10. Taohuayuan — Suzhou, China; 72,441 square feet
Credit: Jiangsu, China
At number ten, we have a mansion with an impressive estate of 72,441 sq. feet with a beautiful lake view, a massive swimming pool, and a pond. The design of the estate is inspired by the Classical Gardens of Suzhou – ancient gardens which incorporate an amazing topography of water, stones, and plants – and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are located in the same city as Taohuayuan. The Taohuayuan House and its surrounding area are popular because the house was built using Feng-Shui principles.
The interior design comprises 32 bathrooms and bedrooms, in addition to the wine cellar. When it first went up for sale in 2016, it was speculated to be the most expensive home in mainland China, according to Mansion Global. Suzhou’s skyline, solitude, curved roofs, and other traditional architectural features were all included in the property’s $154 million market value.
- Location: China
- Size: 72, 441 square feet
- Cost: around $154 million
- Completed In: 2016
- Architect: Sunac China along with Xiangshanbang Traditional Architectural and Building Skills.
- Owned By: Not bought yet.
- Highlights: Ornate gardens, natural topography, traditional architecture.
9. Villa Leopolda – The French Riviera, 80,000 square feet
Villa Leopolda, one of the costliest mansions on the French Riviera, was built for the mistress of King Leopold II of Belgium, Caroline Lacroix. Gianni and Marella Agnelli held the magnificent mansion until it was sold to the late Edmond Safra and his wife Lily.
This lovely palace, also known as La Leopolda, sits on 18 acres of land. The property offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. If the lovely home looks familiar, it’s because it appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic To Catch a Thief. There are 11 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms in all.
- Location: Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
- Size: 80,000 square feet
- Cost: around $750 million
- Completed In: 1902
- Architect: Ogden Codman Jr.
- Owned By: Lily Safra
- Highlights: helipad, outdoor kitchen, commercial-sized greenhouse, ornate botanical gardens
8. Modern Versailles – Windermere, Florida; 90,000 square feet
This pricey Florida mansion is not to be mistaken with the historic Palace of Versailles in Paris, France. The property, which is still under development, is the idea of David and Jackie Siegel.
The Siegels made their wealth in timeshares and chose to build this massive home, which is featured in the documentary Queen of Versailles. They’ve since remarked, notably, “We’re sorry we ever started.” But we’ve invested $50 million in it, so it has to be completed.”
When completed, this luxury house will include 32 bathrooms, 11 kitchens, and a 30-car garage. There will also be two elevators, one of which will be made of gold.
- Location: Lake Butler Sound, Windermere, Florida, USA
- Size: 85,000 square feet
- Cost: $100 million
- Completed In: expected to be completed in 2022
- Owned By: Jacqueline and David Siegel
- Highlights: bowling alley, spa, wine cellar, secret speakeasy, movie theater, 6 pools including an infinity pool, night club.
6. Witanhurst – London, England, 90,000 square feet
This Grade II listed structure is the UK’s second-largest home after Buckingham Palace. This Georgian Revival-style Grade II listed building has been extensively restored.
A 40,000-square-foot basement and an orangery have been added. Witanhurst previously appeared on the BBC talent show Fame Academy.
There are a total of 65 rooms, including 25 bedrooms and a 70-foot ballroom. This room has ornate timber wall panels and an oak floor.
- Location: Highgate, London
- Size: 90,000 square feet
- Cost: $450 million
- Completed In: 1913
- Architect: George Hubbard
- Owned By: Safran Holdings
- Highlights: movie theatre, sauna, massage parlor, 25-car garage
5. The One – Bel Air, California, 100,000 square feet
Nile Niami, a film director and real estate developer, has boasted about his 100,000-square-foot Bel Air, California, home, The One, although the entire amount is really made up of a 73,934-square-foot main house and several surrounding structures. Of course, roughly 74,000 is nothing to laugh at. For instance, the White House is just a little under 55,000 square feet, while the 115-room Hearst Castle stands at a comparatively modest 68,500 sq. feet.
For $340 million, the new owner will be able to boast about living next door to Jennifer Aniston. They can also play bowling and feed the ceiling jellyfish while exploring the house’s 20 bedrooms and 30 bathrooms. Despite several appeals, the city denied Niami’s request for a third kitchen for catered events. Neighbors appear to be opposed to the existence of a “party house” in the neighborhood. When inviting friends to sample the wine cellar or relax in the nightclub, the new owner will just have to limit the guest list.
