The $1 billion house

Yeah, you read correctly, the $1 billion house, that’s not Rupee or Yen. MSN released news today (MSN has taken the article down for some reason) that India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, is in the process of building a new home in Mumbai that currently has an estimated value of $1 billion.

Forbes estimated Ambani’s net worth at $43 billion in March, making him the 5th richest person in the world. Reliance Industries was founded by Mukesh’s father, Dhirubhai Ambani, in 1966, and is India’s most valuable firm by market capitalization.

£70 million is what currently The Most Expensive House In The World was purchased for. There’s no doubt that this property will completely smash that record when or if it ever gets sold in the future. The home will cost more than a hotel or high-rise of similar size because of its custom measurements and fittings. How swanky, aye?

I recently said, you have to be an idiot to spend £70 million on a house, but I was just being facetious. But I actually mean it when I say that you have to be the ultimate idiot to spend $1 billion on a property for, and I quote, “Ambani plans to occasionally use the residence for corporate entertainment”. I don’t think there’s any justification for spending that much on a house, besides from being an extreme egotist. Even Bill Gates doesn’t have a home worth a fraction of that; $125 million for his home. The only remotely comparable high-rise property currently on the market is the $70 million triplex penthouse at the Pierre Hotel in New York.

I just can’t imagine what you could possibly spend on a house that would make its value $1 billion. One thing is for sure, I’m sure it’s filled with complete unnecessary bullshit like gold toilet paper holders. Ambani’s architect has said the first floors of the skyscraper mansion will be reserved for parking. Immediately above will be lodgings for servants and their families. Eight floors have been reserved for “entertainment,” including a mini-theatre and a number of swimming pools, and several more floors will house a health club and rooms for guests.

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Group is India’s largest private company, with interests in oil, retail and biotechnology. The 50-year-old became the country’s first rupee trillionaire this week. Him and his family currently live in a 14-storey building, while they await to move into their home, which should be ready by next year. Yeah, apparently 14-stories just isn’t enough space for him, his wife, his mother, and his 3 children.

The new $1 billion building, named Antilla after a mythical island, will have a total floor area greater than Versaille: 60-storey palace with helipad, health club and six floors of car parking (who the fuck needs six floors for parking?). Draped in hanging gardens, the building will have a floor for a home theatre, a glass-fronted apartment for guests, and a two-storey health club. As the ceilings are three times as high as a normal building’s, the 173-metre tower will have only 27 floors. Apparently Mukesh and his family see it necessary to have 600 members of full-staff to move into the new home, too. What the fuck would you need 600 members of staff for? I imagine he has people on standby to scrape the toe-jam out from under his royal toes. 1 man for each toe. 600 members of staff in a residential home, unbelievable. Of course, providing 600 jobs is NEVER a bad thing.

This guy has serious problems in my opinion, he could single-handedly fix up living conditions for millions of people in India but instead he builds a playhouse that he’ll never really need, in the middle of a poor country which is populated by 1.1 billion people that live in abysmal poverty, with tens of millions regularly receiving insufficient nourishment. I wonder how many of those precious square feet will actually be touched by his feet.

He’s a wealthy guy, and I’m sure he worked hard to get to where he is, so good for him. Further more, I’m sure his empire has created thousands of jobs for people, which is all very cool. But even if someone has more money than they know what to do with, I don’t think building a $1 billion house is justifiable. Fuck, build a thousand schools for disabled children or something, you crazy, crazy man!!

All financial talk aside, I’m not gonna’ lie, homie, that’s one swish looking crib. Impressive.

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Talk / 66 Comments

lillycat wrote this on 2007-08-14 23:34:19 woah. this makes me sick becuase india is in trouble with poverty and social problems beyond anything. that's why alot of indians are moving to the usa and elsewhere to escape the horrors of this country. india is demeaning to women too. one I talked to was alwys apologizing to her husband for everything and she cried all the time and her poor baby was messed up with no attention given by the father she would constantly ask me for help but I was broke and just moved in so I tried to help but her husband beat her. i felt sorry for her. she told me india is dying. it is. all becuase people like this rich wipe are destroying our planet and people by making the $ divinde even bigger and inducing alot of problems into our world, if they would give 10 percent, just 10 percent, they would end alot of problems. 1

fred wrote this on 2007-08-16 18:04:27 it also makes me sick to see that, that man is going to spend all that amout on just building ahouse yet there other people who're suffering from several diseases, they don't have enough drugs,hunger and many more, mostly in Africa and even his own c'try. 2

Christophe Meert wrote this on 2007-08-20 12:01:42 I don't see the problem: if this guy builds a billion dollar home, it simply means this money will be distributed to the people again. Would you prefer he lived in a little shed and kept the billion dollars in his pocket ?

