Big Time Luxuries

The World's Most Expensive Homes Boast Big Luxuries & Bigger Price Tags
Friday February 23, 2007

Last month we told you about plans to build the world's most expensive home at an exclusive club in Montana. It's value: $155 million.

But until it's actually up, there's only one place on the entire planet that can claim to beat it. It's in Surrey, England and it's called Updown Court (left). And if you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it.

In fact, it's hard to imagine how anyone can.

According to Forbes Magazine, which keeps track of such things, the incredible estate is the priciest place on earth. It's listed for an astounding US$138 million and has 103 rooms.
What do you get for that money? How about a 50-seat movie theatre, your own glass elevator, a 35,000 bottle wine cellar, an indoor squash court, a heated driveway that holds eight limos, several indoor spas and pools and of course, your own helicopter landing areas, in case you want to get away from the place.

But who'd want to?

It may be the penthouse when it comes to shelling out for real estate, but it's by no means an exclusive neighbourhood.

Forbes says the second most expensive home in the world belongs to Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.

His living quarters are located in trendy Aspen, Colorado - whose climate couldn't be more different than his native Saudi Arabia.

The Starwood Estate comes with 15 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, some stables, a tennis court, and an indoor swimming pool. It's a steal at just $135 million.

It seems only appropriate that the man who owns the third costliest domicile in the world made his fortune through real estate - and did it without an apprentice.

Donald Trump bought his Palm Beach, Florida edifice at an auction three years ago for the bargain price of $41 million. It's now worth $125 million.

It has a 100-foot swimming pool and its own ballroom, not to mention 475 feet of beach front.
And because Trump knows a thing or two about the market, it's for sale. We don't even want to think about the mortgage.

Other homes on the Top 10 list include a steel magnate's London digs worth $127 million, a Lake Tahoe, Nevada monster owned by the co-founder of the Tommy Hilfiger clothing chain ($100 million) and a waterfront estate in Istanbul, Turkey (also $100 million).

Some of the real estate comes with unique features - like a $75 million 60-acre Bridgehampton, N.Y. complex that includes its own regulation size golf course.

And then there's a place that's not technically a house at all, but more like the world's most incredible apartment.

The penthouse on top of the Pierre Hotel in New York City occupies three floors, has five master bedrooms, 7 baths, five fireplaces, what's described as the world's most elegant living room and a panoramic view of the big Apple's famed Central Park. It's yours for only $70 million.
No Canadian homes made the list, although most GTA residents would tell you our prices here are already outrageous.

But considering the amount of snow we get, that heated driveway would be a nice touch.

For More Housing Information go to http://www2.blogger.com/www.ColoradoDreamHomes.net