Some people want their home to serve as a place for collecting treasured items
But for the biggest houses in the world, limits do not exist
Whether it’s a 27-story skyscraper with 600 people on staff or a centuries-old palace ready to host the most prestigious dignitaries, the largest houses in the world have everything it takes to impress
Master bedrooms stretch to nearly 10,000 sq ft, while bowling alleys, 100-car garages, and multiple pools are just the tip of the iceberg
And really, what is a big home if you can’t invite over 5,000 people to enjoy your banquet hall?
Covering nearly every corner of the globe, the world’s biggest houses are ready for anything you can throw at them
#House NameSize13Pensmore72,000 sq ft12Taohuayuan72,400 sq ft11Villa Leopolda80,000 sq ft10La Reverie84,600 sq ft9Modern Versailles85,000 sq ft8Witanhurst90,000 sq ft7The One105,000 sq ft6Fair Field110,000 sq ft5Safra Mansion117,000 sq ft4Biltmore Estate175,000 sq ft3Antilia400,000 sq ft2Buckingham Palace828,800 sq ft1Istana Nurul Iman215 million sq ft
Pensmore, United States — 72,000 sq ft
Huff, Pensmore is one of the biggest houses in the world—and perhaps one of the sturdiest
The reinforced-concrete, chateau-style home is located in the Ozark Mountains and is meant to be resistant to everything from bomb blasts to natural disasters
There are 14 bathrooms, 13 bedrooms, a music room and a 1,600 square-foot library, and space for a history museum
Pensmore has been under construction on and off for over a decade… and counting
Size:72,000 sq ft / 6,689 m2Location:Highlandville, MissouriEstimated value:$10 millionOwner:Steven T
Some of the world’s biggest houses are perfectly situated for large parties and energetic fun
This one, on the other hand, is built on a lake island with stunning views and peaceful surroundings
This huge mansion rivals some of the biggest houses in America, but features distinctly Chinese architecture, even going as far as using the Classical Gardens of Suzhou, a UNESCO heritage site, as inspiration
Taohuayuan features 32 bedrooms and bathrooms, an enormous wine cellar, and a lakeside pool
Size:72,400 sq ft / 6,700 m2Location: Suzhou, ChinaEstimated value:$154 millionOwner:Hongtian ChenBuilt in:2016
The French Riviera is known as a stunningly beautiful location with jaw-dropping views and gorgeous water
It’s also known as a playground for the wealthy, and Villa Leopolda might be the perfect manifestation of that thought
With 19 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms spread across the main building and two guest houses, there is more than enough space for all of the fun you can imagine
If the interior doesn’t do it for you, step outside the most expensive house on the French Riviera, and dip in one of its 12 pools, walk through the extensive gardens, or check out the commercial greenhouse
If the luxury mansion looks familiar, that’s because it appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie To Catch a Thief
Size:80,000 sq ft / 7,400 m2Location: Villefranche-sur-Mer, FranceEstimated value:$750 millionOwner:The Safra familyBuilt in:1931
La Reverie, United States — 84,600 sq ft
You build huge mansions with everything you want
Sydell Miller hired architect Jeffery Smith to design one of the biggest houses in the US in an ideal Palm Beach location, with almost 350 feet of oceanfront coastline
As one of the biggest houses in America, it has ten rooms, an opulent library, and a basement with a bowling alley and game room
The exterior is covered in stone and features large Roman arches over the window and loggia openings
Size:84,600 sq ft / 7,900 m2Location: Palm Beach, Florida, USAEstimated value:$111 millionOwner:Steven SchonfeldBuilt in:2001
9 Modern Versailles, United States — 85,000 sq ft
As you can imagine, constructing America’s largest family home is a monumental task
Situated in Florida’s exclusive Orange County, this mega mansion is inspired by the Palace of Versailles in France
How about an 8,000 sq ft master bedroom, 11 kitchens, outdoor and indoor pools, a wine cellar, two tennis courts, and a 35-car garage?