Your house could save people. The money you spend on your car could save people. Every dollar you spend could save people. If his house makes you sick, go live in a wooden box and give all you earn to the poor instead of pointing a finger.

This guy distributes a billion dollar and will give 600 persons a job. Great !!! Every billionaire should build such a house ! 3

The Landlord wrote this on 2007-08-20 16:46:05 The amount he earns could save a country. That's the difference.

Moreover, I just think it's bad taste to build something like that in the middle of poverty.

I agree though, creating 600 jobs is never a bad thing. 4

emma wrote this on 2007-08-23 19:17:40 i think if he has the money he is entitled to a huge mansion but god there is a limit!!! i think he could have saved so many lives if he'd just brought what he needed and gave alot to charity...i mean its obvious that they're probably only gonna live on like the first three or four stories then the rest will just gather dust. HE DESERVES A GOOD SLAP!!! he is so inconsiderate... and whats he gonna do if the top floor catches fire and the rest of the house just caves underneath...he'll be pretty screwed if you ask me!!!
from emma dowling age 13 5

Jake wrote this on 2007-08-24 01:57:04 "social problems beyond anything. that’s why alot of indians are moving to the usa and elsewhere to escape the horrors of this country. india is demeaning to women too. one I talked to was alwys apologizing to her husband for everything and she cried all the time and her poor baby was messed up with no attention given by the father she would constantly ask me for help but I was broke and just moved in so I tried to help but her husband beat her."


-You know one Indian. There are a billion genius. 6

mavel wrote this on 2007-08-27 17:40:22 i think the problem with this guy is that he dont know why God released such aboundant of money to him i wont say he is the most had working guy he deserve to be wealth but the truth is that he have the favour of God upon his life, i pray let God deliver him and direct him how to use his money to the glory of God. 7

aaron wrote this on 2007-08-31 16:08:54 OMG....all i can say is my dad works hard for his money and yea we do have alot of money and live in a 14 million dollar house but we also give alot to..we take in kids and adults from uganda and let them stay at our house..we also feed them and do everything else..people who have money should get nice things but never a 1billion dollar house...our house is actaully very big for 14 million dollars..and i would also like to say that my dad makes his money with three other people and they actually have to work they dont have thousands or even millons of workers..so in a way he really does work therefore doesnt deserve that 1 billion dollar house.so if he ever sees this, which he wont, he just really needs to think of everyone else not just himself..
and im not stuck up the only reason we got this house is because we knew we wanted to take in kids, which we have about 100 kids staying woth us at a time and then we let them go back to there lives, but first we build them this house..so for the people who think im rich stuck up IM NOT..IM CURRENTLY SHARING A ROOM WITH 3 KIDS FROM UGANDA.. 8

aaron wrote this on 2007-08-31 16:15:55 srry i made a couple of mistakes there..when i said in a way he really does work therefore....and so on i meant doesnt.and when i said woth i meant with..k...thats all. bye and have a good day 9

comi wrote this on 2007-09-02 07:18:35 To the guy who says that is good that he gives jobs to 600 people.. first off all that guy had to rip off 500.000 people of there money to make the payment on his house. 10

Lucynda Riley wrote this on 2007-09-04 14:36:46 Well, it is his money and he can do what ever he wants with it. it seems a little crazy to want that much of a house though. And who really needs 600 servants. I imagine most of them are going to be paid to sit on there buts most of the time.

