Move over, Trump – Palm Beach is getting a new high-profile property and it's set to outshine Mar-a-Lago. Billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin has started building what he claims will be the most expensive home on the planet. When finished, the palatial South Florida pad will be worth an estimated £822 million ($1bn) and will stand on a 7.5-acre portion of the staggering 27 acres of prime beachfront real estate Griffin has bought up over the years. Let's find out more about the man behind the grand plan and take a peek inside his future dream home...
Miami native Kenneth Griffin is the founder of Citadel LLC, a hedge fund that manages more than £51 billion ($62bn) in assets. Griffin reportedly began trading in 1987 from his Harvard dorm room. Citadel has become the most successful hedge fund ever after making £13 billion ($16bn) in 2022. With a personal fortune of £27.7 billion ($33.7bn), it's no wonder that Griffin can afford to splash a paltry billion on his new digs. He's also a big political donor, having contributed chunks of money to the GOP over the years, including £4.1 million ($5m) to Ron DeSantis in 2021. However, he snubbed Trump during the 2016 election, donating instead to his Republican opponents, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush and Scott Walker. So he may not be welcome for cocktails at nearby Mar-a-Lago anytime soon...
Griffin's latest project has been a long time in the pipeline. In order to make way for his billion-dollar vision, which can be seen here in a render taken from his planning application, the financier has quietly accumulated nine plots along the stretch of Palm Beach's South Ocean Boulevard known as 'Billionaire's Row,' according to the New York Post. In 2012, Griffin-linked companies bought four adjacent properties, giving him 560 feet of pristine oceanfront, adding a fifth property in 2015. He snapped up another lot in 2017 for £70 million ($85m), and an additional two-acre plot in 2018. 2019 saw the mogul shell out more than £168 million ($204m) for two more parcels. All in all, Griffin is said to have spent around £370 million ($450m) on the land, plus fees and the cost of razing existing structures on the lots.
In 2022, the town of Palm Beach granted Griffin permission to build a property for his mother, family and guests on the northern end of his huge acreage, while documents have recently been submitted seeking approval for a property on the southern end of the estate too. As you can see, building work is already underway on the vast enterprise and Griffin is said to have set aside hundreds of millions for the build. “If he spent nearly half a billion to buy up acres of land in Palm Beach over the last decade and is expected to spend $150 million more to build an entirely new home, that piece of property is worth at least $1 billion now,” one industry insider told the New York Post.
The estate will include a contemporary-style, stone-clad mansion with an 'event lawn' leading to this grand swimming pool, which will stretch up to a grand glass-fronted atrium with views out over the Atlantic Ocean. The renders and plans show several perfectly landscaped gardens, apparently designed by the Stoev landscape architecture practice, which will wrap around the buildings, protecting the owner's privacy as well as providing lush surroundings to enjoy.
This render is said to show one of the spa rooms in the complex, giving a clear idea of just how luxurious this new estate will be. In addition to the main house, there will also be a guest house and caretaker's cottage. We can only imagine how many staff Griffin will need to employ to keep this enormous estate running.
Standing just a quarter of a mile south of Mar-a-Lago, the entire 27-acre estate is forecast to outshine its scandal-hit neighbour, which sprawls across 20 acres. Although Griffin recently relocated his family – and his business – to Miami, it's said that he plans to retire to this mega-estate. A spokesperson for Griffin told the New York Post that the extraordinary value of his new home is thanks to Florida's political policies: “The vast majority of the properties Ken owns are in South Florida. Palm Beach real estate is among the most valuable in the world because of the pro-growth and pro-business policies voted for by the citizens of Florida.” Whatever the reason, we can't wait to see what this extraordinary home grows into...
Read on to tour the world's most expensive homes currently for sale...
With nine-figure price tags guaranteed to make your jaw drop, the world's most costly residential properties are the ultimate billionaire playgrounds – millionaires need not apply. From an abandoned mansion in London that's bigger than a football pitch to Dubai's biggest mansion covered in 700,000 sheets of gold leaf, get set for a luxury overload and feast your eyes on the most expensive homes that money can buy...
