With eight- and nine-figure price tags guaranteed to make your jaw drop, the world’s most costly residential properties are the ultimate playgrounds for billionaires—millionaires need not apply. From a Mediterranean palace the size of a football pitch to an Armani-designed penthouse in Dubai, embark on a journey of luxury overload as you feast your eyes on the most expensive homes that money can buy!
SEE ALSO: The World’s Most Spectacular Modern Homes
Villa Versailles, Ticino, Switzerland: £54 million ($66m)
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, offering breathtaking views across the lake. The 16,328-square-foot (1,516sqm) property boasts six bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, as well as meticulously landscaped gardens, patios, and terraces. Designed for grand-scale entertaining, this magnificent home is sure to impress even the most discerning guests.
The Greek Revival-style property features a classic exterior with two tiers of white columns, large windows, and a rotunda overlooking the back gardens and the lake. Inside, the property evokes the ambiance of a French château, with a sweeping grand staircase, polished marble floors, crystal chandeliers, molded walls, and coffered ceilings.
The neo-classical touches continue throughout the communal spaces, which include an opulent living room, formal dining room, lounge, and chef’s kitchen. Guests and residents can navigate the ground floor through marble-column lined hallways, reminiscent of those found in a library or museum, adding a heightened sense of grandeur to the home.
Equestrian estate, Perl-Borg, Germany: £55 million ($72m)
It’s easy to understand why this extraordinary estate is one of Europe’s most expensive properties. Located near the picturesque Upper Moselle River, Gestüt Peterhof is home to a world-renowned dressage stable and stud farm. The lavish facility hosted the qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Olympics and is home to the three-time World Championship-winning stallion, Sezuan. However, it’s also a luxurious residence in its own right.
While the 74-acre (30ha) estate can accommodate 38 horses in gleaming loose boxes, Gestüt Peterhof hasn’t neglected its human residents. The refined two-story clubhouse features an 80-seat restaurant, two catering kitchens, several VIP lounges, two fireplaces, and four terraces. It’s easy to imagine the glamorous parties a lucky buyer could host here.
The imposing baroque-inspired main house, a manager’s house, and five additional guest cottages offer a total of 14 bedrooms, all decorated to a high standard. Unsurprisingly, the décor has a distinct equestrian theme, with horse sculptures, paintings, and photos adorning almost every room. And to top it off, the sale includes all the furniture, appliances, and even the farm machinery.
Marbella mansion, Málaga, Spain: £56 million ($73m)
Marbella, in Málaga, Spain, has long been renowned as one of the world’s top holiday destinations, offering stunning beaches, pleasant weather, and a plethora of upscale bars, restaurants, and shopping options.
With 13 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and over 64,500 square feet (5,992sqm) of space across three stories, this magnificent property boasts a host of luxurious features that may tempt you to stay home. While the current price is not disclosed on the listing, it was previously on the market for an impressive £56 million ($73m).
The home’s first floor offers ample space for entertaining, with elegant formal dining and living rooms, the latter featuring two open marble fireplaces. You’ll also find a more casual family room and a spacious terrace area perfectly designed for outdoor dining.
Ascending 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 offering breathtaking Mediterranean Sea views. Guests will also be able to indulge in 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.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Armani Beach Residences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: £101 million ($131m)
This eye-catching building is the Armani Beach Residences on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s prestigious palm-shaped archipelago. Designed by Tadao Ando, the ultra-luxurious property spans nine stories and houses 60 apartments, all offering panoramic sea views and decorated by Armani Casa Interior Design Studio.
While its completion is slated for 2026, the stunning presidential penthouse apartment is already available for sale through Sotheby’s at AED 482.5 million (£101m/$131m).
The contemporary yet elegant 43,830-square-foot (4,071sqm) penthouse boasts five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a gourmet kitchen equipped with the latest appliances. The listing describes the home as “a slice of tranquil luxury,” and we couldn’t agree more. The neutral color palette, flowing architecture, and enormous windows create a serene and luxurious atmosphere.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Palais Vénitien, Cannes, France: £102 million ($132m)
Known as Palais Vénitien, this fabulous estate is located just moments from the enticing coastline of Cannes, a renowned resort town on the French Riviera, famed for its international film festival. Listed with Knight Frank for €120 million (102m/$132m), the property was recently redesigned by the interior experts at COGEMAD, resulting in dramatic living spaces overflowing with high-end fixtures.
This historic estate is one of the region’s finest, boasting an impressive interior spanning a staggering 32,291 square feet (3,000sqm). Every single room is lavish beyond belief. There are sprawling formal living areas (eight to be exact), dining spaces, and sleeping quarters. In fact, the property features a total of nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms, as well as a remarkably spacious kitchen that could have been lifted from a top restaurant.
This home boasts plenty of modern elements. For example, the massive, luxurious basement resembles a nightclub, with its dancefloor, bar, velvet seating, and professional lighting.
Casa Encantada, Los Angeles, California: £150 million ($195m)
Casa Encantada, an impressive estate with a rich history, stands on 8.4 acres (3.4ha) in Bel Air, Los Angeles. Built in 1937, it was once owned by Conrad Hilton, founder of the Hilton Hotels chain and great-grandfather of DJ and socialite Paris Hilton.
When it was listed for £176 million ($225m) in October 2019, it was the most expensive home publicly listed in the entire United States, according to the Los Angeles Times. While the price has since decreased to £150 million ($195m), it remains one of the priciest properties in the States.
The Georgian-style home was purchased by financier Gary Winnick in 2000 for $94 million, which would be approximately $172 million (£135m) today. Reportedly, he invested millions of dollars in restoring the home, returning the interiors to their original style as designed by the renowned architect TH Robsjohn-Gibbings, who was active in the 1930s and 40s.
This 18-seat dining room hints at the grandeur and scale of the rest of the house. In addition to an entry hall with 14-foot (4m) high ceilings, a walnut-paneled library, and multiple formal and informal living and dining rooms, the mansion boasts seven bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, and a bar made entirely of sterling silver.
Duplex penthouse, London, UK: £175 million ($228m)
Surprisingly, many of the world’s priciest properties aren’t sprawling mansions but prestigious penthouses, soaring above our capital cities like castles in the sky. This duplex penthouse at One Hyde Park: The Residences at Mandarin Oriental overlooks, as you might guess, Hyde Park and the ritzy Knightsbridge neighborhood. Priced at £175 million ($228m), the five-bedroom, eight-bathroom home maximizes its location with wrap-around terraces.
The master suite spans an impressive 2,300 square feet (701sqm) and features not one, but two ensuite bathrooms, each with Jacuzzi-style jet pools and spacious dressing rooms. Naturally, the home also boasts a state-of-the-art gym and a private spa with a treatment room, sauna, and steam room.
READ MORE: Gilded Age Meets Modern Age In This Luxury Home
For more irreverent design ideas with a vintage twist, don’t forget to follow Essential Home on Pinterest and Instagram. Subscribe to our newsletters here!