Just because he has a lot of money doesn't mean he came by it dishonestly. For all we know he could be donating a lot of money to the poor, its just not being talked about in this article. 11

Brandi wrote this on 2007-09-12 18:53:05 WOw he could like solve world huger with that much money thats too much money for one person to have i think he should divide it and share it. 12

Daemon wrote this on 2007-09-19 15:30:43 THIS HOUSE SEEMS VERY UNNECESSARY... 13

Samir wrote this on 2007-09-21 22:48:59 The rich get rich because they know when to buy.
He bought the land for Rs 21 crores (5 million USD in 2007 money, using 2003 rate about 4.6 million)
So i doubt it would cost a billion in construction costs. Property rates in Bombay have gone up substantially. Almost tripled or more in some areas, but construction cost havent gone up that much.

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=15&contentid=2007070402230678177c1294e&pageno=1 14

Jess. wrote this on 2007-10-15 23:31:47 WOOOOOAH.

(: 15

tjns wrote this on 2007-10-25 08:39:08 we should tell this guy to give some money to the starving people instead of wasting it on a (what i call) crappy house. he is no more fricken important than anyone else in this world!!!!!!! 16

Chirag wrote this on 2007-10-28 09:36:44 I just realised how bloody jealous the west gets when the east one ups their asses.
Mukesh Ambani and Relaince is a major factor why India's turning into the Economic Powerhouse it is...
All the west see in India is poverty...
Goddamned dimwitted schmucks! 17

Nakul wrote this on 2007-11-02 08:03:45 such are the aspirations of the 'new' rich guys.they r irreponsible towards society.
can never see Tatas or any established businessmen do something like this.these newly emerged trillionaires lack class n subtelty. 18

Nakul wrote this on 2007-11-02 08:05:14 All bass no class. 19

Taya wrote this on 2007-11-02 09:50:51 A billion $ house, r u kidding me. Donate the money to cancer research and HIV/AIDS treatment, especially in Malawi.Thats more than showin off 20

Udit wrote this on 2007-11-02 17:52:44 It's his money and he got it after 25 years of hard work, was kicked off from Stanford for taking interest in father's business, had to work for 18 hours a day when he was young and millionaire's son, still working hard at the age of 50 and he deserves all his money he has. Who says he doesn't help poor people. His company gives 90000 jobs. A country's biggest company having maximum share holders.

Yes $ 1 BN is too much, but think of other hollywood starts, who waste millions for wines, night clubs, fighting their cases in court for their bad deeds like driving. Its better to have a billion dollar house and keep mom, wife and children happy. 21

Nick Murden wrote this on 2007-11-05 00:04:54 lol, 1 billion. It's a smart move, if it costs 500 million to build. There will be some moron who will buy it...then he can build another two...and create a street. 22

cline wrote this on 2007-11-06 05:19:02 wow, that'll be pretty amazing when its done, and in one year too? Why are people so negative about this? Its going to be a great achievement in real estate. Whether he's a bad person or not has nothing to do with the fact that he's going to build something really cool. 23

akaash wrote this on 2007-11-08 23:01:56 in response to the post about how it's super beneficial to build the house because of the jobs you create and people you employ for the building, this is a pretty absurd justification of the foul excess of an even more foul man. If he instead donated it for instance to roadway and infrastructure development, or education, not only would this employ people in the setting up and building of the schools and roads etc.. but the end product would also be useful to other human beings. Capitalism run a muck is exactly why india isn't liberalizing as quickly as the west would like. In addition however this to me seems to be one of the largest flaws in indian society, that those of higher caste in general feel that it's their god given right to have what they have in a lot of cases. I am very proud to be Indian because there are so many marvelous eccentricities, and so much history. It is people like this however that make me ashamed of certain aspects of being Indian. This is one of the most blatantly revolting displays of excess and disregard for the human condition that I have ever seen. 24

John wrote this on 2007-11-18 05:46:52 After reading all this, let me put in my two cents. He certainly did work hard to get what he has. Who is to say that he doesn't donate to the needy while also enjoying some of his own wealth for himself? Spending money is good for the economy, so the wealth is being spread in a trickle-down effect. The problem I have with all this is that if a rich man in a developed country builds a huge house that costs a lot to build no one complains about that. No one asks why he isn't spending that money on the poor in his country or in others. He deserves his wealth as much as anyone in the developed world and has the same right to spend it as he deems fit. So if you're going to be angry at him for spending his wealth, then you should also get mad at the likes of Larry Ellison, Donald Trump, Carlos Slim, and Lakshmi Mittal, who bought a house in London for a record-setting $128 million. 25

