Sky high: Introducing the most expensive homes in the world

For the super rich, a trophy home isn’t simply a place to live, it’s a savvy investment; the discreet market in prestigious properties is booming and they’re selling for record-breaking prices. The cities that are home to these super-luxe

homes also get an ego boost, as their ability to attract some of the wealthiest individuals increases their standing as global metropolises.

 

While these locations may have prestige, they don’t have unlimited land, so the fashion in recent years has been to build into the heavens and hope that wealthy investors will pay sky-high prices for a place on top of the world. Here are the five most expensive residential skyscrapers in the world and the record-breaking prices they sold for.

 

 

The prime residential market in Israel’s capital has grown by 75.4 per cent in the past five years and Shari Arison – one of only a handful of female billionaires in the Middle East – has recently taken up residence in this 47-storey tower. The development has racked up £1bn in sales so far and the penthouse is on the market for £28.5m.

 

 

This is the only property on the list that’s owned by one person; in this case, Indian business magnate Mukesh Ambani, who is worth an estimated $23bn. Named after a mythical island in the Atlantic Ocean, it rises to 27 storeys but, taking the double-ceiling heights into account, it’s closer to the height of a 40-storey building. It boasts three-helipads and floating gardens and Forbes estimates it cost $1bn to build (or £642m).

 

 

Another park-side property – this time, Central Park – One57 soars 1,000ft above the cityscape. The penthouse atop the 90-storey tower comes with six bedrooms, a spa, cinema and library. Comprising nearly 11,000sqft of space, it sold for just over £67m ($100m) earlier this year.

 

 

Situated in the heart of the world’s most expensive city (Knight Frank, 2015), this 560ft skyscraper offers its super-wealthy occupants stunning views over the Mediterranean sea. The penthouse has a swimming pool with slide, spa and a nightclub and it’s priced at £240m.

 

 

This luxury development in Knightsbridge is home to flagship stores for Rolex, McLaren Automotive and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, as well as 86 apartments that were marketed for around £20m each. Perks include views across Hyde Park and room service from the five-star Mandarin Oriental hotel next door. An eastern European businessman is thought to have bought the penthouse for £140m last year.