Two elevators are on the luxury property, one of which is reported to feature extensive use of gold
In the documentary Queen of Versailles, the Siegels famously said, “We’re sorry we ever started
Size:85,000 sq ft / 7,900 m2Location: Windermere, Florida, USAEstimated value:$100 millionOwner:Jacqueline and David SiegelBuilt in:2004-2023
8 Witanhurst, United Kingdom — 90,000 sq ft
The second-largest home in the United Kingdom, Witanhurst, was designed by architect George Hubbard and built over a century ago
Before the 2008 sale to Russian businessman Andrey Guryev, it was reported to be in a state of disrepair, showing how the world’s biggest houses are subject to the same laws of time as other homes
Now, it is ready again to host guests in its 25 bedrooms on three floors, gym, sauna, movie theater, and billiards room
Size:90,000 sq ft / 8,400 m2Location: London, UKEstimated value:$450 millionOwner:Safran Holdings, Andrey GuryevBuilt in:1913
7 The One, United States — 105,000 sq ft
When Nile Niami set out to create one of the biggest mansions in the world, his goal was to create something that only a select few people can afford
Featuring a four-lane bowling alley, a 45-seat movie theater, and a full indoor/outdoor nightclub with a VIP section, The One is ready to host extravagant parties, all without leaving the comfort of your home
This luxury mansion also has a 5,000 sq ft master bedroom to stretch out in, and a garage with enough space to hold a museum’s worth of expensive cars
Size:105,000 sq ft / 9,755 m2Location: Bel Air, California, USAEstimated value:$141 millionOwner:Richard SaghianBuilt in:2013
6 Fair Field, United States — 110,000 sq ft
Owned by businessman Ira Rennert, Fair Field is a marvelous Italian Renaissance-style mega mansion located in the Hamptons
To put that into perspective, it is twice the size of the White House
As one of the biggest private homes in America, it comprises 29 bedrooms, 39 bathrooms, three pools, a bowling alley, a 164-seat theater, and a garage for 100 luxury cars
The luxury estate even has its own power plant
It’s also a mega-mansion mired in controversy that inspired a novel—James Brady’s The House That Ate the Hamptons
Size:110,000 sq ft / 10,219 m2Location:Sagaponack, NY, USAEstimated value:$250 millionOwner:Ira RennertBuilt in:2003
5 Safra Mansion, Brazil — 117,000 sq ft
Located in the prestigious Morumbi suburb of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Safra Mansion is tucked behind a large set of security gates
Unfortunately, for those curious about the details of this huge mansion, not much is publicly available
We do know it boasts a massive 117,000 sq ft of space with at least 130 rooms and multiple pools
Perhaps one day, the reclusive Safra family, who also owns one of the world’s most expensive houses, will open the doors to unveil what’s hidden inside one of the largest houses in the world
Size:117,000 sq ft / 10,900 m2Location: São Paulo, BrazilEstimated value:UnknownOwner:Vicky SafraBuilt in:1895
4 Biltmore Estate, United States — 175,000 sq ft
Built by the well-known Vanderbilt family, the Biltmore Estate has it all
There are an incredible 250 rooms and 43 bathrooms
And if you’re a big reader, then the library with 23,000 books might make you drool even more than the three kitchens
The design of the biggest home in America takes inspiration from French châteaux (castles), complete with a sprawling lawn and multiple gardens
With that much greenery, the two dedicated water sources are a vital piece of the puzzle
Want to see what the inside of this luxury house looks like?
Public tours of the massive estate are available, along with lodging for guests on the same property
Size:175,000 sq ft / 16,300 m2Location: Asheville, North Carolina, USAEstimated value:$157 millionOwner:The Biltmore CompanyBuilt in:1889-1895
Some people with deep pockets choose to go far away from crowds and hit the open countryside with sprawling estates
His 27-story skyscraper towers over the neighboring buildings and is filled with the epitome of luxurious touches
The luxury home includes a rooftop helipad with space for three helicopters, enough parking for 168 of his favorite rides (including some of the world’s most expensive cars), and several guest apartments
But what billionaire’s luxury home would be complete without an indoor swimming pool, a theater, and multiple spas and gyms?
