Ever since our ancestors aspired to having the largest cave on the mountain, man has strived to secure the very best abode he could. It is no different in 2014, with the world's richest individuals spending hundreds of millions of dollars on the finest (and largest) properties ever built.
Lewis London Property Search are one such company who specialise in helping people to secure their dream homes. Read on as they reveal the World's five most expensive homes...
#5. One Hyde Park - London
Worth: Sold for $221 million in 2011
Having taken five years to complete, One Hyde Park is located in the Knightsbridge area of London and is described as the world's 'most exclusive address', comprising of 86 residential properties that start at £20 million ($33 million).
At 25,000-square feet and boasting a concierge service that is available 24-hours a day, One Hyde Park is an incredible feat of 21st Century design, with current residents including the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, Ukrainian business oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and Kazakh businessman Vladimir Kim.
#4. Kensington Palace Gardens - London
Worth: Sold for $222 million in 2008
Situated on the street known as Billionaire's Row, this neo-Georgian mansion is owned by Lakshmi Mittal - CEO of the world's largest steelmaking firm.
Move in here and your neighbours would include the Russian Embassy, Tamara Ecclestone and Roman Abramovich.
#3. Fair Field - Sagaponack, New York
Worth: $248 million as of 2012
This sprawling 63 acre beach front property comprises of 29 bedrooms and 39 bathrooms, while it also has not one but three swimming pools. Other features include a 91 foot long formal dining room, a basketball court, bowling alley, two tennis and squash courts as well as a hot tub that cost a staggering $150,000.
It is owned by industrial billionaire Ira Rennert who is worth an estimated $6.5 billion, and he also owns a duplex apartment on Park Avenue in Manhattan, a property in Israel and a Gulfrstream V private jet. He's not doing too badly for himself then.
#2. Villa Leopolda - Villefranche-sur-mer, France
Worth: $750 million in 2008
This incredible waterside property in the French Riviera is built on a 20-acre estate reportedly used by King Leopold II as the location for a string of homes for his many mistresses, but it is now owned by Lily Safra, a Brazilian philanthropist and social figure who has an estimated wealth of $1.2 billion.
Had a proposed purchase of the property by Mikhail Prokhorov gone though in 2008 it would be likely that La Leopolda would be the most expensive villa in the world, however the deal fell through after the Russian billionaire was investigated by French authorities in a prostitution probe, with Prokhorov demanding an apology.
#1. Antilia - Mumbai, India
Worth: Upwards of $1 billion
This 27 story skyscraper was named after a mythical island in the Atlantic Ocean, and there is certainly something other-worldly about it, with unconventional architecture that really sets it apart from the rest of the Mumbai skyline.
It purportedly requires around 600 staff members to run the building, and it is unsurprising when you learn what it includes, with six levels of underground parking, three helipads and even a whole floor dedicated to 'health'.
Despite its unusual appearances, the Antilia building is in fact incredibly well constructed, and it is capable of withstanding an earthquake measuring at 8 on the Richter scale.
This guest blog was written by John Rooney in partnership with Lewis London Property, a company devoted to finding the very best property in London and beyond for the international buyer.