- Location: California, USA
- Size: 100,000 square feet
- Cost: $340 million
- Completed In: Consruction completed in 2021.
- Architect: Paul McClean
- Owned By: Nile Niami
- Highlights: Futuristic style, extensive facilities: home theatre, a beauty salon, indoor swimming pool with lounging decks 50-car garage, a four-lane bowling alley, Skydeck with a putting green.
4. Safra Mansion, Brazil
Despite the fact that the late Joseph Safra and his wife Vicky had the Safra Mansion built for them, Joseph regretted having such a huge property. “If I could go back in time,” he once said, “I wouldn’t have built such a large house.”
There are few photographs of Mansao Safra, which is located in the affluent Morumbi neighborhood of Sao Paulo. It is the largest mansion in Sao Paulo and is protected by strong security gates.
- Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Size: 117,000 square feet
- Cost: Unknown
- Owned By: Vicky Safra
- Highlights: Swimming pool, 130 rooms
3. Biltmore Estate – Asheville, North Carolina; 178,926 square feet
The Biltmore Estate, one of the most beautiful historic mansions in America, is believed to be the biggest private property in the United States. The mansion includes 250 rooms and is set on 8,000 acres. There are 43 bathrooms, 34 bedrooms, three kitchens, and 65 fireplaces in this home. The chateau, designed in the French Renaissance style, has numerous secret chambers. The butler’s pantry is accessible through a concealed entrance in the Breakfast Room. The library contains a hidden room named The Den, as well as an underground passage beneath the property.
- Location: Asheville, North Carolina, United States
- Size: 175,000 square feet
- Cost: $157 million
- Completed In: 1889
- Architect: Richard Morris Hunt
- Owned By: The Biltmore Company
- Highlights: winery, banquet hall, bowling alley, indoor pool
2. Antilia – Mumbai, India; 400,000 square feet
This 500-foot-tall 27-story property is home to Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, and his family. The massive home resembles a tower. On the roof, there is a helipad and nine high-speed elevators. There are 600 employees here! Antilia is located on Altamount Road, Mumbai’s most posh street. The building is built to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8 on the Richter scale.
- Location: Mumbai, India
- Size: 400,000 square feet
- Cost: roughly $2 billion
- Completed In: 2010
- Architect: Perkins and Will
- Owned By: Mukesh Ambani
Highlights: snow room, temple, rooftop helipad, an ice cream parlor, 50 seat movie theater, ballroom, 168 car garage, and health spa.
1. Istana Nurul Iman Palace – Brunei; 2.15 million square feet
Istana Nurul Iman Palace is the world’s largest house, with 1,788 rooms, a mosque, and 257 bathrooms. It was created by Leonardo Locsin and is also known as The Light of Faith Palace. The gold domes and arched ceilings of the palace represent a fusion of Malay and Islamic architecture. This is a private residence as well as a venue for entertaining foreign dignitaries. During the three days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, you can visit the palace. Guests are provided meals and have the option of queuing to meet the Sultan or his wife.
- Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
- Size: 2.15 million square feet
- Cost: estimated at
- Completed In: 1984
- Architect: Leonardo V. Locsin.
- Owned By: The Sultan of Brunei
- Highlights: air-conditioned stables with space for 200 polo ponies, 5 swimming pools, a 110 car garage, mosque
Summary:
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 biggest houses in the world:
- Taohuayuan — Suzhou, China; 72,441 square feet
- La Reverie – Palm Beach, Florida; 84,626 square feet
- Modern Versailles – Windermere, Florida; 90,000 square feet
- Witanhurst – London, England; 90,000 square feet
- Villa Leopolda – The French Riviera; 80,000 square feet
- The One – Bel Air, California; 100,000 square feet
- Safra Mansion – Sao Paulo, Brazil; 117,000 square feet
- Biltmore Estate – Asheville, North Carolina; 178,926 square feet
- Antilia – Mumbai, India; 400,000 square feet
- Istana Nurul Iman Palace – Brunei; 2.15 million square feet
Recommended Reads:
