$525 million: Is this the world's

costliest home on sale?

Estate hosted Princess Grace, Elizabeth Taylor and Greta
Garbo

By
Staff
Published Sunday, October 05, 2014

The Villa La Fiorentina is the most expensive of any trophy property. (Pic courtesy: greatshomedesign.blogspot.com)

A Florentine palace located on a peninsula jutting into the French Riviera is assumed to be the most
expensive home in the world, according to a report.
Therese de Beauchamp villa also known as the Villa La Fiorentina on the French Riviera in Saint-JeanCap-Ferrat town, was built in 1917, is rumored to have a price tag of $525 million (Dh1.9 billion), Forbes
reported.
The property boasts unmarred views of the Mediterranean.
Though not officially on the market yet, top brokers expect the estate to go on sale soon, the magazine said.

Florentine palace located on a peninsula juts into the French Riviera (Pic courtesy Forbes)

Princess Grace, Frank Sinatra, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elizabeth Taylor and Greta Garbo are among the
rich and famous visiting the villa.
According to Forbes, it tracked down the most expensive homes for sale right now across the planet with
the help of global luxury property firms such as Savills, Knight Frank, Emile Garcin Properties, Aylesford
International London, Christies International (and its affiliates), Sothebys International, and Pinkwater
Select.
It said it included a few off-market listings (sometimes called pocket or whisper listings) when they
could confirm them with a reliable source.
The result was a list of 19 properties, all priced at $100 million or more, representing the worlds most
expensive homes for sale.
Villa La Fiorentina on the French Riviera is the most expensive of any trophy property.
Its grand size, location in prime Cap Ferrat, and spectacular views contribute to the stratospheric rumored
price point, says Royce Pinkwater, founder and CEO of Pinkwater Select, a service that advises property
investors on their global portfolios.
She describes its location overlooking the Riviera as like augmented reality.

Tour Odeon, Monaco

The second-most expensive is the sky penthouse topping the new Tour Odeon, Monacos tallest building at
558 feet, which is expected to list for as much as $400 million.

The 35,520-square-foot penthouse includes five indoor stories and an outdoor, rooftop pool complete with
a terrifyingly swooping slide.
Although the list price has not yet been unveiled, based on per-square-foot sales prices for lower units,
more than 300 million euros ($400 million) would be reasonable, says Knight Franks James Price, who
has the listing.
There is no other unit that has this livable space, with these views. You are king of the world up there,
says Price.

Los Angeles
The Owlwood Estate or The Manor, both in Los Angeles posh Holmby Hills, both priced at $150 million
and well known to be unofficially for sale, the magazine said.
Joseph Schenk, the founder of 20th Century Fox, once owned Owlwood, a 13,000 square foot Italian
Renaissance style manor at 141 S. Carolwood Drive.
Other owners included Tony Curtis, and Sonny and Cher. Marilyn Monroe also reportedly spent many a
night there as Schenks guest.
The Manor, at 56,500 square feet, is larger its actually bigger than the White House and comes with
distinctive decor.
Three years ago heiress Petra Ecclestone Stunt, the then 23-year-old daughter of Formula One billionaire
Bernie Ecclestone, snapped up the estate for $85 million from Candy Spelling, widow of 90210 and
Charlies Angels producer Aaron Spelling.
Ecclestone brought in more than 500 workers, as well as interior designer Gavin Rodin, to give the property
a thorough re-do. The foyer is now paved in white marble with a thick black stripe, according to W
magazine, and rooms are clad in velvet in moody hues.

Two Carlton House Terrace

Two Carlton House Terrace, a six-story townhome in Westminster, near Londons Buckingham Palace, is
currently listed for 75 million ($124.33 million) for a 125-year-lease.
Overlooking St. James Park and the Mall, the Neoclassical home was designed by architect John Nash and
built between 1827 and 1833. In 1970, the 26,360-square-foot townhome was converted into an office.
However, the property is approved for conversion to a six-bedroom, single-family home with a swimming
pool. (Just down the road lies 18 Carlton House Terrace, a 67,000-square-foot, 25-bedroom spread owned
by the four-billionaire brothers who control Indias Hinduja Group. That property is valued at around $500
million.) Waterfront palaces are a classic in the ultra-luxury market.
Among the worlds most expensive homes for sale right now are a 11,840-square-foot waterfront villa on
the north shore of Sardinia with a price tag of $131.5 million, a 13-bedroom mansion on a hilltop above
Cannes for $124.6 million, and a $100 million villa in Cap dAil, on the outskirts of Monaco.

Chateau Allaman
For those who prefer to own a castle, the 60-room Chateau Allaman is available on nearly 82 acres in the
Village of Allaman, 25 minutes outside of Geneva. Price tag: $131.5 million.
Built in the 13th century by the Count of Vaud, the 64,580-square-foot castle has been restored by the
current owner, developer Markus Jerger, who purchased it for a reported $13.9 million in 2005 and poured
at least $37 million into the restorations, initially hoping to turn it into luxury apartments.