When one pictures the highest standard of luxury living, their mind most likely wanders to grand estates, soaring ceilings, and marble floors, accompanied by an expansive garage, swimming pools, and a movie theater for personal use. No residential property goes beyond opulence than the current reigning champion. While wealth is certainly on display, these homes represent power, history, and architecture. Join us on an exploration of the biggest house in the world. Also, learn about these biggest homes, and what makes each property so unique..
This is the List of the Biggest House in the World:
1. Istana Nurul Iman Palace – Brunei
- Size: 2.15 million sq. ft.
- Owner: Sultan of Brunei
Known as the Biggest House in the World, this palace isn’t just a residence—it’s a statement of power and tradition. Featuring over 1,700 rooms, a 5,000-seat banquet hall, and 257 bathrooms, it’s the epitome of royal luxury.
2. Antilia – Mumbai, India
- Size: 400,000 sq. ft.
- Owner: Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries Chairman)
This 27-story skyscraper mansion is one of the most expensive homes globally. It includes three helipads, a snow room, multiple swimming pools, and accommodation for hundreds of staff.
3. Biltmore Estate – North Carolina, USA
- Size: 178,926 sq. ft.
- Owner: George Washington Vanderbilt II (originally)
America’s largest privately owned house, this 250-room mansion features gardens, vineyards, and a winery, making it a top tourist attraction today.
4. Safra Mansion – São Paulo, Brazil
- Size: 117,000 sq. ft.
- Owner: The Safra Family (Banking tycoons)
Inspired by the grandeur of Versailles, this estate has dozens of rooms, pools, and lush gardens, offering unmatched privacy and luxury.
5. Witanhurst – London, UK
- Size: 90,000 sq. ft.
- Owner: Andrey Guryev (Russian billionaire)
Second only to Buckingham Palace in size, this Georgian Revival home boasts a grand ballroom, 25 bedrooms, and lavish underground extensions.
6. Buckingham Palace – London, UK
- Size: 828,000 sq. ft.
- Owner: The British Crown
A symbol of monarchy and tradition, Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, including 52 royal and guest bedrooms, and an art collection worth billions.
7. Versailles Palace – Versailles, France
- Size: 721,000 sq. ft.
- Historical Owner: French Monarchy (Louis XIV to Louis XVI)
Famous for the Hall of Mirrors and spectacular gardens, Versailles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that set the global standard for palatial architecture.
Read More about: Versailles
8. Villa Leopolda – French Riviera, France
- Size: 80,000 sq. ft.
- Owner: Lily Safra (philanthropist, late widow of banker Edmond Safra)
This estate overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and features vast gardens, historical architecture, and a history tied to European royalty.
9. Oheka Castle – New York, USA
- Size: 109,000 sq. ft.
- Owner: Otto Hermann Kahn (originally)
Once the second-largest private residence in America, it now serves as a luxury hotel and event space, famously featured in films and TV shows.
10. Fairfield Pond – Sagaponack, New York, USA
- Size: 110,000 sq. ft.
- Owner: Ira Rennert (American investor)
This Hamptons mansion has 29 bedrooms, three swimming pools, and its own power plant, making it a modern palace of opulence.
11. La Reverie – Palm Beach, Florida, USA
- Size: 84,626 sq. ft.
- Owner: Sydell Miller (cosmetics billionaire)
Famous as one of the largest homes in Florida, it combines beachfront luxury with high-end art collections and lavish interiors.
12. Xanadu 2.0 – Medina, Washington, USA
- Size: 66,000 sq. ft.
- Owner: Bill Gates (Microsoft co-founder)
Nicknamed a “smart mansion,” this house integrates cutting-edge technology with luxury, including an artificial stream stocked with salmon and trout.
13. Maison de L’Amitié – Palm Beach, Florida, USA
- Size: 60,000 sq. ft.
- Former Owner: Donald Trump
Known for its lavish design and oceanfront views, it was sold to a Russian billionaire and remains one of Florida’s most iconic mega-mansions.
14. Hearst Castle – San Simeon, California, USA
- Size: 68,500 sq. ft.
- Owner: William Randolph Hearst (originally)
A national historic landmark, Hearst Castle features 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, and stunning coastal views. It is now a museum open to the public.
15. Maison Blanche – Lake Geneva, Switzerland
- Size: 62,000 sq. ft.
- Owner: Private Swiss Billionaire
A luxurious European mansion known for its alpine views, advanced security, and understated yet extravagant design.
Key Takeaways
- The Biggest House in the World, Istana Nurul Iman in Brunei, is in a league of its own with over 2 million square feet.
- Billionaires like Mukesh Ambani and Bill Gates own futuristic mansions that rival palaces in size and technology.
- Historic estates like Versailles, Buckingham Palace, and Hearst Castle highlight the role of architecture in showcasing power and legacy.
- These homes represent more than wealth—they symbolize cultural pride, architectural mastery, and luxury living.
Final Thoughts
A comfortable house is something that many people aspire to, but the world’s elite push the ideas of scale and luxury even further. These 15 houses redefine what it means to live in luxury – from the royal suites of Brunei to Bill Gates’ tech-savvy house. And at the top of our list, the Biggest House in the World reminds us that human creativity, combined with infinite wealth, has no limits.
