13 Biggest Houses in the World

The dream of owning a home is something most of us desire. The ability to call a house your own is quite an achievement. Especially in the current climate where house prices are through the roof. For many, a small apartment or two-bedroom home is about all they can afford. But what if you had millions of dollars to play around with? How big a house could you buy, or even build? This has led us to explore the biggest houses in the world. 

These luxury abodes are located across the globe, from New York and Los Angeles to London and Mumbai. Most of them are owned by elite members of society who have more money than they know what to do with.

The houses on this list are massive mansions with dozens of rooms, multiple bathrooms, and large outdoor areas. Many have special rooms and luxurious features we normal folk can only dream about having in our homes. They also cost an absolute fortune. Some of these properties are not only massive but worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Put simply, these are homes you can only think about owning. 

So prepare to get jealous as we list the 13 biggest houses in the world. 

13. Fair Field, Hamptons, Long Island, United States (64,000 square feet)

The Hamptons, just outside of New York, is home to many rich and famous people who have grand houses. The likes of Jay-Z and Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, and Jerry Seinfeld all have holiday homes in the area. But none of their homes are quite as spectacular as Far Field. Owned by junk bond financier Ira Rennert, this mansion is reportedly worth between $267-500 million.

The Hampton home is said to have 29 bedrooms and 39 bathrooms because you never know when someone might need the loo. There are also two bowling alleys, an indoor basketball court, a 164-seat theater room, and a couple of squash courts. Fair Field also comes with a hot tub rumored to have cost $150,000.

As well as being one of the biggest houses in the world, Fair Field has been mired in controversy thanks to Rennert. He was accused of using funds from MagCorp to fund the building of his luxury home. He was found guilty and forced to pay the company over $200 million in damages. 

12. Xanadu 2.0, Lake Washington, Seattle, United States (66,000 square feet)

This mansion overlooking Lake Washington is owned by Bill Gates and his ex-wife Melinda. While it was once the couple’s family home for many years, since the two got divorced, nobody is quite who owns the house or lives there. The mansion is a collaborative design by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and Cutler-Anderson Architects of Bainbridge Island. 

The 60,000 square feet abode is estimated to be worth around $130 million. For some reason, it has 24 bathrooms but only has seven bedrooms. There’s also a trampoline room, an art-deco movie theater, and a 60 feet outdoor/indoor swimming pool that has its own underwater music system. Another feature is the dome-shaped roof and private library. 

11. Pensomre, Highlandville, Missouri, United States (72,215 square feet)

Located high up in the Ozark Mountains, this expensive house is one of the largest in America. Designed by Steven Huff, an astrophysicist and former CIA officer, Pensomre is built to withstand just about any natural disaster imaginable. Impervious to earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, and even bomb blasts, this five-story mansion is the type of building the President of the United States would feel safe in. 

This incredible construction is made from unique insulated concrete that results in 12-inch thick walls. There are 13 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, but that’s about all we know about the interior. It’s still unclear whether the house is actually complete, with several lawsuits having impacted the build over the years.

10. Taohuayuan House, Suzhou, China (72,400 square feet)

The biggest house in China is some 72,4000 square feet and is located on a private island. Taking three years to complete, Taohuyuan House – Taohuyuan translates to ‘Utopia’ or ‘Peace Blossom Land,’ which makes sense when you consider how beautiful it is – consists of ​​32 bedrooms and 32 bathrooms. Decked out with traditional Chinese furnishings, this mansion also has a walk-in cellar and a  huge infinity pool.

Outside the grounds resemble a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with lush greenery, a large lake, a waterfall, and manicured gardens. It is believed Taohuayuan House sold for $154 million in 2016 to an unnamed buyer, making it the most expensive house ever sold in China. 

9. Villa Leopolda, The French Riviera, France (80,000 square feet)

The French Riviera is home to many luxurious mansions, but none are as big as Villa Leopolda. Designed by American architect Ogden Codman Jr., this imposing structure was built between 1929 and 1931 and once housed King Albert I. It was used as a medical hospital during World War I and had many rich and famous owners until Brazilian billionaires Edmond and Lily Safra took ownership in 1987. It is currently owned by Russian oligarch ​​Mikhail Prokhorov.

Estimated to be one of the most expensive homes in Frace, Villa Leopolda sits on 50 acres and boasts 19 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, 12 swimming pools, and a private theater. The grounds also include a commercial greenhouse, outdoor kitchen, and helipad.  

Villa Leopolda is believed to be one of the most expensive homes in all of Europe with a price tag of $750 million. 

8. Versailles House, Windermere, Florida (85,000 square feet)

Inspired by the Chateau of Versailles in Paris, Versailles House is owned by Westgate Resorts founder David Siegel and his wife Jackie. Construction on the couple’s dream home initially began way back in 2004 before money troubles hit and work stalled around 2009.

Building eventually resumed in 2013 and was scheduled to be finished in 2016 but further problems have plagued the construction. The mansion is now set to finally be completed sometime this year, but considering the track record of the build, that could change. 

Versailles House is being built on a man-made hill and is set to feature 14 bedrooms, nine kitchens, 32 bathrooms, and a ballroom with a capacity of 1,000 people. There are also three pools (one indoor, two outdoor), a video arcade, a yoga studio, two movie theaters, a bowling alley, an exotic-fish aquarium, and a 20,000-bottle wine cellar. 