Size:400,000 sq ft / 37,000 m2Location: Mumbai, IndiaEstimated value:$2 billionOwner:Mukesh AmbaniBuilt in:2006-2012
2 Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom — 828,800 sq ft
As home to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, Buckingham Palace is certainly one of the most recognizable royal residences in the world
The most expensive house in the world, Buckingham Palace has 19 staterooms available to host any dignitary, while the 775 rooms and 78 bathrooms ensure that no one feels cramped
Unlike most on this list of the biggest houses in the world, public tours of the 48-acre Buckingham Palace Gardens and parts of the interior are available
Size:828,800 sq ft / 77,000 m2Location: London, UKEstimated value:$49 billionOwner:King Charles III, in right of the British CrownBuilt in:1703
1 Istana Nurul Iman, Brunei — 215 million sq ft
When you’re expecting thousands of your closest friends to come over for a party, finding the space might be challenging
His extravagant palace—Istana Nurul Iman (“Light of Faith Palace“)—houses 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, a mosque with a 1,500-person capacity, and of course, a banquet hall equipped for 5,000 people
The royal garage is downright massive with spaces for all the world’s most expensive cars, while the air-conditioned stable can hold over 200 horses
Sitting at over 2 million square feet, Istana Nurul Iman is the world’s largest private residence—and a jaw-dropping feat of architecture designed by Leandro V
Size:215 million sq ft / 200,000 m2Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, BruneiEstimated value:$14 billionOwner:Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal BolkiahBuilt in:1984
13 biggest houses in the world: conclusion
Istana Nurul Iman: 215 million sq ft
Buckingham Palace: 828,800 sq ft
Totaling more than 4 million square feet, the 11 largest houses in the world can make your wildest dreams come true
Whether it’s the biggest houses in America or the luxury mansions where prominent political figures reside, there’s certainly no shortage of space
Frequently asked questions about the biggest houses in the world
The biggest house in the world is the Istana Nurul Iman, with a massive 215 million sq ft (200,000 m2)
It is located in Brunei and serves as the residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah
This huge mansion has a 5,000-person banquet hall
The top 10 biggest houses in the world are the Istana Nurul Iman, Buckingham Palace, Antilia, Biltmore Estate, Safra Mansion, Fair Field, The OneWitanhurst, Modern Versailles, and La Reverie
They are situated all over the world, and you can read the full details in our list of the biggest houses in the world
What is the largest private home in the world?
If you exclude Istana Nurul Iman and Buckingham Palace because they are homes to government officials, the largest private home in the world is Antilia, a 400,000 sq ft (37,000 m2) skyscraper in Mumbai, India, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani
Which celebrity has the biggest house?
The biggest houses in the world are owned by many influential and famous people
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, resides in the world’s largest house, the Istana Nurul Iman with 215 million sq ft
Buckingham Palace, a residence for the reigning Monarch of the UK, is the second-largest house with 828,800 sq ft
The famous Jacqueline and David Siegel own one of the biggest houses in the world (When and if completed, that is), the 85,000 sq ft Modern Versailles, as featured in the documentary Queen of Versailles
Just how large can a house get?
For most people, anything more than a couple of bedrooms and bathrooms is considered luxurious
However, these massive dwellings owned by the world’s elite bring extravagance to the next level!
