The 13 most expensive houses in the world

The 13 most expensive houses in the world

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 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 Wood side, 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 More, United States

Beverly Hills-based Palazzo di More 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 Kingdom

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