Top 5 Most Expensive Homes in the World

[smee2]

Several years ago I found myself in a waiting room of an international realtor. He was licenced to deal not only in his own province (BC) and country (Canada), but most of the rest of the world. At the time I knew him he was riding high on having sold, and arranged a new purchase, for the richest man in British Columbia. That may not seem like a lot compared to most of what we consider the richest of anything but this wealthy man started out involved in a multi-level marketing scheme (MLM) and over the course of just a few years was the provinces most wealthy mogul. 

 

Anyway, in this waiting room, the realtor had magazines. Well, yes, what waiting room does not have magazines? but these were not just Cosmo and Readers Digenst. They were magazines that featured articles, most with pictures, of the really expensive homes in the world. Some specialized in just North America and that was what caught my eye. I knew nothing about the dinar then, and had absolutely no way to become rich enough to buy a home like that. My speed was a three bedroom, two bath, with deck, garage plus carport, and a fabulous view from the dual level backyard that was a pain to keep up. 

 

Anyway, in these magazines I saw and read the descriptions of a lot of homes that went so far beyond the basic meaning of "home" that it was stupid. No one needs that kind of space. Not even the rich and famous. I remember one of the homes was owned by Kenny Rogers (country music singer) anad it was close to what I would have liked at that time. But again it was in the millions. No point in doing more than dreaming about it. But I had time to look at a couple of magazines worth of these kind of homes. 

 

When I was first introduced to the dinar, and the possibilities it held (and hopefully still holds) one of my first thoughts was of the kind of expensive real estate I would buy. It would have to have a private air strip, not a large one, just big enough for my husband's small planes, and maybe the odd small jet belonging to an Arabian prince or British rock star (hahaha). I no longer need the air strip, and no longer prefer a place close to a very expensive country club with exquisite golf course, because I no longer have Neil to make use of those things.

 

But for myself, I don't think I would want any of those really expensive homes now. I would like a home now that is wheelchair accessible, which is a far cry from a home that is on a private beach at least three miles long. But there are a few things I would like. A  pool, indoor, but in my dreams it would have a large wall that rolled up like the roll-up doors of a mechanic's garage, that would open the entire stupidly large pool space to the outside where there would be a patio area with BBQ pit, great sunset view, and maybe even a part of the pool that goes out past the wall and becomes an outdoor pool. Yup, I have been thinking about this for a while ... since I thought that the dinar would hit big, hit soon, and hit me. That is partly why I bought the amount of dinar that I did. I wanted to be able to build or buy and renovate a home that is close to perfection, thought I will settle for the wow rather than the WOW. hahaha

 

I also want a kitchen, pool and game room, in-home theatre, bathroom that isn't just a bathroom but a bathing room, complete with warm water plunge and massage bench, rather like the bathing rooms of the sultans and sheiks of old, bathing being a custom that was taken very seriously. All of these things I have seen in movies. It might take a while to find all the movies, but I think my memory on this is good enough that a few days of describing what I want to an architectural artist (which I was on a small scale for a while just out of art school) and a really forward thinking architect, they would know what it is I want. 

 

The only thing that is stopping me from dreaming about sandy beaches in tropic climes, and multi-level castles with towers and balconies in the alps, is the need to be wheelchair accessible. Oh, the multi-level places would be fine if I can install an elevator. But that isn't something that can be done in just any home. 

 

As much as I talk too much, especially with my fingers in places like this forum, I am also a very good listener. My dad was a builder and almost anything about building or renovating or restoring I find interesting. I have so often heard the professionals talking about the problems of bringing an old place up to code, like those gorgeous castles or estate homes with several stories and wings. And problems there are. Most of them cannot safely be modernized, and livable for this century. They  just don't conform in ways that make that possible. So, I have stopped dreaming about those kinds of homes. They would be great to have, until the plumbing sprung a leak, or the heating system fails, and the fix was going to cost hundreds of thousands. 

 

Now I dream about building my own home. Something discrete. It will have all the bells and whistles I want, but it would not be ostentatious. A lavish kitchen for an in-house cook, pool and game room, computer and communications nook, perhaps elements of the in-home theatre, a walk-in pool of some kind. one wing of the house set aside for living quarters for staff (of about four) and the specialist staff that visit but don't live with me full time. Oh, and cat friendly too. That's it. It that can be handled by purchasing, okay. But if not, then we build. And hope to outlive the construction, furnishing and landscaping stages. 

 

So, I am now living with the constant hope that the Iraqis or others who are responsible for getting the dinar revalued to our benefit will GET OFF THE POT !!!

 

A place in the country with the outward look ofa log cabin gone wild ... that would be okay too ... just thinking ...

 

smee2

[littlesam]

Several years ago I found myself in a waiting room of an international realtor. He was licenced to deal not only in his own province (BC) and country (Canada), but most of the rest of the world. At the time I knew him he was riding high on having sold, and arranged a new purchase, for the richest man in British Columbia. That may not seem like a lot compared to most of what we consider the richest of anything but this wealthy man started out involved in a multi-level marketing scheme (MLM) and over the course of just a few years was the provinces most wealthy mogul. 

