling alley and an indoor swimming pool. A hidden door in the breakfast room is said to lead into the butler’s pantry and the house’s library has a secret space called The Den. The house has a value of $157 million and is currently owned by the Biltmore Company.
Antilia, India
There are many luxury homes dotted across the globe, but this 400,000 square foot skyscraper in Mumbai almost deserves a category of its own. It is the home of business magnate Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, and was named after a phantom Atlantic island. The 27-story mansion stands at a huge 570 feet tall and reportedly costs an estimated $1-2 billion. It boasts panoramic views of the city and was designed by Chicago-based architects Perkins and Will while construction work was carried out by Australia-based Leighton Holdings. Every floor is the same height as an average two-storey building with the top six floors set aside for private residential use. The lower floors contain a temple, guest suites, a hanging garden, helipads, a salon and ice cream parlour, and a private movie theatre.
Istana Nurul Iman Palace, Brunei
The Istana Nurul Palace in Brunei is home to the sultan and is one of the country’s main tourist attractions. Open to the public for just three days a year to celebrate the festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, this vast palace perches on the bank of the Brunei River, just outside the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan. The palace is known for its golden domes and vaulted roofs and it is estimated that the palace cost nearly $1.5 billion to construct. With well over 1,700 rooms, the palace and grounds also have 257 bathrooms, five swimming pools, a mosque, a banquet hall and adequate space for the sultan’s 7,000 cars.
The homes on this list showcase the very height of opulence, offering luxury and sanctuary to the wealthy and affluent. They are both an investment and a personal statement of a lifestyle full of success. Every detail reflects the owners exceptional standards and impeccable vision, from the architecture to the custom-designed interiors, and shows not only prestige but great personal achievement.
