Only billionaires need apply: The 10 most expensive homes in the world

Beverly House in Los Angeles. -- PHOTO: BILLIONAIRE.COM
Beverly House in Los Angeles. -- PHOTO: BILLIONAIRE.COM
The Manor, Holmby Hills in Los Angeles. -- PHOTO: BILLIONAIRE.COM
Tour Odeon Penthouse in Moncao, France. -- PHOTO: BILLIONAIRE.COM

From the most sought-after urban addresses to private islands, Billionaire.com, the magazine for the ultra-rich, has revealed the world's top 10 most expensive listed properties for sale.

Read on and marvel at what a lot of money can buy you:

1. Penthouse at the Tour Odéon Monaco, Monaco

Price: US$388 million (S$503.5 million)

When completed in early 2015, it will be the second-largest building on the Mediterranean coastline and home to the world's most expensive apartment - a five-floor penthouse with a price tag of US$388 million.

Other apartments in the building start at US$36 million, making this one of the most expensive places to live in the world.

With 35,000 square foot of space, ready to be designed according to buyer taste, the penthouse is really a mini-mansion. Outside, a waterslide connects the dance floor to a circular infinity pool, which looks like an enormous floating glass.

2. The Manor, Los Angeles, United States

Price: US$150 million

Built in 1988 by entertainment tycoon Aaron Spelling and his wife Candy, The Manor was then bought by Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula 1 mogul Bernie Ecclestone, then aged just 23. After three years and US$20 million spent on refurbishments, she has put it back on the market.

The Manor sits on 1.9 hectares (about the size of 2.5 soccer fields) of LA's most exclusive land and has 123 rooms, including a gym, bowling alley and screening room. This would be the most expensive house ever sold in the US should it meet the asking price.

3. Beverly House, Los Angeles

Price: US$135 million

On the Beverly Hills A-list, this house famously appeared in the movie The Godfather (1972) and was the honeymoon spot for President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie. With almost 365 days of sunshine a year, the house is purpose-built to take advantage of the Californian temperature, with floor-to-ceiling windows, large cool rooms, an outdoor tennis court, swimming pool and cascading waterfalls. The terrace seats 400 and, given there is also a nightclub in the house, it has all the ingredients for a successful party.

4. One Hyde Park, London, UK

Price: US$103 million

You won't find a much more prestigious address in London than One Hyde Park. Behind it are the Candy brothers, Biritsh luxury property developers, who launched this billion-dollar complex mid-way through the recession.

Occupying an entire floor, this apartment is divided into two wings, known as The City and The Park. A 65-metre hallway connects the wings. The adjacent Mandarin Oriental hotel provides prospective owners with a 24-hour hotel concierge, spa and recreation facilities, parking and valet, use of the private wine cellar and room service.

5. Rancho San Carlos, California

Price: US$125 million

This 30-room Monterey Colonial mansion, designed in 1929 by American architect Reginald Johnson, is surrounded by 94.8 hectares of land in one of America's most sought-after addresses; Montecito, Santa Barbara. After 100 years, the Jackson family estate, with 10 residential cottages, horse paddocks and arenas, and 40.5 hectares of cultivated orchards, is finally changing hands.

6. 17 The Sherry-Netherland, New York

Price: US$95 million

Built in 1927, the property is a luxury residential hotel co-op with apartments for sale. No. 17 occupies an entire floor with seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms and a huge terrace overlooking Central Park and downtown Manhattan. Would-be owners have access to all the hotel amenities, including room service from the Harry Cipriani restaurant downstairs. But beware: The hotel requires up to US$60,000 of maintenance fees - per month.

7. The Penthouse at The Pierre Hotel, New York

Price: US$95 million

Once owned by Martin Zweig, a financial analyst who famously predicted the stock-market crash of 1987, this palatial Manhattan penthouse sprawls over three floors. But, even if you've got a spare US$95 million, interested buyers must be first vetted by the hotel committee to ensure they are up to par. With 16 bedrooms, a grand salon (formerly the Pierre ballroom), and 360-degree views over Manhattan, this has been called the most spectacular penthouse in the world.

8. Du Parc Penthouse, Geneva, Switzerland

Price: US$94 million

On the shores of Lake Geneva, surrounded by the Dents du Midi mountain range in the UNESCO-protected vineyards of the Lavaux, is the former Palace Mont-Pèlerin. It has been renovated into 24 über-modern apartments, the penthouse of which costs US$94 million.

9. Private Island Paradise, Exuma Cays, Bahamas

Price: US$85 million

This house comes with its own private island and gives Virgin tycoon Richard Branson's Necker Island a run for its money. A self-generating power source, fuel, telecommunications system and a large vegetable garden make the house almost entirely self-sufficient. Moreover, it is only an hour's plane ride from Palm Beach and completely tax-free.

10. Lyndhurst Road Mansion, London

Price: US$77 million

Step inside this North London red brick mansion and you'll understand the hefty price tag. The front door opens to a grand entrance hall with an overhanging chandelier, balustrade and marble fireplace. There is every conceivable luxury, including indoor pools, steam rooms and a cinema. Upstairs, the master bedroom with adjoining dressing room has a large half-moon-shaped window, which opens up to a view of the garden and across London, all of which can be admired from the bed.

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