Discussion on:

First look inside the world's most expensive house

I think the reason there may only be 6 occupants (though I suspect that number does not include the army of servants) is that it was designed for the extended Ambani clan/family but then there were some ructions between some of the brothers whose families did not move in.

Disgusting. Utterly repulsive.

With all due respect, so what? It's their resources, not yours, mine or anyone else's.

Parasites that steal billions of times their share of the resources cannot be permitted to continue if mankind is going to have any hope of survival.

When people as stupid as these morons building an ugly house, what good does mankind get? They are parasites.

Go protest outside Bill Gates 40,000 square-foot log cabin home. I will bet they killed over 10,000 trees to build it.

Everyone likes to give the rich democrat a pass on issues like this.

You can lead the charge to fight agaisnt evil rich people wasting money.

Bill Gates' house is made mainly from recycled Douglas fir from a nearby warehouse that was being torn down, and stone. It is not "log cabin" styled, and it is 66,000 square feet.

That's the ugliest building...is that the best $1B can buy?

This house or building is in the heart of a very very expensive city - Mumbai. Rates here are compared or even more than NYC, Japan etc...

Is it $1 billion US or $1 billion Rupee?

At todays exchange rate it would be just over $18,053,800 US if it is $1 billion Rupee.

Not only is the building ugly, it is a complete waste of money and a disservice to the neighboring community. That money could have been used to build apartment buildings to house more than 1000 families.

What duty does a family, whose wealth derives from hard work, have to house 1000 strangers?

What right do we have to raise a finger on to these guys for spending their own wealth for their home whatever that amount could be...if we ourselves do the same! Dont we spend our money on holidays, home renovations, new better homes, cars/SUVs!!! Indeed the world may be a better place if we did not do all these things and give away part of our wealth to poorer and starving people. So how many of us have the guts to really let our worldly possessions go and give away atleast 25% of what we earn to charity or for a better cause. Very few I am sure and especially none I am sure who are nice enough to weigh in on their opinion here, myself included. So the motto is practice before you preach...

...this is truly excessive, even by spoiled Western standards. It just seems unwisely arrogant. Granted, super-wealthy people might need fortress-like dwellings to protect themselves from kidnappers, but $1,000,000,000? Really?? He could have built 10,000 public buildings (schools, libraries, gyms, parks, etc.). (You can do that most places in India for $100K.) Then he would have had all 1,000,000,000 people of India seeking his safety and welfare, and that of his family and businesses. No fortress could compare to that.

Parasites that steal vastly beyond their share are worms, and these worms show their worth.

Basic economics for the adolescent socialists:

When a country develops, it creates industries from scratch, hence those who are 'in on the ground floor', become the wealthiest.

I love the quote from the article that reads "...glaring reminder of inequality..."

What a disgustingly stupid concept that people should be, could be or are equal. This could not be farther from reality and highly undesirable at any rate.

Equal opportunity - that's great.

...do you seriously believe this guy is a hundred million times better than the average Indian? That he worked a hundred million times harder? That his ideas were a hundred million times better?
No. He was in the right place at the right time with the right resources and the right ideas (and probably greased the right palms) to enable him to amass astounding profits from the society that was built up for millenia by countless others. He should not be forced to give his money away, but he ought to have the wisdom to realize that he should.
I don't envy him, and I can't say I would do better in his position. Frankly, I would be terrified to be steward of such wealth. But it sure sounds like his final accounting will not go well.

Not for us to decide. If his gains were the result of corruption then fight that but there is the possibility that this man contributed to many making a living while working for him.

In the construction of that house many people were employed thus helping them live a better life. The money was not wasted.

perhaps for bragging rights? The Burj Khalifa cost 1.5 billion to build and is ten times the building. Even Bill Gates 66,000 Sq. ft. mansion was "only" 100 million+ to build. Oh- and yes it is ugly... having a lot money does not always mean having taste..

Talents you are born with, it is not something that money can buy ...

"Man's life is short. To him who is harsh, and hard-hearted, all living men wish suffering till he dies, and mock him when he's dead. But the fame of a good man, with a kind heart, his guests spread far and wide among men, and people sing his praise."
Homer, in The Odyssey, Bk XIX:308-360

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.
James, the brother of Jesus of Nazareth

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Paul the Apostle, in the First Letter to Timothy

You know, putting all your eggs into a 2000 year-old fictitious story is a bad idea. Ever heard of the Egyptian "god" Horus?? Let me introduce you:

Horus, worshiped since 2200 BC (YES-BC)
-Born of a virgin
-Had 12 disciples
-Healed the sick and injured
-Raised Asar from the dead ("Asar" translates to "Lazarus")
-Crucified, then resurrected after 3 days
-Known as "The Way", "The Lamb", "The Light"

Any of this sound familiar? Sorry to break it to you, but your "savior" is a fictional, plagiarized character from ancient myth. In fact, there are over a dozen such "son of God" types worshiped throughout ancient history by various cultures, all sharing the above listed attributes.