Known as Villa Versailles, this spectacular home in the Ticino region of Switzerland is located in what the listing describes as the “most exclusive area” of Lugano, and offers breathtaking views out across Lake Lugano. The 16,328-square-foot property boasts six bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, as well as spectacular manicured gardens, patios and terraces. Designed for entertaining on a spectacular scale, this magnificent home is built to impress even the most discerning guests.
The Greek Revival-style property has a classical exterior complete with two tiers of white columns, large windows and even a rotunda overlooking the back gardens and the lake. Inside, however, the property is more reminiscent of a French château, with a sweeping grand staircase, polished marble floors, crystal chandeliers, moulded walls and coffered ceilings.
The neo-classical touches continue throughout the interior, with crystal chandeliers, gilded panelling and fine antique furniture running throughout the communal spaces, which include an opulent living room, formal dining room, lounge and chef’s kitchen. Guests and residents can traverse the ground floor through marble-column lined hallways, which are reminiscent of those in a library or museum, and add a heightened sense of grandeur to the home.
The home’s listing provides little information about the property’s amenities and indicates that the price is only available on request, indicating that the target audience for the listing is an elite subsection of potential buyers. Sandwiched in as it is between Switzerland and Italy, the home’s Lugano lakeside location is unquestionably sought after.
Marbella in Málaga, Spain has long been considered one of the world’s top holiday locations, with gorgeous beaches, beautiful weather and plenty of upscale bars, restaurants, and shopping destinations. With 13 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and more than 64,500 square feet of space across three storeys, this magnificent property offers buyers a host of luxury features that might tempt them to stay home – as you would hope for £56 million ($68m).
The home’s first floor offers ample space for entertaining, with elegant formal dining and living rooms, the latter with two open marble fireplaces, a more casual family room and a spacious terrace area perfectly designed for dining al fresco, with a fully equipped barbecue zone with a Josper oven and a wood-fired pizza oven. Other cooking facilities include a primary gourmet kitchen and a secondary staff kitchen for catering larger events.
Up a sweeping double staircase, the home’s master bedroom features two separate his-and-hers ensuites and walk-in closets, as well as a private terrace with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. Guests will also be able to enjoy a slice of luxury in one of the seven additional guest suites, each equipped with its own ensuite, walk-in closet, lounge area and terrace. The home is also far from short on entertainment but to discover its host of high-end amenities, we’ll have to move into the basement...
The property’s subterranean level is kitted out with a vast array of features to keep both guests and residents satisfied. These include a fully equipped industrial kitchen, a 21-seat cinema room, a spa area with a heated indoor wave pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, gym and beauty salon. There's also a two-lane bowling alley, a games room with a billiard table, foosball and air hockey and a children’s play area. For the adults, there are two conditioned wine cellars for red and white wines along with a tasting area and a luxurious Italian wood bar.
This striking home is certainly fit for royalty. Inspired by Baroque and Rococo architecture, the mesmerising mansion sits on 2.7 acres of land in the town of Caesarea in Israel and benefits from breathtaking views across the Mediterranean Sea. Originally listed for £205 million ($250m), the price was eventually dropped by £82 million ($100m) to the slightly more reasonable £89 million ($109m). It was more recently cut again to £74 million ($89.9m), we assume because it failed to attract a buyer.
As expected, the incredible home has a number of high-end amenities including a private spa, fitness room and an indoor pool, to name just a few. Heading upstairs, the new owners will find five bedrooms and 15 bathrooms. The sprawling master suite boasts not one, but two ensuite bathrooms, two walk-in wardrobes and two dressing areas.
Inside, the one-of-a-kind home is nothing short of amazing with natural marble and onyx mosaics, 14-karat-gold mouldings, silk carpets and custom-made furnishings. With over 63,000 square feet of living space, the grand hallway sets the tone for the rest of the interior with crystal chandeliers and grand marble columns.
