Billionaires have been trading multimillion-dollar real estate with tremendous zeal in recent years, slapping down record sums for trophy homes while quietly floating other properties in their portfolios through brokers in unofficial, off-market offerings. While the downturn paused activity in the super luxury end of the market, high net-worth buyers started fresh buying sprees in late 2010, trolling for high-end trophy property ‘bargains’ selling at markedly lower prices than their housing bubble heights or parking investment cash in prized pied-a-terres tucked inside the world’s most exclusive buildings. In fact, billionaire buying activity in the super luxury end of the world’s most expensive housing markets has been, according to a recent report from Savills, “so intense over the last seven years that it has led to a doubling of property values in this [super luxury housing] sector.”
Morgan Brennan Morgan Brennan Forbes StaffBUSINESS, LIFESTYLE, LISTS
Antilia,-Mumbai,-India
Owner: Mukesh Ambani, worth $21.5billion
Value: upward of $1 billion
The twenty-seven story, 400,000-square foot skyscraper residence, named after a mythical island in the Atlantic, has six underground levels of parking, three helicopter pads, a ‘health’ level, and reportedly requires about 600 staff to run it. It is the world’s most expensive home far and away with construction costs topping $1 billion.
Villa Leopolda, Villefranche-sur-mer, France
Owner: Lily Safra, worth $1.2 billion
Price: 500 million euro ($750 million at the time) in 2008
King Leopold II reportedly built a series of waterside homes for his many mistresses. This 20-acre estate was valued at 500 million euros in 2008, when Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov attempted to buy it. He eventually pulled out of the deal, forfeiting a 50 million euro deposit.
Fair Field, Sagaponack, N.Y.
Owner: Ira Rennert, worth $6.5 billion
Property value: about $248 million, according to 2012 tax assessments
The industrial billionaire’s hulking 29-bedroom, 39-bath Hamptons compound has not one, but three swimming pools, plus its own power plant on premises.
Kensington Palace Gardens, London, U.K.
Owner: Lakshmi Mittal, worth $16.5 billion
Purchase Price: 117 million pounds ($222 million at the time) in 2008
The steel magnate is believed to own three homes on the high-security street known as Billionaires Row, including a neo-Georgian mansion near the Israeli embassy. The home (not pictured), rumored to have been purchased for Mittal’s son, was sold by hedge fund billionaire Noam Gottesman.
One Hyde Park, London, U.K.
Owner: Rinat Akhmetov, worth $15.4 billion
Sale Price: $221 million in 2011
The world’s most expensive apartment, located in posh Knightsbridge, was purchased by the Ukraine’s richest man. It boasts a staggering 25,000-square feet, bullet proof glass and 24-hour hotel concierge service.
Ellison Estate, Woodside, Calif.
Owner: Larry Ellison, worth $43 billion
Value: estimated $200 million to construct
The Oracle founder, arguably the world’s most avid collector of real estate, built his 23-acre Japanese-style estate in 2004 with 10 buildings, a man made lake, a tea house, a bath house and a koi pond. The property is currently assessed at just over $70 million.
Kensington Palace Gardens, London, U.K.
Owner: Roman Abramovich, worth $10.2 billion
Purchase Price: 90 million pounds (about $140 million) in 2011
The Russsian tycoon owns several huge London estates (not pictured), including a Billionaires’ Row mansion. Since purchasing, plans to build a subterranean extension that includes a tennis court, health center and auto museum were approved by the city. He also owns a French Riviera chateau and in 2009 spent a record $90 million on a 70-acre estate on St. Bart’s.
Blossom Estate, Palm Beach, Fla.
Owner: Ken Griffin, worth $4.1 billion
Total Purchase Price: nearly $130 million in December 2012
The hedge fund titan purchased four side-by-side properties totaling eight acres on the ocean. Three lots tout houses while the fourth was already torn down; the entire swath of property was once used as a single estate.
Xanadu 2.0, Seattle, Wash.
Owner: Bill Gates, worth $67 billion
Market Value: $120.5 million, according to 2012 tax assessments
The high-tech Lake Washington complex owned by the world’s second-richest man boasts a pool with an underwater music system, a 2,500- square foot gym and a library with domed reading room.
Mountain Home Road, Woodside, Calif.
Owner: reportedly Masayoshi Son, worth $8.6 billion
Purchase Price: $117.5 million in 2012
The most expensive home sale on record includes a 9,000-square foot neoclassical house, a 1,117-square foot colonnaded pool house, a detached library, a retreat building, a swimming pool, a tennis court and formal gardens.
