It has a snow room in Mumbai and needs 600 staff to run. This isn't a hotel—it's a private home.
In the heart of Mumbai, one building redefines the meaning of 'home.' It's not just about wealth; it's a symbol of ambition, engineering, and the pinnacle of personal luxury.
Meet Antilia. Named after a mythical phantom island, this 27-floor, 173-meter tower is the private residence of billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his family.
Valued between $1 and $2 billion, it is widely considered the world's most expensive private residence after Buckingham Palace, which is Crown property.
This isn't just a glass tower. Antilia is an engineering marvel, designed to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake, a crucial feature for its location in a seismically-active zone.
The journey begins in a breathtaking lobby with nine high-speed elevators. Each is assigned to different floors, whisking guests, staff, and family to their destinations instantly.
The first six floors are dedicated to a priceless car collection. There's climate-controlled space for 168 luxury vehicles, rivaling any high-end showroom.
Forget the local mechanic. The seventh floor houses a fully-equipped car service station, ensuring the entire fleet is always in pristine, road-ready condition.
Imagine a party where crystal chandeliers cover 80% of the ceiling. The grand ballroom is a space of unparalleled opulence, designed for hosting global leaders and celebrities.
Antilia features a state-of-the-art, 50-seat movie theater with a private terrace. It's an elevated cinematic experience without ever leaving home.
A two-floor recreation center offers everything for well-being. It includes a world-class health spa, several swimming pools, a yoga studio, and a dance studio.
To escape Mumbai's tropical heat, the family can retreat to a dedicated 'snow room.' A machine churns out artificial snowflakes, creating a winter wonderland on demand.
Three floors are dedicated to open-air, terraced gardens. These aren't just for beauty; the greenery helps absorb sunlight, naturally cooling the building's interior.
The vertical gardens act as a clever energy-saving device. The plant-covered walls deflect heat, reducing the building's carbon footprint and the need for air conditioning.
A large, serene temple occupies a significant space within the residence. It serves as the spiritual heart of the home for the family, with intricate craftsmanship and design.
The family's private living quarters are on the upper floors. They offer breathtaking, panoramic views of the Mumbai skyline and the vast Arabian Sea.
A core architectural principle of Antilia is that no two floors are the same. Each level features a unique layout and is constructed with different rare materials, from mother-of-pearl to exotic woods.
The entire structure is said to be based on Vastu Shastra, the traditional Indian system of architecture. The design aims to maximize positive energy by integrating natural elements like the sun and lotus.
Why deal with traffic? The roof features three helipads, offering a quick and private way to travel across the bustling city and beyond, with its own air traffic control.
Running a vertical palace is a monumental task. A dedicated staff of approximately 600 people is required to maintain Antilia 24/7, from chefs to engineers.
From its own power grid to complex water systems and even an ice-cream parlor, Antilia operates like a small, self-sufficient town. It is a world unto itself.
The design was a collaboration between American architecture firms Perkins & Will and Hirsch Bedner Associates, bringing a global perspective to a distinctly Indian project.
Antilia stands tall in a city of stark contrasts. Its unparalleled luxury exists alongside some of Mumbai's most densely populated areas, a topic of frequent debate.
Is it a home, a corporate asset, or a modern wonder of the world? Antilia challenges our perceptions of what a private residence can be in the 21st century.
Beyond the price tag and the features, Antilia is a testament to human imagination and the engineering prowess required to build something truly extraordinary.
Love it or question it, Antilia is impossible to ignore. It's a vertical statement of power, ambition, and the creation of a personal paradise in the sky.