5 most extravagant Indian mansions: from Amitabh Bachchan’s family home and Mukesh Ambani’s US$2 billion Antilia, to Kumar Mangalam and Isha Ambani’s Mumbai properties with sea views
A Bollywood star, a billionaire businessman and a vaccine powerhouse: these are the people who can afford to own some of Mumbai’s most luxurious mansions. From helipads to infinity pools and sea views to die for, these sprawling estates seem to have it all.
India’s ultra-rich all seem to choose Mumbai as their base, and in many cases have spent years (and millions of dollars) making their family pads the biggest and most magnificent in the country.
So without further ado, here are five of the biggest, best and most expensive Mumbai mansions ever bought …
1. Lincoln House: US$113 million
Owner: Cyrus Poonawalla
Lincoln House was once a former maharaja’s palace before becoming the US consulate in Mumbai. The Americans sold the property to vaccine billionaire Cyrus Poonawalla seven years ago for US$113 million, making it the most expensive residential property transaction in India’s history, reported the Financial Times.
The 50,000 sq ft, three-storey mansion was built in the 1930s in Indian-deco style, with stunning rounded cupolas and ornate window meshes. The Poonawalla family reportedly planned to use it as a weekend home.
But while the US government has been trying to transfer the property to one of India’s richest men since 2015, the Indian government has repeatedly blocked the move, disputing the building’s ownership and causing the building to fall into disrepair, according to The New York Times.
2. Jatia House: US$51 million
Owner: Kumar Mangalam
Kumar Mangalam, chairman of the multibillion-dollar Aditya Birla Group, made one of the most expensive property transactions in Mumbai when he bought the US$51 million Jatia home in 2015, according to Indian Express.
The sea-facing mansion and its grounds are spread over 31,500 sq ft and it has three floors, 20 bedrooms even several ballrooms, according to Housing.com. The ceiling is reportedly made entirely of Burmese teakwood and can host more than 500 people for events.
3. Antilia: US$2 billion
Owner: Mukesh Ambani
Architectural Digest reported the house is designed around the lines of a lotus and the sun.
With 27 double-height floors, Antilia has enough room for several impressive features including prayer rooms, a sizeable temple, ballroom, ice cream parlour, a private cinema, helipads – and a garage that can accommodate 168 cars.
4. Gulita: US$62 million
Owner: Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal
When Isha Ambani married her husband Anand Piramal, she moved out of her family home, Antilia, into one of the most sought-after buildings in Mumbai. India Times reported the home was a gift from Anand’s parents, Ajay and Swati Piramal, for the wedding. According to Reuters, they bought the home for US$62 million. The house had major remodelling leading up to the wedding.
The building is instantly recognisable for the three glazed-steel diamond structures on its exterior that were made using 3D modelling tools, according to Reuters. It also boasts stunning views of the Arabian Sea, three basements, several dining rooms and an outdoor pool.
5. Jalsa: US$13 million
Owner: Amitabh Bachchan
According to Vogue India, the actor was gifted the mansion by producer NC Sippy. Sippy produced Bachchan’s 1982 hit, Satte Pe Satta, which was partially shot in the house, and gave him the home as payment for the role.
On Sundays, the actor famously steps out onto a makeshift stage in the grounds to greet the crowds of eager fans waiting outside.
- Amitabh Bachchan was gifted Jalsa after starring in the film Satte Pe Satta and now lives with his family in the US$13 million property, while Kumar Mangalam broke records with Jatia
- Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal’s striking home underwent extensive renovations before they moved in, while Cyrus Poonawalla still isn’t allowed to live in Lincoln House