Today we’ll be taking a look at 10 of the largest houses in the world, and learning what makes each one stand out–aside from the impressive size, of course
While castles, palaces, and official residences certainly hold their own in terms of size, we’ll be excluding them from this list and focusing strictly on houses
Location: Washington, USA
Unique Feature: Cutting-edge design and technology
This massive mansion overlooks Lake Washington and is home to the renowned Bill Gates
Xanadu 20 took around seven years to build, and features a stunning Pacific Lodge style in its architecture
Bill Gates is currently the second richest man in the world, and spent 63 million USD on his lush mansion
Xanadu 20 was designed and built with environmental sensitivity in mind, along with the most current computer technology and accommodations
Chateau Pensmore
Location: Missouri, USA
Unique Feature: Built with durability as the primary focus
Source: houzzcom
Built with practicality in mind, Chateau Pensmore was built to be energy efficient and resistant to disasters
The mansion was even built to withstand bomb blasts and tornadoes, with exterior walls measuring up to 12 inches thick
Some of the special requirements of Chateau Pensmore even resulted in a lawsuit over reinforced concrete
Chateau Pensmore was built in close proximity to the Ozark Mountains in order to test its wide range of protective qualities against the ever-changing mountain weather
Location: Suzhou, China
Unique Feature: Located on a private island
Source: asiaonecom
Taohuayuan, a jaw-droppingly beautiful mansion worth 149 million USD, is recognized as the most expensive home ever sold in mainland China
This astoundingly large home features 32 bedrooms and 32 bathrooms, a wine cellar, a swimming pool, and an ornamental pond and gardens
Taohuayuan is located on a private island in Dushi, China’s largest lake
The rooms and windows of the mansion are deliberately designed for the best possible lake scenery and natural light, with most windows facing south
Location: Florida, USA
Year Built: 2016-present
Unique Feature: Modeled after the Palace of Versailles
Versailles, the extravagant home of Jackie and David Siegel, was inspired by and named after the Palace of Versaille in France
Its sprawling expanse and intricate design have dragged its construction out over the course of many years, but the Siegels confirmed via social media that the end was finally in sight
The Versailles mansion boasts a set of over-the-top commodities such as an ice skating rink, massive walk-in closets, and 10 different kitchens to choose from
Location: London, UK
Unique Feature: Georgian Revival architecture
This gorgeous mansion is located in Highgate in Northwest London, and is maintained by Historic England
Witanhurst has evolved through many rejected and altered renovation plans, and is currently undergoing a subterranean expansion that will make room for plenty of lavish accommodations
Witanhurst, while quickly becoming famous for its size and continued expansion, remains mysterious for a key reason
Location: California, USA
Unique Feature: A private casino and marble and glass construction
Source: wmagazinecom
Expected to be the most expensive house ever sold once it’s put on the market, the mansion known as “The One” was built with the intention to redefine luxury
Tentatively priced at 500 million USD, The One comes with a 5,000 square foot master bedroom and even its own casino!
To top it all off, the house also features a bowling alley and designer walls made out of jellyfish tanks
The One is such a jaw-droppingly lavish home that it surpasses the title of “mansion,” qualifying instead as a “giga-mansion”
Location: New York, USA
Unique Feature: Multiple pools and oceanfront view
Located in the Hamptons on Long Island, NY, the Fairfield Pond mansion has a history steeped in controversy
Claims have been made that the owner of Fairfield Pond, Ira Rennert, raided the funds of his now defunct mining company to pay for the sprawling mansion
This lavish mansion features three swimming pools, two pool houses, and a playhouse
Safra Mansion
Safra Mansion
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Unique Feature: Ample privacy and curved shape
Source: virtualglobetrottingcom
The Safra Mansion is home to the unusually secretive family of Joseph Safra, who is recognized as the richest banker in the world
The Safra family took it upon themselves to move to Brazil due to concerns about maintaining their privacy, and put three Upper East Side mansions up for sale
The three New York mansions for sale are located just a block away from Edmond J
Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate
Location: North Carolina, USA
Unique Feature: Châteauesque architecture
The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned house in the United States, and serves as a major tourist attraction in North Carolina
The Biltmore Estate was created by George W
He drew inspiration from his many travels that influenced the unique design of his home
Location: Mumbai, India
Unique Feature: Skyscraper height
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Source: wikimediaorg
Antilia is the largest house in the world by area
The home of business tycoon Mukesh Ambani and his family, Antilia is estimated to be around 2 billion USD in value
This ranks it as the second most expensive home in the world after Buckingham Palace
Many of the locals frown upon the extravagance of this home, which contrasts starkly with the area’s widespread poverty
Antilia makes a distinct appearance in the Mumbai skyline, standing at 550 feet tall