Outside, the grounds are a world of their own, offering landscaped gardens, two fountains with Roman sculptures and an outdoor pool with a built-in audio system and outdoor television. Additional amenities include a wine room, billiard hall, a 4K movie theatre and eco-friendly energy-saving systems.
If you can stomach the guide price of $100 million (£82m), this spectacular penthouse in a Barangaroo high rise truly lets you feel like you’re sitting on top of the world. Spanning 8,611 square feet, the home boasts 360-degree views of Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the north, the Blue Mountains to the west, the Sydney Opera House and Pacific Ocean in the east and Darling Harbour to the south.
The penthouse offers six bedrooms and six bathrooms, as well as a generously proportioned, ultra-modern open-plan living area. In the lounge, a black marble freestanding fireplace provides an elegant focal point, while a statement light fixture hangs dramatically over the dining table. With nearly 20-foot-tall floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the penthouse, the entire space feels bright, airy and incredibly luxurious, with accents of black marble and chrome throughout creating a sleek and unified finish.
Up an open staircase (or a short journey in the private elevator), the home’s master bedroom boasts twin walk-in closets, twin rain showers, a steam room, a gym, a private plunge pool, an office and a cinema room. The additional bedrooms all include their own ensuite bathrooms, and three sheltered balconies offer guests unparalleled views of the surrounding seascape. The property certainly takes living the high life to a whole new level!
The penthouse is part of the Crown Sydney, a sculptural luxury hotel designed by award-winning architect WilkinsonEyre. The hotel offers the new owner a range of luxury hotel services including a 24-hour concierge, valet parking, housekeeping and in-room dining from Crown's famous chefs. Of course, residents also have access to the hotel's resort facilities which include two pools, one a private residents' pool with serviced cabanas, a state-of-the-art gym, a six-star day spa and a tennis court.
Listed with Landscope for HK$980 million, which equates to around £102 million ($125m), this exquisite four-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom townhouse is located in a gated community that overlooks the water. The property spans a total of 8,300 square feet – a mammoth size for a residential property in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
As well as several elegant high-ceilinged reception rooms, the fine townhouse features other billionaire-worthy essentials such as dressing rooms and dream walk-in wardrobes, with plenty of space for couture clothing and shoes. There's also on-site staff quarters, as well as a covered garage for the owner's fleet of supercars.
Known as Palais Vénitien, this fabulous estate is located moments from the enticing coastline of Cannes, a glistening resort town on the French Riviera, famed for its international film festival. Listed with Knight Frank for £105 million ($127m), the pad was recently redesigned by the interior experts at COGEMAD, resulting in dramatic living spaces overflowing with high-end fixtures.
The historic estate is one of the finest in the region and its impressive interior stretches a staggering 32,291 square feet. Every single room is completely lavish. There are sprawling formal living areas (eight to be exact), dining spaces and sleeping quarters. In fact, there are a total of nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms, as well as a seriously huge kitchen that could have been plucked from a top restaurant.
From monumental columns and exquisite mouldings to gilded Venetian details and crystal chandeliers, this mansion reflects the very best of traditional French design. Yet there are plenty of modern elements in this home, too. For example, the mammoth, luxurious basement is akin to a nightclub, with its dancefloor, bar, velvet seating and professional lighting.
Outside, things are just as magical. The garden is home to almost eight acres of terraced grounds that have been meticulously crafted. There's a huge swimming pool, a sunbathing deck, tennis court, lake and secluded woodland. How's that for awe-inspiring?
In a class of its own, this luxury estate in the prestigious area of Southampton, New York doesn't disappoint. On the market with Bespoke Real Estate for a staggering £110 million ($135m), the Hamptons beach house sits on an eight-acre estate and sits uniquely on two waterfronts, the Atlantic Ocean and Shinnecock Bay.
The beautiful beach house spans over 15,500 square feet of beautiful living space and boasts a gym, a TV room with a bar and a kitchen worthy of a five-star chef. The sun-drenched rooms feature wood flooring and custom millwork throughout, as well as three fireplaces.