 

Anyway, in this waiting room, the realtor had magazines. Well, yes, what waiting room does not have magazines? but these were not just Cosmo and Readers Digenst. They were magazines that featured articles, most with pictures, of the really expensive homes in the world. Some specialized in just North America and that was what caught my eye. I knew nothing about the dinar then, and had absolutely no way to become rich enough to buy a home like that. My speed was a three bedroom, two bath, with deck, garage plus carport, and a fabulous view from the dual level backyard that was a pain to keep up. 

 

Anyway, in these magazines I saw and read the descriptions of a lot of homes that went so far beyond the basic meaning of "home" that it was stupid. No one needs that kind of space. Not even the rich and famous. I remember one of the homes was owned by Kenny Rogers (country music singer) anad it was close to what I would have liked at that time. But again it was in the millions. No point in doing more than dreaming about it. But I had time to look at a couple of magazines worth of these kind of homes. 

 

When I was first introduced to the dinar, and the possibilities it held (and hopefully still holds) one of my first thoughts was of the kind of expensive real estate I would buy. It would have to have a private air strip, not a large one, just big enough for my husband's small planes, and maybe the odd small jet belonging to an Arabian prince or British rock star (hahaha). I no longer need the air strip, and no longer prefer a place close to a very expensive country club with exquisite golf course, because I no longer have Neil to make use of those things.

 

But for myself, I don't think I would want any of those really expensive homes now. I would like a home now that is wheelchair accessible, which is a far cry from a home that is on a private beach at least three miles long. But there are a few things I would like. A  pool, indoor, but in my dreams it would have a large wall that rolled up like the roll-up doors of a mechanic's garage, that would open the entire stupidly large pool space to the outside where there would be a patio area with BBQ pit, great sunset view, and maybe even a part of the pool that goes out past the wall and becomes an outdoor pool. Yup, I have been thinking about this for a while ... since I thought that the dinar would hit big, hit soon, and hit me. That is partly why I bought the amount of dinar that I did. I wanted to be able to build or buy and renovate a home that is close to perfection, thought I will settle for the wow rather than the WOW. hahaha

 

I also want a kitchen, pool and game room, in-home theatre, bathroom that isn't just a bathroom but a bathing room, complete with warm water plunge and massage bench, rather like the bathing rooms of the sultans and sheiks of old, bathing being a custom that was taken very seriously. All of these things I have seen in movies. It might take a while to find all the movies, but I think my memory on this is good enough that a few days of describing what I want to an architectural artist (which I was on a small scale for a while just out of art school) and a really forward thinking architect, they would know what it is I want. 

 

The only thing that is stopping me from dreaming about sandy beaches in tropic climes, and multi-level castles with towers and balconies in the alps, is the need to be wheelchair accessible. Oh, the multi-level places would be fine if I can install an elevator. But that isn't something that can be done in just any home. 

 

As much as I talk too much, especially with my fingers in places like this forum, I am also a very good listener. My dad was a builder and almost anything about building or renovating or restoring I find interesting. I have so often heard the professionals talking about the problems of bringing an old place up to code, like those gorgeous castles or estate homes with several stories and wings. And problems there are. Most of them cannot safely be modernized, and livable for this century. They  just don't conform in ways that make that possible. So, I have stopped dreaming about those kinds of homes. They would be great to have, until the plumbing sprung a leak, or the heating system fails, and the fix was going to cost hundreds of thousands. 

 

Now I dream about building my own home. Something discrete. It will have all the bells and whistles I want, but it would not be ostentatious. A lavish kitchen for an in-house cook, pool and game room, computer and communications nook, perhaps elements of the in-home theatre, a walk-in pool of some kind. one wing of the house set aside for living quarters for staff (of about four) and the specialist staff that visit but don't live with me full time. Oh, and cat friendly too. That's it. It that can be handled by purchasing, okay. But if not, then we build. And hope to outlive the construction, furnishing and landscaping stages. 

 

So, I am now living with the constant hope that the Iraqis or others who are responsible for getting the dinar revalued to our benefit will GET OFF THE POT !!!

 

A place in the country with the outward look ofa log cabin gone wild ... that would be okay too ... just thinking ...

 

smee2

 

log cabin gone wild....    ....

[pattyangel]

the house I want to buy has actually been on the market for the past year with no offers and has even been reduced by £1,000,000 ($1,650,000) ....... come on Dinar , daddy wants a new project

 

 

Just the write up alone made my heart go pitter patter.  That is one amazing home.

[jbutch]

Here's a little write up on it , I'm going to delete the name of the house and the area from the article ..... It is in scotland , and bettyboop could probably guess where it is.

 

the property was built in 1740

 

The total floor space, including two staff flats, is about 35, 000 sq ft.

 

 

Property description

Accommodation

Principal Floor

Internally, the property has grand reception rooms and period features. The principal reception rooms look out over the garden to the waterways of Wigtown Bay and the Solway Firth and then to the distant Cumbrian hills.

