Golden Bricks

Luxury has no limit. Even many great spiritual gurus are fond of luxurious lives. Once I read that founder of Indian IT giant Infosys Mr.N.R.Narayana Murthy’s monthly expenditure is just about Rs.11000. i.e. about $300. We can rarely find such modest people in the world. But usually people can’t resist spending high when they earn more. I personally feel actually the life style of this rich and famous is the real inspiration for growth in life. Check out this list of most expensive homes published by Forbes. May be they can inspire some one.


1. $165 million Beverly Hills, Calif.



Once owned by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, this expansive villa sits on six and a half acres in Beverly Hills.



A massive 75,000 square feet of living space is spread across three stories. The home boasts 29 bedrooms and 40 bathrooms.



The home was built in 1926 in the style of a Mediterranean villa and was featured in the 1972 film The Godfather. The compound comprises six buildings, three swimming pools and a movie theater.





2. Bran Castle $140 million

Brasov, Romania



Once inhabited by Romanian prince Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Count Dracula, this castle, built in 1212, sits on 20 acres.




The 17-bedroom castle rests on the top of a cliff and offers views across the countryside and surrounding mountain



The current owner, Dominic von Hapsburg, is running the home as a museum. For more information, contact Baytree Capital






3. $138 million Updown Court
Windlesham, Surrey



Larger than either Buckingham or Hampton Court palace, this 103-room home has 58 acres of gardens and woodlands, making it the idyllic English country home for those flush with cash.




Several ballrooms and grand entrance ways punctuate this house, which has a panic room, an indoor squash court, bowling alley, 50-seat cinema, helipads, space for eight limousines and a heated marble driveway






Marble bathrooms are nice, but some would say indoor spas, jacuzzis and pools with views of the grounds are better.

For more information contact Savills, Beauchamp Estates or Hamptons International


4. $135 million Hala Ranch
Aspen, Colo.



Until Tim Blixseth finishes constructing his $155 million Montana ski lodge, this 95-acre ranch owned by Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, former Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S., is the most expensive in the country.




The Starwood Ranch estate boasts a 56,000-square-foot mansion with 15 bedrooms and 16 baths.



The estate features several smaller buildings, stables, a tennis court and an indoor swimming pool.

For more information contact Joshua Saslove at Joshua & Co., or Gregory Antonsen of Christie's Great Estates.







5. $125 million Maison de L'Amitie
Palm Beach, Fla.



In 2004, Donald Trump bought former health care executive Abe Gosman's palace, Maison de L'Amitie, center, at a bankruptcy auction for $41.25 million.




With the refurbished version--complete with ballroom, conservatory and 475 feet of oceanfront--Trump is confident the property will move.



If the water is too rough on the beach, the property has a 100-foot swimming pool surrounded by gardens.

For more information contact Christina Condon at Sotheby’s International Realty.







6. $100 million Tranquility
Lake Tahoe, Nev.




Conveniently on the tax-free Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, this 210-acre property is owned by Joel Horowitz, the cofounder of Tommy Hilfiger, who built the property from scratch.






The main house has 20,000 square feet of living space, is modeled after a northern European mountain home and has a 3,500-bottle wine cellar.




An indoor swimming pool and atrium, as well as a 19-seat movie theater, ensure constant entertainment, even if snowed in.

For more information contact Shari Chase at Chase International.


7. $100 million Waterfront Estate
Istanbul, Turkey



The fifth most expensive home in the world is in a somewhat unexpected spot, located on three-quarters of an acre directly on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.





This residence offers more than 30,000 square feet of opulent living space in 64 rooms, which feature large windows looking to the water.



Details include gilded moldings and crystal chandeliers. The mansion has a rare quay that is nearly 200-feet long.

Listed with Alp Sahin at Luici Real Estate Agency.






8. Eurasia $100 million
Moscow




This sizable property consists of an 11,700-square-foot manor house, two 4,000-square-foot guest houses and a 91,000-square-foot recreation center that has a pool, Turkish and Russian baths; a gym; sauna; and lounges. The property is 15 miles from the Moscow city center






9. $99 million Bishops Avenue
Hampstead, London



Just under the $100 million mark--depending on today’s exchange rate--the Toprak Mansion was built by Turkish entrepreneur Halis Toprak.




The 28,000-square-foot house has a double staircase and glass elevator.





There is a swimming pool with a glass bridge and a Turkish bath for 20.

For more information, contact Glentree Estates.






10. 75 million Three Ponds
Bridgehampton, N.Y.




Three Ponds, which encompasses more than 60 acres of Hamptons farmland, is named for its surrounding lakes, but also features its own USGA-rated Rees Jones golf course.




Surrounding the main house are 14 gardens, a 75-foot-long swimming pool, golf pro shop, grass tennis court and a guest house.



The main house, designed by architect Allan Greenberg, has a great room with a 28-foot-high domed ceiling.

For more information contact Susan Breitenbach at Corcoran






11. $75 million The Portabello Estate
Corona del Mar, Calif.



The triple oceanfront lot along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California is only part of what makes the Portabello Estate so pricey.



The unique design resembles a nautilus shell, with a dramatic grotto surrounded by "chambers."





Built in 2002, the home has eight bedrooms and 10 full baths in nearly 30,000 square feet of ultramodern space.