The world’s most expensive house remains unoccupied and deserted as its billionaire proprietors fear that residing within its walls will attract misfortune. Nestled in Mumbai, the towering 27-storey structure, known as Antilia, stands as a billion-dollar testament to opulence and grandeur.
However, it is believed to have fallen afoul of vastu shastra, an esoteric Hindu practice akin to feng shui. Constructed to accommodate Mukesh Ambani, India’s wealthiest individual and ranked as the ninth richest person globally by Forbes, with a staggering fortune of $27 billion, Antilia has commanded the Mumbai skyline since its completion the previous year.
The grandeur of Antilla is indeed remarkable. With a construction cost of $1 billion, the world’s most expensive house boasts an array of luxurious amenities, including three helipads, six floors dedicated to car parking, elevated gardens, a theatre, and a ballroom.
Interestingly, another towering structure called J.K. House is currently under construction in Breach Candy, Mumbai, and bears a striking resemblance to Antilla. It seems to be a potential rival in terms of opulence and design.
Notably, Antilla’s state-of-the-art theatre has hosted film screenings, while the grand ballroom has witnessed elegant dinners, all impeccably served by staff trained by the esteemed luxury Oberoi hotel chain. Its owners return at the end of each party to their former ancestral home, never staying the night.
Vastu, a philosophical doctrine that guides the architecture of Hindu temples, places great significance on orienting structures to face the rising sun. Surprisingly, despite the exorbitant expenditure on Antilia, the building lacks sufficient windows or openings on its eastern side, depriving residents of ample morning light as prescribed by Vastu principles.
Rather than relocating to their envisioned abode, the Ambani family continues to reside in a comparatively modest 14-storey apartment tower located at the southern end of the city. In this tower, they occupy different floors alongside their extended family.
When questioned about the family’s reluctance to inhabit Antilia, Tushar Pania, a spokesperson for Mr Ambani’s company, Reliance Industries, dismissed such inquiries as baseless gossip, suggesting that there were no reservations on their part regarding residing at the magnificent structure.
In the previous year, as Antilia approached its final stages of construction, numerous residents of Mumbai voiced their criticism, viewing the edifice as an extravagant exhibition of wealth in a nation where a significant portion of the population survives on less than $2 per day.
A mere half a mile away from Mr Ambani’s towering 27-storey structure, another skyscraper is gradually ascending, becoming a new addition to Mumbai’s captivating skyline. This construction project is helmed by the Singhania family, who holds control over the esteemed Raymond Group, renowned for its Indian tailoring expertise.
When observed from a distance, these two buildings bear a striking resemblance to one another. With their soaring columns, expansive windows overlooking the sea, and an eerily similar jigsaw puzzle-like facade, they appear almost indistinguishable.
Every level within the world’s most expensive house exhibits a distinct appearance, achieved by utilising varied materials. The expansive lobby, boasting nine elevators, is adorned with multiple powder rooms and reception areas, offering a grand entrance experience.
Drenched in glitz and glamour, the ballroom is an extravagant sight to behold. Its ceiling is predominantly occupied by resplendent crystal chandeliers, while a stage awaits entertainers to captivate audiences. Additionally, a spacious kitchen equipped to serve a multitude of guests adds to the grandeur of the space.
Throughout the building, one will encounter numerous sitting areas adorned with exquisite rugs, elegant chandeliers, and ornate mirrors, exuding an ambience of opulence and refinement.
SOURCE: Daily Mail | PHOTOS: Vanity Fair