The Entrance Hall (50’4”x20’4””) has outstanding and superb double height ceilings and Rococo wall plaster. At one end is a marble and carved limewood fireplace and the other a sweeping oak staircase, overlooked by a galleried first floor landing

Double doors lead into the:

Bow-fronted Drawing Room (40’x33’5”), with east facing French doors leading to a sandstone balcony and steps to the garden. There is also a delightful carved Italian marble chimneypiece, depicting Aesop’s fable of the fox and heron. The ceiling has ornate plaster cornices. The architraves are carved limewood and the flooring oak parquetry.

To the south is an Ante Room which links to the Dining Room.

To the north of the Drawing Room is the Billiard Room with extensive fitted book shelving and interlinking with:

Library, also with extensive fitted book shelving (with a capacity of approx. 6, 500 books) and finally into:

Ballroom (32’4”x29’6”). The Ballroom has tall windows on two aspects, two black marble fireplaces, a spectacular ornate vaulted corniced ceiling, and oak parquetry floors.

A Gun room off the ballroom has a walk-in Chubb safe, and leads out towards the North Pavilion and the service wing. From the entrance hall a separate passage leads around the front of the house, connecting the principal reception rooms and then to the north pavilion.

Stairs lead up to the double height Chapel (30’x29’8”) which has panelled walls and a fabulous cantilevered and semicircular ribbed buttress timber ceiling.

On the south side of the entrance hall the corridor leads to a guest Powder Room and then around into the:

South Pavilion. This was the schoolroom and bedroom accommodation for the children of the Earls. The accommodation in the South Pavilion on the first floor includes a bathroom, bedroom and WC. An internal staircase connects up to a further two bedrooms. From the first floor of the South Pavilion, a corridor links in to the principal first floor accommodation, and a further double bedroom and bathroom.

Off the south corridor is the pleasant bow-fronted Italian Room (24’x19’), which overlooks the sunken Italian Garden.

Interlinking from here is the Office.

Leading from the south corridor is the large family Kitchen (24’x18’5”), a wonderfully light room with tall windows to the south and east and double doors leading down stone steps to, and overlooking, the garden. The kitchen has a range of floor units, an Aga with four ovens, Belfast sink and dishwasher.

First Floor

From the entrance hall, the staircase leads to the first floor and the galleried landing. From the centre of the landing, steps lead up to the panoramic bow-fronted Master Bedroom (29’9”x29’1”). This has views to the east over the Solway Firth. There is a dressing room on one side, and the other side could easily be used as an en suite bathroom (all rooms separately interconnect). There are six further large bedrooms on this floor which are served by two bathrooms and two separate WCs.

Second Floor

From the north end of the landing, a staircase leads to the second floor and a further staircase drops down to the chapel in the north pavilion. There is a further bedroom. The second floor can also be accessed by a staircase from the master bedroom, which leads to another panoramic bow-fronted bedroom directly above the master bedroom. There are an additional nine rooms on this upper floor and two bathrooms and two separate WCs.

Lower Ground Garden Floor

The lower ground garden floor provides extensive further accommodation. Part of this is a Staff Flat which has a reception room, a kitchen, three bedrooms and a bathroom. The rest of the floor provides exceptional ancillary accommodation to the principal apartments. In the north pavilion there is a large garage/workshop.

Service Wing

This area is extensive and comprises a second Staff Flat, with large reception room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms and bathroom. There is storage, game larder, garaging for up to 10 cars, wood sheds, boiler room, and large 40’ garden hut.

Gardens and grounds

********* House is approached by both a council adopted drive and a private driveway from the village of *********. The house is situated in approximately 20 acres of gardens and grounds. To the west of the house the drive leads into a large parking and turning crescent at the front of the house. The principal garden lies to the south and east of the house, with woodland on the north and south. The sunken Italian garden has five symmetrical beds, a greenhouse and a surrounding stone wall. It is protected on the south and north by mature woodland with magnificent specimen trees including cedar, beech, lime, chestnut, oak, ash, firs, aspen and laurel and with mature exotic species of rhododendrons. The garden to the east of the house is laid into four large quadrant lawns with a ha-ha.

Services

The house is served by 3 phase electricity with mains water and private drainage. There is an oil-fired central heating system.

Council tax

The property is in Council Tax Band H.

Listing

********** House is a Grade A Listed Building.

 

 

I fell in love with this place when I went to view it last year ..... It will be mine some day.

 

 

 

 

no shed for the toys  machine lol

[umbertino]

If you want to get away from it all.....

 

http://www.privateislandsonline.com/

 

 

 

 

http://www.vladi-private-islands.de/

My Dad studied personally with Frank Lloyd Wright. I think I will dig one of his old drawings out and dust it off.

That's awesome.

Edited April 14, 2013 by umbertino

[The Machine]

[quote name="jbutch" post="1152274" timestamp="1365909053

no shed for the toys machine lol[/b]

Oh but there is .... There are a few out buildings also a 10 garage and a workshop

[sandfly]

YES IT IS, ONE DAY WHEN IT RV'S, WE WILL GET THE HOUSE WE WONT.

[The Machine]

Oh but there is .... There are a few out buildings also a 10 garage and a workshop

 

that was supposed to be ... a 10 car garage