There were six known historians living and recording life in Nazareth at the time of Jesus' supposed existence, and not one of them ever wrote anything about him. Seems like a guy walking on water and rising from the dead would've earned an honorable mention, at least.

Now, would you kindly click on the "edit" button and remove all the religious drivel from your post, and replace it with something appropriate (and less crazy sounding)?

I quoted from Homer (perhaps you might look him up), and I made no claims about my quotes. I admit, quotes from some Hindu scriptures would have been more pertinent in this case, but I'm not familiar with them. Perhaps some Hindus, Moslems, Buddhists, and yes, atheists, could pile on with more quotes to help this misguided individual with the ginormous house. Since you are so smart, perhaps you could lead the way. How about a nice quote from Horus?

I have always had a strange feeling about the reasons behind the bible. I have heard from many that it was indeed a great work of fiction.
The thing that makes me wonder is a saying that I once heard and it goes like this"If God created Heaven and Earth and Heaven goes on forever and forever and never ends, Then where did God come from???

In my experience, it is not who wrote a book, or where it comes from, but the messages contained within.

The bible is stuffed full of wisdom that have extremely good advice for living a better life. Many great works of classic literature are the same.

Unfortunately, people are lazy, and too busy watching reality TV, or letting others decide for them what is worth reading.

I prefer to decide for myself what is worth reading or not. I hope you might rise to the challenge to do the same.

Where a wise saying comes from, is irrelevant. Wisdom is still wisdom. All those quotes from books are very wise and definitely pertinent to modern life. The abuse of wealth and resources by man has not changed in 10,000 years.

It put many people to work building it. It keeps some people working to maintain it. Where's the downside?

and the usual ugliness invariably associated with it.

"Is it not spooky to live in a 27-story mansion overlooking the neighboring slums of Mumbai?"

is the best argument for a 90% income tax on the top 1% of earners that could ever be. They don't know what to do with all that money.

Your right. Much better to destroy private property rights and elect one final dictator.

I'm thinking you have never had a worthwhile endeavor in your life.

When I visited Mumbai during fall 2010, I was taken to see this house. It stands out like a sore thumb in the middle of squalor all around it. Besides, architecturally it is very ugly to look at. The entrance is on the side of the building. Money has never bought intelligence!

This house is so UGLY even his mother will hate it. What a waste of time and money. He could have easily donated this much amount to a worthy cause. Look at he example of Bill and Melinda Gates and learn. Evan Warren Buffet was moved with their generosity that he donated major portion of his fortune to Bill Gates foundation to be used for the well being of the under privileged.

it's a luxurious place to live, but it looks like a vertical ghetto.

Has to say first that have never been to India. I am just looking at this building from the picture above. It looks like a Mondrian, only in building form. I would not be educated enough to comment on the economic in's and out's of this home.

Nothing is perfect. The house is worth whatever. Capitalism works, but it's not perfect. Communism never works, but sounds fair only to those that cry and feel sorry for themselves.

Houses in every capital around the world cost this kind of price range. If it is just the luxury fittings in it that make it cost that much it make it less special. Is so simple spend that amount, just use diamonds and pearls and gold and platnium and titanium for every piece of furniture, cloth, fitting and accessories.

Many poor or normal people in asia( Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai etc) live in 50-storey buildings(government housing estates), not really special.

just show off of wealth.

Let's feel sorry for him. ! billion for looking out over slums not to mention a building that's so ugly we can't figure it out. We can only assume the reason for all the helecopters is so they can run away from the place. Money and good taste have rarely gone hand in hand. Any doubts, look at poor Elvis. As long as the guy has a good heart, that's all I care about.

It is a shame that the builders feel the need to build something like this to validate themselves. It is very sad indeed. I know from experience that many leaders, and business owners do it because they are locking something inside that drives them to "make a mark" on the world. They have this emptiness and it is truly sad indeed.

Clearly, money cannot buy happiness. We should learn from them instead, see this for the tragedy and cry that it is.

A mini-theater!? I think for a billion dollars he could have had a full sized one, or two.

Imagine if something less ostentatious had been built for a tenth of the cost, and the remainder given to promote population control, hopefully before this world sinks into the dark ages from over-population, and the coming religious and class wars.

