World's Most Expansive House

1. "Antilla", Mumbai  - 1 $Billion 

The world's costliest home in 2010 is unquestionable. It is the first $1 billion home the world has seen. A custom-build 27 story towering mansion, Antilla in Mumbai is the home of the world's fifth richest man, namely Mukesh Ambani, head of Indian petro-chemical giant Reliance Industries, which is India�s most valuable firm by market capitalization.

With double height ceilings, ballrooms, crystal chandelier ceilings, retractable stages, & 600 servants, there is no other home on earth that compares to the 570 feet tall Antilla.
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2. Villa Leopolda, Cote d'Azur France  - $525 million

Villa Leopolda is an 80,000 square foot Chateuau built in 1902 by King Leopold II of Belgium. The villa has been rumoured to be the home of Bill Gates & lots of more global figures, but has actually been home to Italian banker Edmond Safira, whose spouse Lily still lives there. The 19 bedroom villa, which boasts sports courts, a bowling alley, multiple kitchens, dining rooms as well as a film theater, received even more press lately when a Russian mogul lost his deposit on the property when they reneged on finishing the sale.
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3. One Hyde Park  - The Penthouse, London - $200 million

 This massively stylish modern penthouse may not be so costly did it not sit atop the famous number one Hyde Park address. As it is in such a premium location it's been built as a home for the rich and famous complete with SAS guard, bullet proof windows, iris scanners, panic rooms as well as a secret tunnel to the nearby Mandarin Hotel. The building has communal spas, squash courts and wine tasting rooms, and the penthouse is served by 24 hour room service.
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4. Fairfield Pond, The Hamptons  - $170 million

 This 63 acre home is thought about the largest residential compound in America. The 29 bedroom beachfront home of publicity shy billionaire Ira Rennert has five sports courts, a bowling alley and a $150,000 hot tub.

5. Hearst Mansion , Beverly Hills - $165 million

This mansion - the former home of publishing giant William Randolph Hearst, the inspiration for the main character in "Citizen Kane" - features 29 bedrooms & pools. The estate became a pop-culture icon after being used in The Godfather film, when the infamous severed horse's head turned up in the owner's bed. The fact that assassinated President John F Kennedy stayed in the mansion in the coursework of his honeymoon also added to its status. The house has some notable neighbours, including Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes & David & Victoria Beckham.

6. Franchuk Villa, Kensington - $161 million

Anyone else spotting a trend here (the costliest homes being chiefly in the United Kingdom and US, this making it two all). This Victorian Villa was a girl's prep school until 1997, when it was bought and upgraded in 2006. After receiving a £10 million overhaul and refurb it was bought by Ukrainian AIDS philanthropist, Elena Franchuk, and renamed the Franchuk Villa.

7. "The Pinnacle", Montana - $155 million

This is the home of Time & Edra Blixseth, owners of the billionaires-only golf & ski resort "Yellowstone Club" in Montana. It will be the largest & grandest property on the resort, but is still small compared to a quantity of those on this list, with only ten bedrooms. To catch up the property has impressive features such as every inch of floor being heated, a heated driveway & fireplaces in all bathrooms. (3-2 to America)

8. "The Manor", Los Angeles - $150 million

The home of Aaron Spelling, dubbed "The Manor" by spouse Cindy, has 123 rooms for his relatives to choose from, an indoor skating rink, multiple pools, kitchens, sports courts, private orchard, as well as a bowling alley. The home, which they had built from scratch in 1991 also has a room used exclusively for wrapping presents as well as a whole floor dedicated to closet space.

9. Updown Courtv, Windlesham, Surrey - $139 dollars

 

.The description of this home is above, as it was the 3rd costliest home in 2008. What is fascinating however, is that in 2008 it was valued at $110million, meaning its value has grown substantially even in the coursework of such difficult financial times.

10. Dracula's Castle, Romania - $135 million

This home needs no introduction. Built in the 14th century, the castle is now a national monument & museum thanks to the legend surrounding it, which also needs no introduction. It's 57 rooms in total, including 17 bedrooms filled with antiques & historical artefacts. It wouldn't do for the publicly shy Ira Rennert mentioned above, but for the quirkier billionaire, the 450 million tourists that visit every year may be worth it for living in Dracula's castle.