WORLDWIDE / BY LUXURY COLUMNIST
They say a man’s home is his castle, and in the case of these expensive houses that is certainly true! Discover the biggest mansion in the world and other spectacular private homes around the world in this article.
The Biggest Mansion in the World
If money is no object, these gigantic homes might well appeal. Having said that, some of them are not all that attractive, considering the amount of money that has gone into their construction.
What these luxurious homes have in common are their high-end amenities and features like infinity pools and golf courses. Read on to discover the largest and most expensive mansions in the world.
We haven’t included large former mansions such as Oheka Castle, Monticello and Hearst Castle which are now hotels and museums. Most of the big mansions here are still used as homes, apart from one which is currently abandoned.
Villa Leopolda, France
One of the most expensive houses on the French Riviera, Villa Leopolda was originally commissioned by King Leopold II of Belgium for his mistress Caroline Lacroix. The lavish property was then owned by Gianni and Marella Agnelli before being sold to the late Edmond Safra and his wife Lily.
Also known as La Leopolda, this magnificent house is set in 18 acres of land. The property has panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
If the elegant villa looks familiar, that’s because it featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie To Catch a Thief. There are 14 bathrooms and 11 bedrooms.
Location: Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
Size: 29,000 square feet
Value: around $750 million
Built: 1902
Architect: Ogden Codman Jr.
Owner: Lily Safra
Property Features: helipad, outdoor kitchen, commercial sized greenhouse, ornate botanical gardens
14. Palazzo di Amore
Beverly Hills is home to some of the most luxurious homes in the world, and one of the most magnificent is Palazzo di Amore. Built in 2005, this 25,000 square foot estate sits on a sprawling estate of twenty five acres.
The palatial mansion features 12 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a ballroom with DJ booth, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Outside, guests can enjoy the lush lawns, gardens, and infinity pool with room for 150 people. But the real showstopper is the view: overlooking Beverly Hills and the Los Angeles skyline.
Location: Lania Lane, Beverly Hills, United States
Size: 53,000 square feet
Value: $195 million
Built: 2002
Architect: Bob Ray Offenhauser
Owner: Jeff Greene
Property features: two-lane bowling alley, 24-car garage, vineyard and wine cellar, spa and 50-seat movie theater.
13. The Manor
Also known as Spelling Manor, as it was previously owned by TV producer Aaron Spelling, this huge mansion was then bought by Petra Ecclestone. The current owner is unknown.
Larger than the White House and 21 times the size of an average American home, The Manor is next door to the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills.
The property stands on the former site of Bing Crosby’s home, which was torn down to build it. The neighbors weren’t pleased about the scale of the house or the disruption caused by people trying to catch a glimpse of it.
Location: Mapleton Drive, Los Angeles, United States
Size: 56,500 square feet
Value: $119.5 million
Built: 1988
Architect: James Langenheim & Associates
Owner: Unknown
Property Features: Beauty salon, barber shop, 7,500 square feet master suite, two-lane bowling alley, twin butterfly staircase.
