There are many luxurious places around the world. Most of these places, surprisingly, belong to private owners. We might think our houses look cool (which we should) and that there’s no place like home… But would you mind living in one of these?
Have a look at our small list of the world’s most luxurious mansions:
Henley Mansion, Berkshire, England
This mansion is owned by a Russian billionaire who paid around 130 million pounds for it. Its back sits on Thames River with amazing views, and it has two golf courses, has a helipad, spa complex, home cinema and high-tech security system. The structure is 300 years old and holds numerous stories of it past, some of which are of hauntings! The grounds are said to be haunted by the ghost of Mary Blandy, who was accused of poisoning her father in 1752 – but I guess we could all live perfectly without that “extra”
Updown Court, Surrey, England
Worth at least $150 million today, the Updown Court is one of most significant private homes in the UK. It shares the neighborhood with Elton John and the Queen of England and Brian May, Queen band guitarrist and proves if you can afford to, you can live as extravagant as a royal.
The neo-classical California-style mansion was built in 2002 on the site of an earlier property which was owned during the 1970s by Prince Sami Gayed of Egypt. The house, which has 24 bedrooms and 23 bathrooms, has been built with some of the world’s rarest materials – mainly Italian marble. The mansion has a 50-seat cinema, a two-lane bowling alley, a gymnasium, a squash court, a flood-lit tennis court, a lake, a wine cellar for 3,000 bottles and a ‘panic room’.
Woolworth Mansion, New York, NY
The palatial estate has a history dating back to 1916, when retail mogul Frank Woolworth built it for his daughter, Helena McCann. It is surrounded by its two “sister” buildings, also built by Woolworth for his other daughters.
According to the listing, the neo-French Renaissance mansion features 20 rooms, including a 50-person dining room, a 35-foot-wide library, a gym and a staff suite. Some other details worth knowing: It has 18,000 square feet of floorspace divided among seven floors, and it comes equipped with three kitchens, an elevator and 14-foot ceilings.
Tranquility, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Valued at $100 million this 210-acre property was built from scratch by the owner, Joel Horowitz, the co-founder of Tommy Hilfiger. There are eight buildings and 38,000 square feet of living space. It has a 3,500-bottle wine cellar, an indoor swimming pool and atrium, as well as a 19-seat movie theater. It is the third most expensive house on the market in the U.S This Northern European mountain home styling is fabulous!
Other buildings include the guest residence, the art studio, boathouse pavilion, gymnasium, horse stables, and a separate residence quarters for staff. the grounds offer lavish gardens and 2 over-the-water par 3 golf holes.
Maison de L’Amitie, Palm Beach, Florida
In 2004, Donald Trump bought Maison de L’Amitie. He’s refurbished the oceanfront property that also has a 100-foot swimming pool surrounded by gardens. It’s been valued at $125 million and obviously opulent!
The sprawling oceanfront 60,000-square foot compound, bought by Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2008, includes diamond and gold fixtures and a nearly 50 car garage.
The house has marble floors, bullet-proof windows, mahogany doors, giant skylights and a full-sized ballroom. There were seven bedrooms with 18-foot ceiling, and a working art gallery in one of the wings.
Albemarle House, Charlottesville, Virginia
Albemarle House is one of the most important estates built in the U.S. after the Civil War. It consists of 300 acres in Charlottesville Virginia and it’s neighbors to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Albemarle House is over 23,000 square feet of neo-Georgian opulence. With 45 rooms, a pool complex, heliport, and its own private chapel, the 98-acre estate is the real estate listing featured on the cover of the current edition of a local real estate mag.
Hala Ranch, Aspen, Colorado
Hala Ranch, is a 95-acre estate built in 1991 for the family of Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the former ambassador to the U.S. from Saudi Arabia. It’s valued $135 million and is currently the third most expensive home on the market in the United States.
The estate has its own wastewater treatment plant and a mechanical shop with its own gasoline pumps and car wash. Cross-country ski trails are maintained throughout the property. The centerpiece lodge of the estate is larger than the White House. It is built in a rustic style, with massive timber beams and stone columns, and contains 15 bedrooms, all with patios, and 16 bathrooms. There is also an interior elevator. The decoration of the interior features mahogany wood and bronze hardware, as well as stained glass windows and a wood-burning fireplace. The master wing has a room set aside for grooming, while guest rooms open onto a courtyard with a reflecting pool and waterfall.
Other amenities of the estate include a commercial kitchen, a fishing pond, a racquetball court, a sophisticated security system, heated hay barn and stables, steam room, a swimming pool, and a tennis court.
Waterfront Estate, Istanbul, Turkey
Inside the historic house there are a total of 7 bedrooms and 6 large bathrooms. There are 3 floors in the building, each offering 300m2 of living area, to present a total of 900m2 living area for the whole property. All bedrooms have luxury en-suite bathrooms and great sea views over the Bosporus Sea.
Outside there is a delightful 1,500m2 private garden with supreme views over the surrounding areas and the Bosporus. There is a pier by the waterfront and a section where you can easily moor a private boat or yacht in Istanbul. All in all, this is one of the best Yali real estates we have ever come across in Istanbul. Found on the European side of Istanbul, complete with all you will need and great transport links around the city, you will simply love this historic house.
Villa La Palladiana, France
Located in Cap d’Ail, this sea facing property is a French Riviera paradise offering numerous terraces and balconies upon which to look out over Cap Ferrat. Each of the home’s nine suites includes a bathroom.
The Villa also has an outdoor pool and indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center and is valued at $76 million. It’s a peaceful retreat for the lucky owner.
Fleur De Lys, Beverly Hills CA
This French inspired mansion was listed for sale at $125 million. It’s 45,000-square-feet and sits on five acres of land. has twelve bedrooms, fifteen baths, a fifty-seat theater, a ballroom, a gym, a pool house, a 1,200-metre running track, a tennis court and a guest house. There is a 200-yard driveway from the gate to the main house.The interior has marble, gold-embossed leather walls and gold-leaf crowned moldings.
So here it is, folks, just a small list of the best and most luxurious (and expensive) mansions around the world. Stay tuned for more posts and don’t forget to share with your friends who also love design and luxury!