From cascading waterfalls and waterslides to bowling alleys and private islands, Billionaire.com’s eye-watering list of the world’s most expensive properties takes extravagant real estate to the next level. Five of the top ten are from the US and include homes in New York and Los Angeles starting from US$ 95 million.
The list was complied from extensive in-house research and consulting the world’s top property firms to find the current most expensive homes for sale.
1. Penthouse at the Tour Odeon Monaco, Monaco
Price: US$388 million
Scheduled for completion in early 2015, the Tour Odeon Monaco will be the second-largest building on the Mediterranean coastline and home to the world’s most expensive apartment; a five-floor penthouse costing US$388. Apartments in the building start at US$36 million and with 35,000 square foot of space, ready to be designed according to buyer taste, the penthouse is a mini-mansion. Outside, a waterslide connects the dance floor to a circular infinity pool, which looks like an enormous floating glass.
2. The Manor, Los Angeles, US
Price: US$ 150 million
Built in 1988 by entertainment tycoon Aaron Spelling and his wife Candy, “The Manor” was bought three years ago by Petra Stunt (Ecclestone). Since then, she has spent US$ 20 million on refurbishments and now has 123 rooms, including a gym, bowling alley and screening room. The Manor sits within 4.7 acres of LA’s most exclusive land and would be the most expensive house ever sold in the US should it meet the asking price.
To be sold privately.
3. Beverly House, Los Angeles, US
Price:US$ 135 million
It famously appeared in the movie The Godfather and was the honeymoon spot for JF Kennedy and his wife Jackie. With almost 365 days of sunshine a year the house is purpose built to take advantage of the Californian temperature, with floor-to-ceiling windows, large cool rooms, an outdoor tennis court, swimming pool and cascading waterfalls. The terrace seats 400 and, given there is also a nightclub in the house, it has all the ingredients for a successful party.
4. Rancho San Carlos, California, US
Price: US$ 125 million
This 30-room Monterey Colonial mansion, designed in 1929 by American architect Reginald Johnson, is surrounded by 237 acres of land in one of America’s most sought-after addresses; Montecito, Santa Barbara. After 100 years the Jackson family estate, with ten residential cottages, horse paddocks and arenas, and 100 acres of cultivated orchards, is finally changing hands. Oak-paneled walls in the formal room, imported from the Jackson’s Manor House in England, are still intact, as is the English whisky pub with a secret door. The house is built on two natural terraces with views down the valley, across the estate and over the Pacific.
5. One Hyde Park, London, UK
Price: US$ 103 million
The Candy brothers launched this billion-dollar complex mid-way through the recession. Occupying an entire floor, this apartment divides into two wings, known as “The City” and “The Park”. A 65m hallway connects both wings. The Mandarin Oriental hotel provides prospective owners with a 24-hour hotel concierge, spa and recreation facilities, parking and valet, use of a private wine cellar and room service.
6. 17 The Sherry-Netherland, New York, US
Price:US$ 95 million
Built in 1927, The Sherry-Netherland in Manhattan is a luxury residential hotel co-op with apartments for sale. Apartment 17 occupies an entire floor with seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms and a huge terrace overlooking Central Park and downtown Manhattan. Would-be owners have access to all the hotel amenities, including room service from the Harry Cipriani restaurant downstairs. Caveat emptor: the hotel requires up to US$60,000 of maintenance fees — per month.
7. The Penthouse at The Pierre Hotel, New York, US
Price: US$ 95 million
Once owned by Martin Zweig, a financial analyst who famously predicted the stock-market crash of 1987, this palatial Manhattan penthouse sprawls over three floors. But even if you’ve got a spare US$95 million, interested buyers must be first vetted by the hotel committee to ensure they are up to par. With 16 bedrooms, a grand salon (formerly the Pierre ballroom) and 360-degree views over Manhattan, this has justifiably been called the most spectacular penthouse in the world.
8. Du Parc Penthouse, Geneva, Switzerland
Price: US$ 94 million
On the shores of Lake Geneva, surrounded by the Dents du Midi mountain range in the UNESCO-protected vineyards of the Lavaux, is the former Palace Mont-Pelerin. This was renovated into 24 über-modern apartments, the penthouse of which costs US$94 million. A key to one of these apartments gives you lifetime membership for the Lavaux Golf Club, a 10-year membership for the Mirador Country Club and the services of lifestyle group Quintessentially for one year. Kempinski Hotel services, the use of a Rolls-Royce, butler, wine cellar, Davidoff cigar lounge and Givenchy Spa come included in the price tag.
9. Private Island Paradise, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
Price:US$ 85 million
This house comes with its own private island and with space for 22 guests and 29 staff; it’s the place to relax in the hands of others. A self-generating power source, fuel, telecommunications system and a large vegetable garden make the house almost entirely self-sufficient. On top of this it is only a one-hour flight from Palm Beach and completely tax-free, so, if you’re a tax exile with green fingers it might well be a perfect match.
10. Lyndhurst Road Mansion, London, UK
Price: US$ 77 million
The front door of this North London redbrick mansion opens to a grand entrance hall with an overhanging chandelier, balustrade and marble fireplace. The decor is bleeding-edge “nouveau”, with every conceivable luxury, including indoor pools, steam rooms and a cinema. Upstairs, the master bedroom with adjoined dressing room has a large half-moon-shaped window, which opens up to a view down the garden and across London.
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