Devraj Kapoor wrote this on 2007-11-18 06:01:33 He deserves it. He made money, he improved himself. He's the richest person in the world. It's not only a $1 billion house, it's competition among the billionaires. He's also donating probably 2-5% of his income which is going to poor people. We should be proud of him because he worked hard to increase his assets fifty times what his father gave him and created millions of jobs for poor Indians. It shows us that with hard work you can achieve anything. 26

Soham Shah wrote this on 2007-11-20 03:51:58 You guys think Inida is very poor and stuff but the fact is it is the 2nd fastest growing economy in the world and milions do not starve in India or live in slums, most people are pretty well off and almost every village has electricity and education now. And Mukesh Ambani also gives a lot to charity, its not like he does not have a heart and does not give money in charity at all. It is all about what your outlook on life is like, i wish i can reach that level in my life when i can build such a home. 27

Jayakumar wrote this on 2007-11-20 04:21:14 Most of the billion dollars will go to an US based construction company which will pay poor indian laborers a pittance to get the building constructed. Goodbye 1 billion dollars!! Probably he should build it in Euros. Might be cheaper. 28

Ajay Haque wrote this on 2007-11-29 04:01:26 I think it's up 2 him what he does with his money if you were the richest man in the world you could do something and people will still comment that you are not spending it in a proper way. In london we have homes for £100 Mill no big deal 29

robert wrote this on 2007-12-08 05:21:53 I think the guy should build a 2 billion house! why be angry at the man because hes able to do what everybody in the world would love to do (buy or build anything) their hearts desires, thats Gods will for us any ways! and whos to say the guy doesnt give money to people who need it?? just because hes building a billion dollar house you people think that more should be required of him. i understand that in the Bible it says "who much is givin, much is required"luke 12:48. but damn i bet half of you dont even give your freakin spare change to the homeless!!!! Dont judge him because he has money and u dont "approve" of what hes doing with it! im sure he doesnt give a flying F*** what you think and im sure he's not seeking anybodys approval!
when all you low-class (i say low-class because you cant appreciate somebody else being more blessed than you) people build your dream homes 400-700 thousand dollar homes i hope that somebody is there to criticize and judge you because they think your not doing enough for others and then we will see how u like it. then mabey u'd think twice about judging somebody you dont even know! thats all i wanted to say, kinda long... but stupid people need to think about what they say and their meaning behind their words befor they start talking! 30

ghjdfgjh wrote this on 2007-12-11 17:49:57 you cant buy a 1 billion dollar house 31

The Landlord wrote this on 2007-12-11 17:52:18 Yes, we know.
You can "build" one, though. 32

hazza wrote this on 2007-12-12 12:57:53 i believe that nobody needs a house that size. he's obviously just making up for lacking elsewhere(you get me)! 33

lilly wrote this on 2007-12-12 17:51:54 nice house too expensive 34

meriam wrote this on 2007-12-19 14:33:06 This guy has a serious problem! He needs a psychiatric to tone down his ego a little bit.
India is one of the poor Countries in the world with starvation and malnutrition rampant in the whole country. With his billion $s he could have built clinics, hospitals and schools not only for the wellbeing and for the education, but to create jobs as well. 35

kyle wrote this on 2008-01-03 23:58:36 easy guys he might have or might donate a good sum of his fortune to the less fortunate. Don't jump the guy just because he has money 36

peter pan wrote this on 2008-01-04 15:12:29 he should be run over by a $5.00 cow. 37

akash wrote this on 2008-01-05 17:54:26 beinjot, this house sounds like crazy idea. It looks more like a commercial building why would anyone want such a huge home to live in.

Even if he already donates billions to charity its a total waste on money.

Anyway i wish him luck on this useless loss making project. 38

Ian London wrote this on 2008-01-11 16:45:21 I agree, although am just a tad jealous! Great that so many will get jobs from this... 39

Taylor wrote this on 2008-01-15 18:26:48 I hate all those people that say " awww. the poor homeless people!" First, they should get a job if they are poor and/or in poverty. quit mooching off of the government... Why do we feel sorry for these non-working people. Disabled people get plenty of money so don't argue for them. There are plenty of jobs in freaking India...GET ONE. C0ngrats to the dude who built this house. He deserves it for working so hard to get the money to pay for it. BTW, you people that are arguing that he should divide the money, 40

Conor Maguire wrote this on 2008-01-26 13:37:18 What does all of this excess do for himself anyway? We will all die eventually.

