Top Ten Most Charming Mansions in the World
For thousands of years, wealthy Chinese have loved to buy houses and land with their money. This millennium-old habit has seemingly become an ingrained tendency. After the financial crisis, mansion market prices around the world dropped significantly over the past two years. Even Dubai, the city of gold, saw a decline of up to 71% this year. How could this not excite Chinese tycoons' enthusiasm for purchasing large estates everywhere? Perhaps it is precisely this wave of Chinese passion that has driven the global mansion market to flourish this year. Thus, we have carefully selected the most charming mansions around the world this year to give you a glimpse of their elegance.
Mission Hills Golf Villa
Premium mansion: Mission Hills Golf Villa
Mission Hills Villa is a villa product in China that can rival world-class luxury homes.
As early as 2005, Mission Hills was included in the legally designated eternal ecological control line. This ensures its national AAAA-level tourist attraction scenery, with absolute quality assurance. With 20 square kilometers of green landscape resources, it is difficult for other villa projects in the country to match it. For 12 consecutive years, the Omega Mission Hills Golf World Cup has been held, with events thriving and gentlemen gathering. The world's number one golfer Tiger Woods, golf king Jack Nicklaus, flier Liu Xiang, world piano leader Lang Lang, and heads of state and royal family members from multiple countries have all left their footprints at Mission Hills. Whether for living or investment, Mission Hills cannot help but attract the attention of China's tycoons.
Dayi Mountain Villa, Guangzhou
Mysterious Mansion: Dayi Mountain Villa, Guangzhou
Hidden at the foot of Baiyun Mountain in Guangzhou, with a mysterious developer, mysterious development progress, and even a somewhat enigmatic specific address, it still ranks among the "Top Ten Super Mansions in China" in 2010.
In the 2010 annual ranking of "China's Top Ten Super Mansions" compiled by the World Manager Group, World Real Estate Research Institute, and other institutions, Guangzhou Dayi Mountain Villa ranked first, surpassing Shanghai Tangchen Yipin. However, the developer obtained this land five years ago and has yet to launch sales. Now, the land price has increased about five times compared to then, with land appreciation exceeding 2 billion yuan. The selling price is no less than 60,000 yuan per square meter annually. After five years, Dayi Mountain Villa has finally become known as "China's First Luxury Mansion."
Trump International Hotel Tower
Iconic Mansion: Trump
The luxurious apartments of the Trump International Hotel Tower were built by Donald Trump, located on the western side of Manhattan Central Park. It was originally the office building of General Electric Company, and this year it was auctioned for $33.2 million.
In March of this year, the second-generation Chinese-American tycoon Liu Dehao spent a hefty sum of $33.2 million to purchase a 511-square-meter luxurious apartment in the Trump International Hotel Tower. Although the original owner, Italian film producer Cechi Gori, who produced more than 200 films including "The Postman" and "Life is Beautiful," had a unique taste and demolished all the interior walls, turning the originally five-bedroom, eight-bathroom, and spacious living room mansion into a giant "cement box," it is believed that Liu Dehao, who is just over twenty years old and enjoys spending lavishly in New York's hottest nightclubs, does not mind. After all, this mansion represents the luxurious life of Manhattan, appears tasteful due to the artist's residence, and is also located in an excellent location with a view of the beautiful scenery of New York's Central Park. This grand purchase was also regarded by the American "Wall Street Journal" as a sign that New York real estate prices have finally stabilized.
Leopold Villa
Conflicted Mansion: Leopold Villa
Built by King Leopold II of Belgium in 1902, it remains the private residence with the highest transaction price in the world to date.
In March 2008, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov intended to purchase the Leopold Villa for 500 million euros. At the time, he paid a deposit of 39 million euros. However, after the global financial crisis swept across, Prokhorov's fortune plummeted, leading him to deeply regret his decision. After all, before the Leopold Villa, the most expensive mansion in the world was only worth 57 million pounds. But Prokhorov's unilateral attempt to cancel the purchase contract was not so simple. According to the agreement, if the buyer unilaterally breaches the contract, the seller does not need to return the deposit. The dispute eventually ended up in court, and on March 1st of this year, Prokhorov was still ruled by the court that his claim for the deposit was invalid. It seems that if you want to own this mansion with a panoramic view of the most beautiful sea views in southern France, numerous beautiful swimming pools, comfortable leisure areas, and various beautiful sculptures in the garden, you must weigh your own capabilities; otherwise, it will be a "tragedy."