Kings are Kings. Look at palaces in England, India, China, Japan and so on. I don't think, even the richest of business tycoon in the world can compare themselves with the wealth existed with royal families. Even taste differs. Comparison is made between Taj mahal and the above one. Does any one see any coherence between two of them.

It is OK, that Mr.Mukesh Ambani had that much of money to spent for him 27 storey home. But to compare its with building built by Royal families, I DO NOT FIND ANY COMMON GROUND.

Architectural aspects aside, this is just a monumental example of an individual having too much wealth! If India (and the rest of the world) does not put limits on individual and corporate wealth then social unrest is guaranteed. Doesn't anyone remember "let them eat cake?"

I think that if a person makes their money honestly, then let them do with what they want. There are a lot of people out there that want somethings handed to them on a platter and not have to work for it. I am retired and am middle class, not po, to any extreme but I guess that i could do better for myself. Now, if anyone wants to donate a large sum of money to my wife and myself so that we can live the large life, then so be it. You have my email, just e-mail me and I will give you the address to where you can send the large amount of money,ha. I have a Lear-jet in mind and I need to buy it within the next week so I can get a good deal. ha again.
Now everybody just lighten up and enjoy what and who you have, and quit being jealous about what other people have.
Have a wonderful day

It is important to take a step back and steer away from ignorant ("without knowledge") rhetoric about incendiary topics like class disparity and the wealth of others. Here's some perspective from an interview from The Times of India:

Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata has described Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani's 27-storey Mumbai home, Antilla , as an example of rich Indians' lack of empathy for the poor.

"It makes me wonder why someone would do that. That's what revolutions are made of," Tata said in an interview to The Times, London, when asked about Ambani's house. The Times had asked Tata the question in the context of widening income inequalities in India.

Tata also told The Times: "The person who lives in there should be concerned about what he sees around him and [asking] can he make a difference. If he is not, then it's sad because this country needs people to allocate some of their enormous wealth to finding ways of mitigating the hardship that people have."

The 73-year-old tycoon added: "We are doing so little about the disparity [in India]. We are allowing it to be there and wishing it away."


Here's the link so you can read the article yourselves: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Antilla-Mukesh-Ambanis-house-shows-lack-of-empathy-for-poor-Ratan-Tata/articleshow/8506287.cms

As for aesthetics and architecture, it doesn't seem to be on the top of anyone's list except the Ambani's. Here's an excerpt from Inhabitat website's review of the American architecture firm Perkins and Will's design that they don't even mention on their own website:

A spate of green skyscrapers have shot up in the last few years, as people learn that buildings account for more CO2 emissions than any other single source. At the same time, we've seen a rise in greenwashing by companies recognizing the market value of green and making false claims to fit the category. In an exemplary meeting of these two trends, we have just discovered a building in progress in Mumbai that calls itself the greenest of all the buildings in the Maximum City of 13 million people. If ever there were a literal interpretation of a deceptive green facade, this is it.

Renderings of the 27-story Antilla building depict a highrise that couldn't be greener. Its covered in foliage, with living walls enclosing all four sides, hanging gardens and green rooftop. Just a few days ago, the architects boasted about its environmental features primarily that the walls of plants will increase green space and combat urban heat island effect. But look behind the green facade, and as far as we can tell, there's nothing else sustainable about the materials or construction. Architecture firm Perkins + Will doesn't include the project on their site, but this week mentioned no other green features besides the literal green.

...

Sustainability is most commonly defined as "The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Unless this goal is applied to everyone, it's impossible for us to have a sustainable global society. Sustainability is about humanity as much as it is about greenery. Living walls are lovely, but they're not a free ticket to environmental integrity.


Here's a link in case you'd like to read the entire article: http://inhabitat.com/sites-residence-antilia-green-tower-in-mumbai/

with 1 Billion he could have help many people from his country that have nothing get better shacks ,clean water and electricity. This is the reason this world will never change for the better of everyone but the few greedy.

Yes, in a perfect world that is what rich people would do. However, we do not live in a perfect world.

For someone to flaunt themselves among others of such a removed station, there has to be more to this story than we know. There are details at play here that hint about values, social issues, and how a person is raised by their parents.

Others should see such things like this and learn from them. How many people really would get down and dirty and work to better the world if they made their fortunes? How many of us have made sure that our kids are aware of these values? How many of our peers and the people we look up to, hold these values? It is time to re-evaluate who we are, inside, instead of pointing fingers.

it would make a great place for the nearby homeless to live...

If the building is overlooking the slums of Mumbai, as the article notes, it's only a matter of time when it will be occupied by those less fortunate during the next uproar. And no, the snow room will not help them fend off those envious and angry millions of poor around them -
http://www.rocketspanishreport.com