"All my possessions,
for one moment of time".

Queen Victoria's
last words. 41

P J Esquire wrote this on 2008-02-21 20:14:08 You guys need to get over it. Do you not realise that people like this run the world for you. With out the extreme wealth we would all be pennyless. 42

vic wrote this on 2008-02-22 19:47:09 i completely agree that its a stupid thought but i dont appreciate what u say about india just to let you know india is the fastest growing country in the world and was the richest most country in the world before you white people came and took all the money and claimed to be wealthy people on india's money. indian people are the best and whereever they go they builup themselves really well not like you white who just live for bread and butter for their whole life. 43

Get a Brain wrote this on 2008-02-25 07:16:25 The guy can have his house, I don't have a problem with it! I do think if he is rich enough to build a billion dollar house he needs to like a previous poster said build some hospitals/clinics/schools!

He could do so much more for a 3rd world country like India! 44

NewTonG wrote this on 2008-03-05 03:12:06 Totally agree with, plus is my money Who are you to say what can do with my money ?? 45

manny wrote this on 2008-03-09 22:53:43 not his problem, thats the governments problem 46

AngelDemon wrote this on 2008-04-05 18:50:12 Yes, I agree that India was a good-growing country and was one of the richest in the past, and I know because you are Indian you feel bitter at all anyone says that's bad about India. But I also have to say that nowadays India has been steadily melting, no offence, vic. That Indian who had the $1 Billion house built should have used all that money for greater needs, like everyone else said/says. Not that I wish to offend Mukesh Ambani, but he really should start thinking about things that SHOULD be done instead of things that he WANTS to have been done.
That's all I can say, hope you took no offence. 47

AngelDemon wrote this on 2008-04-05 18:57:03 Yes, I can see a huge amount of truth in what you say, Christophe Meert.
Most people who are commenting on this article are saying bad things about Mukesh Ambani, but truthfully those people (the commentors) don't distribute money to the poor like they're all saying Mukesh should, that is just hypocriticsm.
Probably, the fact that Mukesh set up a 600 people staff job for his house is probably more than any of the bad-lipped commentors who are saying that he should give to charity. 48

andrei wrote this on 2008-04-17 06:40:08 1 billion $ house is just too much.what's wrong with a 100 mil $ if he has that much money.the rest to 1 billion he can give it to charity in india cause they really need it.i guess the rice is not enough 49

Dinesh wrote this on 2008-05-03 18:35:21 A rich man in a rich country can be excessive, and a rich man in a poor country cant? What logic is that. Is helping humanity not a global phenomenon. Ambani has 90K jobs in India, his companies shares have NEVER let anyone down. Even poor people have invested blindly and he has delivered. A Billion only represents 1/50 of his entire net worth. A Billion that is being SPENT and will circle back in the economy. 50

unScarred wrote this on 2008-05-17 18:43:05 this creepy-hairy ass moron needs to re-calculate his pocket. he now deserves to pass out with typhoid. now why dont you build another billion dollar warehouse to store all your craps ?? 51

alison wrote this on 2008-05-18 11:39:44 if id that much money i would do the same. its his money he can do what he wants with it. 52

Andreas wrote this on 2008-05-22 17:13:06 I feel that he should be able to spend his money how he wishes. Put it this way, if he can spend $1bn on a house then he obviously has a lot more money than that, so he give that to the charities. 53

Carl wrote this on 2008-05-30 22:50:31 I think its wonderful what he's doing. Who said we all have to be the same. I'm not rich. this man's ability to create jobs is why he gets to live so well. If somebody gives you something and you don't deserve it....no matter what it is...that causes problems. The majority of you complained....which makes me think your compassion...you cries that he do something else with HIS money...stems from your own weakness. Make the strong weaker and you don't have to feel so bad. We all aren't the same. Perhaps are souls. But you can work on that regardless of your wealth. Most of you are BEGGERS and CHOOSERS. Give me break.