Further Lane de Menil, East Hampton, N.Y.
Owner: Ron Baron, worth $1.6 billion
Purchase Price: $103 million in 2007
The investment guru snapped up more than 50 acres of undeveloped oceanfront Hamptons land during the market’s height with the intention of constructing his own home.
Silicon Valley Mansion, Los Altos Hills, Calif.
Owner: Yuri Milner, worth $1.1 billion
Purchase Price: $100 million in 2011
Bought as a secondary home, the Facebook investor broke records with the recent purchase of a French chateaux-inspired limestone abode that touts indoor and outdoor pools, a ballroom and second-floor living areas that gaze out on San Francisco Bay.
Broken O Ranch, Augusta, Mont.
Owner: Stanley Kroenke, worth $5 billion
List Price: $132.5 million
Purchase Price: undisclosed
Thanks to state laws, the final sale price of this 124,000-acre operational ranch is undisclosed and unconfirmed. The estate boasts a 10,000-square foot main house with indoor pool, horse stables, nearly 4,500 heads of cattle, extensive water rights, and substantial agricultural capacity for small grain crops and alfalfa hay.
Kensington Palace Gardens, London, U.K.
Owner: Tamara Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone
Purchase Price: 45 million pounds in 2011 (roughly $70 million)
Estimated Construction Costs:20 million pounds (about $30 million)The heiress has spent an estimated $98.7 million on a 55-room house (not pictured) on Billionaire’s Row factoring in renovations that include a $1 million Amazonian crystal bathtub, a private nightclub, a bowling alley, a subterranean swimming pool, a beauty salon, a dog spa and a car lift.
15 Central Park West, New York, N.Y.
Owner: Daniel Loeb, worth $1.5 billion
Purchase Price: $45 million in 2008
The hedge fund titan owns the coveted 10, 674-square foot penthouse on the very top of the exclusive Central Park-flanking high rise. It has been rumored to be for sale with an asking price of $100 million.
Maison de L’Amitie, Palm Beach, Fla.
Owner: Dmitry Rybolovlev, worth $9.1 billion
Purchase Price in 2008: $95 million
Originally listed for $125 million, the sprawling oceanfront 60,000-square foot compound, bought from real estate billionaire Donald Trump, includes diamond and gold fixtures and a garage with space for nearly 50 cars.
Promised Land, Montecito, Calif.
Owner: Oprah Winfrey, worth $2.8 billion
Market Value: $88 million, according to 2012 tax assessments
Purchased in 2001 for nearly $52 million, the media queen’s 23,000-square-foot Georgian-style manse sits on more than 40 acres, boasting a tea house, more than 600 rose bushes and an upscale outhouse.
15 Central Park West, New York, N.Y.
Owner: Ekaterina Rybolovleva, daughter of billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev
Purchase Price: $88 million in 2012
An LLC associated with the Russian heiress scooped up the Central Park-facing 6,744-square foot penthouse for the full asking price, less than six weeks after it came to market. At roughly $13,500 per square foot, it’s the most expensive sale by square foot ever in the U.S.
The Manor, Los Angeles, Calif.
Buyer: Petra Ecclestone, daughter of billionaire Bernie Ecclestone
Sale Price: $85 million in 2011
Originally listed for $150 million, the 56,500-square foot Holmby Hills mansion is stocked with every amenity imaginable including dog grooming room, five bars, a gift-wrapping room, a flower-cutting hall with professional florist fridge, and a bowling alley.
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You’ll also find an indoor pool and a thermal suite including a 
The hotel is home to 34 individually designed rooms, and most feature a balcony looking out across the sea. Each of the rooms are decorated in a style that recalls summer holidays filled with salt in your hair and the smell of sun cream, with light grey walls, blue accents and artwork depicting seascapes, as well as handmade wooden furniture and woven bed throws.
Indoors, the spa features a sauna, steam room and four treatment rooms including a couple’s treatment room for those on a relaxing romantic break. The rooms are equally luxurious, you can select a cottage, a deluxe room or a suite. The cottages are decorated in a blue and white seaside style, and offer space for up to 6 adults and extra space for children. These are a great self-catering option whilst enjoying all the perks of a luxury hotel.
On top of reed pools and cliff-top Jacuzzis, the hotel spa also boasts a steam room, copper tub, Hammam and a Rhassoul used for messy mineral mud sessions – 
At every turn, The Berkeley is luxurious whether it be the light filled Collins Room dining room where you can also enjoy the über fashionable Pret-a-portea a witty take on a fashionista afternoon tea, or enjoying a sophisticated cocktail in the Blue Bar.
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