7. Wintanhurst Mansion, London, England (90,000 square feet)

Wintanhurst Mansion is the second largest estate in England, coming in at a whopping 90,000 square feet. This impressive abode was designed by architect George Hubbard and took seven years to complete. It has had several high-profile owners over the journey including soap magnate Sir Arthur Crosfield, Kuwaiti businessman Mr. Al-Hasouwy, and Russian billionaire Andrey Guryev. Wintanhurst Mansion is currently valued at around $450 million. 

The property has 65 rooms with 25 bedrooms, a gym, a sauna, a billiards room, and a massage parlor. The rooms are said to be richly decorated, with oak flooring and timber wood paneling throughout. Large basement extensions have also been made, although nobody is quite sure what lies below. 

6. The One, Bel Air, California, United States (105,000 square feet)

No house has had such a troubled past as The One. The mega-mansion in Bel Air is one of the biggest and most expensive homes in the United States. Owned by film producer Nile Niami, it took eight years for the mansion to be completed, with the final touches only coming in 2021.

The 105,000 square feet property was initially put on the market before completion for $500 million, but the price dropped to $295 million after zero interest. It was eventually sold for $127 million in March 2022 to Fashion Nova owner Richard Saghain. So what does Saghain get for his millions?

Designed by architect Paul McClean, The One is split into four sections and contains 21 bedrooms and 42 bathrooms. Other notable features include a beauty salon, bowling alley, a 30-seat movie theater, five swimming pools, a 10,000 square feet sky deck, a nightclub, and an underground 50-car garage. 

5. Safra Mansion, Sao Paulo, Brazil (117,000 square feet)

The Safra’s, Edmond and Lily, who once owned Villa Leopolda on the French Riveria also own this impressive compound in Brazil. The largest private residence in Sao Paulo, the banking family built the mega-mansion to escape the spotlight and live in privacy.

Located in the Morumbi area, there isn’t a lot known about the 117,000 square feet property. The Safra’s are notoriously private and few civilians have been let into the home. 

The details that have been released list the Safra mansion as having a whopping 130 rooms, both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a giant wall that surrounds the property to keep unwanted eyes out. How much the estate is worth is also up for debate, but many believe it to be in the hundreds of millions.

4. Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina, United States (178, 926 square feet)

This picturesque mansion is the biggest house in America. The Biltmore Estate was built between 1889 and 1895 for art collector ​​George Washington Vanderbilt II. The main house is chateau-inspired and comes with a head-scratching 250 rooms. Why you would need so many rooms is anyone’s guess, but Vanderbilt II obviously wanted options.

There are 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, and a massive indoor swimming pool. One of the highlights of the sprawling property is the 23,000-book library that contains many classic and first editions.

Today Biltmore Estate serves as a historic house museum and tourist attraction, with people able to spend the night on the grounds. There are two different hotels, several wineries, restaurants, and gift shops that make up the property. It is a great place for a weekend getaway.

3. Antilia, Mumbai, India (400,000 square feet)

This eye-opening 27-story high complex in Mumbai is owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani. He and his family moved into the luxurious building in 2012. Named after the mythical island Antillia, Ambani’s high rise is regarded as the most expensive private residence in the world, costing somewhere between $1-2 billion to build.

The 500 feet tall building was constructed by two different design companies and is earthquake-proof. This traditional style of Indian building means that no two floors are the same. The top six floors are residential areas where Ambani and his family live. The other floors contain a pool, spa, gym, a 50-seat theater, health center, temple, and even a snow room that produces real snow. Six of the floors are taken up by garages that can hold 168 cars while there are three helipads on the roof. 

Around 600 staff are required to maintain the home, although we are sure Ambani can afford these considering the size of his fortune. 

2. Buckingham Palace, London, England (828,820 square feet)

King Chalres’ regal abode is over 300 years old and home to the royal family. It is the biggest house in all of the United Kingdom. Although not a private residence – it is owned by the Crown Estates – the recently installed King spends much of his time there so it deserves a spot on this list. 

Buckingham Palace has an incredible 775 rooms scattered throughout its five floors. There are 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms, 52 resident bedrooms, and 19 staterooms. In case the King has any important mail to send out there is a post office on the grounds, along with a jeweler’s workshop to fix his crown if the jewels come loose. There is also a cinema, swimming pool, and doctor’s surgery. Huge garden areas surround the Palace where the King often holds parties and official ceremonies. 

Republican fans can even visit Buckingham Palace during the summer months. The public is allowed access to 19 staterooms and the gardens, getting a small glimpse at life as a royal. 

1. Istana Nurul Iman Palace, Brunei (2,152,782 square feet)

It’s no surprise Istana Nurul Iman Palace tops the list of the biggest houses in the world. The 2,152,782 square feet palace is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. Anyone of that stature is sure to live in a grandiose property. Istana Nurul Iman Palace also plays host to the Brunei government. 

Designed by Leandro V. Locsin and built by Ayala International, the palace cost close to $1.5 billion. Known as the Light of Faith Palace, the monstrous home has ​ 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and a 110-car garage. There is also a ballroom that can hold up to 5,000 guests and a mosque that can accommodate 1,500 followers. Bolkiah, a lover of polo, has a safe haven for his 200 ponies, with an air-conditioned stable on the grounds.

The Guinness World Records considers Nurul Iman Palace to be the “world’s largest residential palace.“