I wouldn't you give a thing nor would I be told what to do with my money, if it was mine, by someone who can't figure out how to earn it.

You want to give away your money. You do it. Stop telling people who create jobs, employ others (they don't enslave them) that they are the drain on society. YOU ARE.

Some of you people have lost it. 54

Andrew wrote this on 2008-05-31 00:46:56 If hes earned his money why should he give it to charity, its his for god sake, if half these poor people had that amount of money they'd keep it too. Good on him 55

sarko wrote this on 2008-06-06 20:51:57 shame. it is areal shame. ooooooooohhh. people are diying of hunger. one billion can build can provide refuge to millions of homeless. 56

Romin wrote this on 2008-06-08 22:30:37 It is his money and he can do what he wants with it, but, isn't the point that he doesn't HAVE to spend it recklessly. People have been saying that by building a house instead of sitting on his money he is creating jobs and recirculating his wealth but there are better ways of doing this.
For example, if he spent the money on infrastructure the effect on the economy would be multiplied because it would enable other businesses to grow and create new opportunities. A residential building does not grow the economy, it only provides a set number of jobs and maybe some added maintenance work for local companies.
By spending his money on a house his intention is self-gratification, nothing else. This is his right but demonstrates the way he thinks. I think he is showing no thought for the people who have enabled him to make his money by waiving it in their faces. He built his father's company up, which is EXTREMELY impressive, but, as far as I know, India isn't a free market economy and because of the caste system those poor people will NEVER enjoy the business opportunities he does.
Incidentally, if he just 'sat' on his money it would also contribute to the economy because banks use deposits to fund businesses and bonds and equities are also sources of funding for them. Therefore, you could say by spending on a house he is starving the economy of money. Just a thought... 57

Andy wrote this on 2008-07-17 22:17:40 My mom once said "no pockets in a shroud". But i guess the main two things in life are health and happiness. To you all I hope you find them. I feel that if one person didn't build this $1bn house another would so what does it matter. 58

BUBBA wrote this on 2008-08-01 13:06:22 I don't care who you are... Indian, American, Canadian, from Outer Space...that's just plain greedy, beyond belief. This guy has the ability to help A LOT of people who aren't in a position to help themselves, and he'd still have all the money he needs and more. 59

Lou wrote this on 2008-08-05 16:47:47 There is absolutley no problem with this kind of a house if I ever have that much I will build a 10 billion dollar home and my car show room will be made of gold, the glasses I pour y 100 000$ scotch into iwll be with a million dollars a piece, if u have the money spend it. 60

Theodon wrote this on 2008-12-14 07:23:08 Gotta agree with Lou here, there is nothing wrong with his house. Personally, I would much rather have a $1Billion house than to solve world hunger. World hunger does not effect me, but having a $1 Billion house is an awesome thing to own. Stop with the bullshit people you know you would. 61

joshua purse wrote this on 2009-06-10 11:31:24 can i live their with u 62

Vinod kumar wrote this on 2009-07-22 07:14:57 He has earned a lot with his hard work.So,it's time for him to enjoy. 63

prabhakaran wrote this on 2009-08-02 08:53:33 Iam prabhakaran from romania,Iam happy to hear about this one billion house,because out side of country(india)many people believing india a poor country,but it not true,india a welthe country all of the country was and is also,so out side of country(india)all over the world people can see in side of india is being billion house too.thank you mr.mukesh ambani what you have made that house.may god blessing your life to go frist richest man in world.thank you one again. 64

Raj wrote this on 2009-10-13 18:41:13 Who cares! he earned he is wasting! what the heck the above people wasting time in blaming instead of telling of giving him ideas what can he do in billions! ex. country, people, africa and manymore... why do u earn billions and spend on them.... people above needs endorsement work it and make ur ideas blaming Mukesh wrong! dumb all! I am with Mukesh! I earn I waste in pocket instead I gave 100 people work ..... which is called a construction!!!!!! 65

Raj wrote this on 2009-10-13 18:43:49 why their isnt' negative approach for Bill Gates. he has 147 mill. house... y? he shuldnt pay to African a Billion dollaR! he will have decrease of a cup of tea and will come to 57$ bill his networth. Indians are blamed! 66