Forbe’s always provides us with great rankings, this posts features the Top Ten Most Expensive Homes in the World for 2007.
#1: $165 million, Beverly Hills, Calif.
Once owned by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, this expansive villa sits on six and a half acres in Beverly Hills. A massive 75,000 square feet of living space is spread across three stories. The home boasts 29 bedrooms and 40 bathrooms.
#2: Bran Castle, $140 million, Brasov, Romania
Once inhabited by Romanian prince Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Count Dracula, this castle, built in 1212, sits on 20 acres. The 17-bedroom castle rests on the top of a cliff and offers views across the countryside and surrounding mountains.
#3: $138 million, Updown Court , Windlesham, Surre
Larger than either Buckingham or Hampton Court palace, this 103-room home has 58 acres of gardens and woodlands, making it the idyllic English country home for those flush with cash. Several ballrooms and grand entrance ways punctuate this house, which has a panic room, an indoor squash court, bowling alley, 50-seat cinema, helipads, space for eight limousines and a heated marble driveway.
#4: $135 million, Hala Ranch, Aspen, Colo.
The Starwood Ranch estate boasts a 56,000-square-foot mansion with 15 bedrooms and 16 baths. The estate features several smaller buildings, stables, a tennis court and an indoor swimming pool.
#5: $125 million, Maison de L’Amitie, Palm Beach, Fla.
With the refurbished version–complete with ballroom, conservatory and 475 feet of oceanfront–Trump is confident the property will move (although the land this property sits on is worth more than the improvements!). If the water is too rough on the beach, the property has a 100-foot swimming pool surrounded by gardens.
#6: $100 million, Tranquility, Lake Tahoe, Nev.
Conveniently on the tax-free Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, this 210-acre property is owned by Joel Horowitz, the cofounder of Tommy Hilfiger, who built the property from scratch. The main house has 20,000 square feet of living space, is modeled after a northern European mountain home and has a 3,500-bottle wine cellar.
#7: $100 million Waterfront Estate, Istanbul, Turkey
Located on three-quarters of an acre directly on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. This residence offers more than 30,000 square feet of opulent living space in 64 rooms, which feature large windows looking to the water.
#8: Eurasia $100 million Moscow
This sizable property consists of an 11,700-square-foot manor house, two 4,000-square-foot guest houses and a 91,000-square-foot recreation center that has a pool, Turkish and Russian baths; a gym; sauna; and lounges. The property is 15 miles from the Moscow city center.
#9: $99 million Bishops Avenue, Hampstead, London
Just under the $100 million mark–depending on today’s exchange rate–the Toprak Mansion was built by Turkish entrepreneur Halis Toprak. The 28,000-square-foot house has a double staircase and glass elevator.
#10: $75 million, Three Ponds, Bridgehampton, N.Y.
Three Ponds, which encompasses more than 60 acres of Hamptons farmland, is named for its surrounding lakes, but also features its own USGA-rated Rees Jones golf course. Surrounding the main house are 14 gardens, a 75-foot-long swimming pool, golf pro shop, grass tennis court and a guest house.
About Aria Kilpatrick