There are 11 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms spread over the home, but the sprawling master suite is the home's pièce de résistance. The spacious room features a private terrace with oceanfront views, a hot tub and even a home office. Just imagine looking out over those stunning landscapes – not a bad work setup!
Heading outside, the grounds are just as impressive as the interior. A caretaker's cottage, which would also make the perfect guesthouse, sits alongside a 70-foot heated swimming pool, while for sports lovers, the grounds also offer a tennis court and basketball court. Now that's what we call the ultimate beach retreat!
It's no secret that Malibu, California, is home to many of America's most expensive zip codes, but this extravagant estate takes things to new extremes. On the market with Westside Estate Agency for a colossal £160 million ($195m), the beachfront mansion is no ordinary home.
For starters, it sits on five acres of land in one of the most beautiful coves in the country and the house itself extends more than 25,000 square feet. The pad was completed in 2002, after four decades, and designed by Robert AM Stern to reflect the old-world estates in Provence and Tuscany. The beautiful stone house is surrounded by enchanting landscaped grounds with sweeping ocean views, while the home's rooms are awash with deluxe fixtures and modern interior design.
As well as spacious, light-filled lounges and formal zones for hosting, 16 bedrooms and 22 bathrooms, the pad is also kitted out with gorgeous outdoor living spaces for kicking back and enjoying the Californian climate. From vaulted and beamed ceilings to arched windows, hardwood floors and exposed stone elements, this high-end home is utterly flawless.
But that isn't all. The compound contains nine structures in total, including a gym, a beach cottage, numerous guest houses, an office and a secret underground tunnel that connects the swimming pool with a huge movie theatre. There’s even a private elevator that takes the lucky owner down to their own strip of sand. Perhaps that's why this lavish residence comes with such a staggering price tag.
Sitting 1,416 feet above Manhattan, the luxurious penthouse inside Central Park Tower, which is nearly as tall as the Empire State Building, is not only the highest home in the world, but among America’s most expensive. First listed with an asking price of £205 million ($250m), the three-storey pad has now been slashed to £160 million ($195m). The apartment boasts spectacular living spaces, dramatic architectural features and truly awe-inspiring views across the city. Let's head inside...
Aptly named The One Above All Else, the pad is located seconds from Central Park on 57th Street, which has become known as Billionaires' Row. Well, this apartment certainly explains why. It spans a staggering 17,545 square feet and its living spaces include a sprawling gallery reception room, with a soaring 27-foot ceiling and glass curtain walls. There's a nearly 2,000-square-foot private ballroom – the highest in the world – and a 1,500-square-foot grand salon.
The one-of-a-kind property was designed by esteemed architect, Adrian Smith, who gave us the world’s tallest structure, Burj Khalifa – as well as the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago. Each floor is connected by a private elevator and each has its own separate entry point, in case the owner doesn't fancy taking the stairs. The plush apartment has two kitchens, seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, three powder rooms, an observatory, a library and media room.
There's also an amazing private garden high above the city. The deck spans 1,433 square feet and boasts an alfresco kitchen, lawn, sitting area and fireplace. Plus, residents of this building get to enjoy access to a state-of-the-art gym, an indoor swimming pool, a private park, a luxe screening room and New York’s most elevated private club, 100th Floor.
With a list price of £167 million ($204m), Dubai’s ‘Marble Palace’ is the most expensive private home in the city. The property sits in the ultra-exclusive neighbourhood of Emirates Hills – also known as the Beverly Hills of Dubai – and with the main house coming in at 60,000 square feet, it is one of the largest homes in the area.
Inspired by the Palace of Versailles and the Belle Epoque mansions of Paris, the home’s interiors are dominated by white marble and gilded decoration on a mind-blowing scale. According to the listing agent Luxhabitat Sotheby’s International Realty, 70 artisans applied 700,000 sheets of gold leaf to create the effect. Further inspiration for the home’s interior design was drawn from the High Renaissance and Baroque periods, and the home is lavishly furnished with rich fabrics, statues, fountains and highly polished woodwork.