Most Expensive Mansion: One Hyde Park
Designed by renowned designer Richard Rogers, the average price per square meter is approximately 64,500 pounds, making it the most expensive apartment in the world.
"Don't buy the best, just buy the most expensive." This is a classic line from the movie "Big Shot," and also the reason why tycoons value One Hyde Park. Not for any other reason, but because it is located in the most expensive area of London. Therefore, Qatar's current first deputy prime minister and foreign minister Hamad was willing to spend money to buy a duplex apartment with a total area of 1,858 square meters on the top floor for a staggering 140 million pounds. Here, adjacent to Queen Elizabeth's official residence Buckingham Palace, the Natural History Museum of Great Britain, and the Thames River... If you're lucky, you might even see the queen going out.
Tallest Mansion: Antilia
Four aerial gardens, which not only save energy but also keep the indoor temperature warm in winter and cool in summer. Estimated value reaches 1.2 billion pounds.
In October of this year, Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani decided to move his home into Antilia, a mansion that took Ambani seven years to build. This 27-story building resembles dozens of books of different thicknesses and widths stacked together. Now, after Mukesh's extravagant plan was exposed, it even drew concern from Indian Prime Minister Singh, who urged the country's business leaders to "avoid ostentatious consumption" and instead strive to be "moderate consumption role models." It seems that Indian tycoons are not as low-key as Chinese tycoons.
Artistic Mansion: Flower of Lisse
All furniture and decorations are 18th-century French antique collectibles.
"If at nightfall, you don't turn on the electric lights but light candles, it will take you back to 18th-century France!" This is the accolade given to the Flower of Lisse by the American magazine "Vanity Fair." In fact, the birth of the Flower of Lisse was a brilliant idea from media mogul David Sabelstein. He wanted to recreate the Palace of Versailles in Los Angeles. In October of this year, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage revealed that they planned to sell this "Little Versailles" on the Pacific coast to China's super-rich. Perhaps by next year, the Flower of Lisse will become another example of Chinese tycoons buying globally.
Cozy Mansion: Hong Kong Xiao Lu
Hong Kong's most luxurious mid-hill area, accompanied by enchanting sea views and mountain views, six-star hotel managers teach workers tableware arrangement and etiquette, the love nest of Li Jiayin and Xu Jinheng.
Beauty Li Jiayin finally married into the wealthy Xu Jinheng family in her late years. To celebrate their marriage, Mr. Xu Shixun generously gifted them the super mansion "Xiao Lu" valued at 170 million Hong Kong dollars on Stubbs Road in Mid-Levels as their love nest, and further spent 15 million Hong Kong dollars renovating two connected units. Coincidentally, when Li Jiayin became pregnant, it was also the time when "Xiao Lu" renovations were completed. Li Jiayin, now married into high society, can finally enjoy sweet moments with her husband without any worries.
Eco-friendly Mansion: Japanese Shell Villa
A shell-shaped structure submerged in the forest, entirely decorated with eco-friendly materials, integrated with nature, truly a low-carbon lifestyle.
Some mansions choose to be built in picturesque places, some include breathtaking gardens, but few can fully integrate with nature. However, Japan's ARTechnic firm claims they have achieved this, enjoying the gifts of nature without damaging the ecological environment. This year, this innovative firm designed a shell-shaped villa in a forest, completely overturning and breaking the traditional house design structure. This way, it can maximize the use of sunlight, reducing the use of indoor lighting, which is not only energy-saving but also very environmentally friendly.
Special Mansion: Düsseldorf Car Villa
The styles of the world's mansions may vary greatly, but most share one common feature: they offer only one view. However, a mansion unveiled at the 2010 Düsseldorf Caravan Salon in Germany completely broke this restriction. This villa has eight wheels, naturally smaller space compared to fixed villas, no attached garden, but facilities such as an 11-inch massage bathtub terrace bathroom, wine cellar, mini cinema are all available, even including a sports car garage. The price is also reasonable, only requiring 840,000 US dollars.