High above the crowded lanes of Mumbai’s Altamount Road stands a towering symbol of wealth and ambition — Antilia House, the private residence of billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his family. With an estimated construction cost of $1 to $2 billion, Antilia is not only the most expensive private home in the world but also a landmark of modern Indian luxury and controversy.
While many see it as an architectural marvel, others view it as an embodiment of India’s wealth inequality. But behind its towering facade are untold details, fascinating stories, and a world of ultra-luxury that few truly understand.
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Origins of Antilia House: From Myth to Mumbai
The name Antilia is derived from the mythical island “Antillia,” which appeared on medieval Portuguese maps. It was believed to be a paradise far to the west of Europe — mysterious, unreachable, and utopian.
Mukesh Ambani reportedly chose the name to reflect a similar sense of grandeur and mystique — a place detached from the world, yet right in the heart of India’s busiest city.
Who Lives in Antilia House?
The house is home to:
- Mukesh Ambani – Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries
- Nita Ambani – Philanthropist, educationist, and art patron
- Akash Ambani – Elder son and his wife Shloka
- Isha Ambani – Daughter (who now reportedly resides in a nearby property after her wedding)
- Anant Ambani – Younger son, recently engaged to Radhika Merchant
Over 600 staff members work in shifts around the clock, living in the building’s staff quarters.
Architectural and Design Highlights
- Architect: Perkins & Will (Chicago)
- Construction Firm: Leighton Holdings (Australia)
- Interior Designers: Hirsch Bedner Associates
- Total Height: ~173 meters (~567 feet)
- Total Floors: 27 (with triple-height ceilings on many)
- Total Floor Area: ~400,000 sq ft
Each floor of Antilia House has its own theme, structure, and material base — from rare marbles and mother-of-pearl to handcrafted crystal chandeliers. No two floors are alike.
Inside the Antilia House: Floor-by-Floor Breakdown
a. Garage and Car Display (Floors 1–6)
- Space for 168 cars
- Car service station inside the garage
- Features Ambani’s fleet: Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, etc.
b. Lobby and Elevators
- The grand lobby has nine high-speed elevators, each programmed for specific floor ranges.
- The floor has waiting lounges and antique artwork.
c. Entertainment Zone (Floors 7–9)
- Ballroom with glittering chandeliers covering nearly the entire ceiling
- Private 50-seat theatre with top-of-the-line acoustics
- Bar, hookah lounge, and indoor recreation areas
d. Health and Wellness (Floors 10–13)
- Full-fledged gym, yoga studio, spa, and salon
- A unique “snow room” that mimics snowfall for cool therapy
- Multiple indoor swimming pools
e. Residential Quarters of Antilia House(Floors 14–21)
- Family living areas with multiple master suites, guest bedrooms, and prayer rooms
- A temple with statues of Hindu deities and hand-carved marble work
f. Hanging Gardens and Open Terraces of Antilia House(Floors 22–24)
- Multiple sky gardens designed to absorb sunlight and reduce heat
- Landscaped terraces to support passive cooling
g. Air Traffic Floor (Floors 25–27)
- Three helipads on the roof (pending regular use approval)
- Designed to handle emergency evacuation or business transport
Unique Features That Defy Expectations of Antilia House
- Custom-made crystals and sun motifs in the lobby floors
- High seismic resistance (up to 8.0 earthquake)
- Green building concepts, including rainwater harvesting and some renewable energy efforts
- Personal temple floor with rituals reportedly held daily
Maintenance, Staffing, and Daily Operations of Antilia House
Operating a home of this size is like running a hotel. Here’s what’s involved:
- 600+ staff members including butlers, chefs, housekeepers, florists, drivers, and security guards
- On-call healthcare personnel
- Housekeeping teams work in rotational shifts 24/7
- Private chefs prepare multi-cuisine meals from dedicated kitchen floors
The monthly maintenance cost is estimated to be several crores of rupees (tens of thousands of dollars).
Controversies and Criticisms
a. Symbol of Wealth Inequality
Located close to slums and one of the most congested areas in Mumbai, Antilia has often been criticized as an icon of extreme economic disparity.
“How can someone live in a billion-dollar home when people outside live in 10×10 tin rooms?” is a common sentiment in media discussions.
b. Religious and Cultural Concerns
Construction was delayed due to concerns that the original land was used for an orphanage governed under religious trust laws. Legal and cultural debates surrounded the acquisition, although the matter was eventually resolved.
Real-Life Stories from Antilia House
🧭 Story 1: The Ice Room Surprise
During an interview, Nita Ambani shared a story about Anant Ambani suffering from extreme heat sensitivity due to health conditions. As a result, an “Ice Room” was built where snow is blown artificially into the room to cool down after intense workouts.
“It was a bit of madness at first,” said a staff member anonymously. “Who builds a snow room in Mumbai? But now it’s used often — even the guests love it after using the spa.”
This feature, although bizarre to outsiders, is just one of many customized additions that showcase the personal touch behind Antilia’s extravagant features.
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🕵️ Story 2: The Bomb Scare Incident (2021)
In February 2021, a stolen SUV carrying 20 gelatin sticks (explosives) was found parked near Antilia. A note threatening Mukesh Ambani and his family was also discovered. The case became national news.
It led to:
- A full-blown counterterrorism investigation
- The arrest of Mumbai police officer Sachin Vaze
- Allegations of corruption, cover-ups, and even murder
The event exposed serious security gaps and prompted the Ambani family to increase security around the building and their movements.
Comparison with Other Billionaire Homes
| Mansion | Owner | Estimated Cost | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antilia | Mukesh Ambani | $1–2 billion | 400,000 sq ft |
| Xanadu 2.0 | Bill Gates | $127 million | 66,000 sq ft |
| Villa Leopolda | Lily Safra (previously) | $750 million | 50 acres |
| The One (Los Angeles) | Nile Niami (developer) | $500 million (auctioned) | 105,000 sq ft |
Antilia remains the world’s most expensive private residence by a wide margin.
The Cultural and Global Impact of Antilia House
Antilia has become more than a home — it’s a landmark in Mumbai, a subject in business case studies, and even a symbol in debates around capitalism.
It has been featured in:
- National Geographic
- Forbes
- Business Insider
- BBC and multiple Indian documentaries
Foreign dignitaries and billionaires often request to visit, although it is not open to the public or tourists.
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Conclusion: Monument or Mansion?
Whether you see Antilia House as a monument to human ambition or a misplaced marvel, one thing is clear — there is no other private home like it in the world.
It represents:
- The rise of India’s private wealth
- The extremes of modern luxury
- A new architectural vision of vertical living
Antilia house will likely continue to intrigue, inspire, and infuriate for decades to come. It’s a modern-day palace — not built in sand, but in glass, steel, and myth.
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