Understandably, given the level of detail and artistry on display, the property took 12 years to complete and while it was finished in 2018, has just been brought to the market for the first time. The property boasts five generously proportioned bedrooms, including a 4,000-square-foot master suite, as well as 19 bathrooms. Additional staff quarters are capable of sleeping up to 25 people, and there is room to add even more bedrooms, should they be required.
Other opulent architectural details throughout the home include a 45-foot Parisian-style dome, which took more than two and a half years to complete and features hand-carved glass completed by 17 French artisans, as well as an 80,000-gallon coral reef aquarium that dominates the dining room, alongside the precious stone and crystal dining table. If you’re looking for a slightly more private space to relax, you might also enjoy the mother-of-pearl indoor pool room or the 24-karat gold Jacuzzi. While there doesn't appear to be a public listing for the property, there's also no word on the extraordinary palace being sold. Has it been quietly snapped up – or is it still available for the right buyer? Watch this space...
This palatial abandoned mansion is situated in the heart of one of London's most exclusive neighbourhoods, Knightsbridge. Located just minutes from Hyde Park and Harrods department store, 2-8a Rutland Gate is thought to be quietly for sale for around a whopping £200 million ($243m), according to The Guardian.
Considered to be one of the UK’s most expensive homes ever, the 45-room private palace was originally built as four grand family homes in the 1830s, before it was converted into one huge mansion in the 1980s. The pad was owned by Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia until he passed away in 2011. It was then sold in 2020 to a Chinese billionaire for around £210 million ($255m), but clearly the investor has had second thoughts.
Perhaps this is because the seven-storey, 62,000-square-foot mega-mansion – which makes it bigger than a football pitch – needs extensive renovation works inside and out. According to The Times, the project will likely cost the new owner in the region of £200 million ($243m).
The house is said to have 116 bulletproof windows, a swimming pool, underground parking, several lifts and a luxurious interior created by French designer, Alberto Pinto. In fact, many of the rooms are decorated with gold leaf, including this plush bathroom. Planning permission has already been granted to redevelop the place and the submitted plans show the completed pad will have a triple-height ballroom and a two-level basement. If finished, The Guardian reports that the home could be worth £500 million ($608m).
Nestled on the waterfront in the midst of London's Regent's Park, this magnificent mansion occupies one of the most sought-after locations in the UK capital. The Regency-era estate was hailed as "one of the most desirable private homes in London" by architectural scholar Guy Williams, and if rumours are to be believed, it certainly has a price tag befitting of that moniker. According to The Telegraph, the sprawling property, known as The Holme, is now up for sale for over £300 million ($365m), though conflicting reports claim the asking price is from £250 million ($305m). As of yet, the listing has not been made public.
Dating back to 1818, The Holme was built by James Burton, a developer famed for his collaborations with the acclaimed architect John Nash, the mastermind behind Regent's Park. Constructed as the family seat of the Burtons, the house was appropriately designed by James' son, Decimus Burton. The three-storey palatial property is staggering in scale, featuring an ornate columned entrance, 40 bedrooms and a basement. Touted as London's most valuable house, it's no surprise that this rare real estate opportunity comes at such a hefty cost.
The Holme eventually passed from the Burton family and was leased for a time by Bedford College, before reverting to a private residence once more. The home was reportedly remodelled in 1935 by American architect Paul Phipps, though the revamp was said to remain faithful to Burton's vision. An icon of the capital, the mansion has been a fond fixture on the lake for centuries and has played host to an array of prominent figures. German-American actress Marlene Dietrich is pictured here giving a speech outside the house as part of a charity event in July 1954.
While the house has been a private retreat in recent years, the public has occasionally been given access to its beautifully manicured grounds as part of the UK's National Garden Scheme. The estate's pristine four acres were designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe and include the grand terrace, the rose garden and extensive shrubberies. If The Holme was snapped up for its staggering reported asking price, it would claim the title of the most expensive home sold in London.
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