A one-of-a-kind home in Bel Air, California, is claiming the title of the world's largest and America's most expensive residence.
The mega-mansion, dubbed "The One," offers a mind-boggling 105,000 square feet of living space and will hit the market for a rumored $350 million.
The headline-grabbing property has had several superlative claims made about it over the years it has been under construction, including that it would be listed for as much as $500 million in 2018. In a 2017 feature, the New York Times pointed out that the house would likely sell for much less than that attention-grabbing asking price, citing that the Playboy mansion sold in 2016 for $100 million, after being listed for $200 million.
At the time, the most expensive house ever sold in the U.S. was a $137 million property in the Hamptons. The world record was a $300 million French chateau, purchased by a Saudi prince in 2015.
While its list of wild amenities (see below) has been touted throughout its nearly decade-long development, the now-completed interiors of the 21-bedroom, 42-bathroom home are being revealed for the first time in an Architectural Digest feature.
This Insane $500 Million Mansion is About to Be America's Most Expensive Home for Sale
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/most-expensive-home-_TheONE_445-2000-aee76c09f7da41179ff81c9ca4ea7d28.jpg "Inside America's Most Expensive Home: A 100,000 Sq. Ft. Mansion Asking a Rumored $350 Million (1)")
Aside from the sheer size, some of the most jaw-dropping features include the moat that surrounds the property on three sides, a 400-foot-long jogging track, a 30-car garage with two "car-display turntables," bowling alley, spa, cigar lounge, five swimming pools and 30-seat movie theater.
There's also a "philanthropy wing," which can host 200 guests for charity galas and has something called "sky pods" that overlook the city.
The home wasn't built for a particular client, but rather as a project for owner and developer Nile Niami, who hired architect Paul McClean and designer Kathryn Rotondi to bring his vision to life.
McClean also designed Jay-Z and Beyoncé's new L.A. pad, which they purchased for $88 million in 2017.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/most-expensive-home-_TheONE_436-2000-8c056ba999e545adb1c4589176077e4d.jpg "Inside America's Most Expensive Home: A 100,000 Sq. Ft. Mansion Asking a Rumored $350 Million (2)")
"This project has been such a long and educational journey for us all," McClean tells archdigest.com. "It was approached with excitement and was thrilling to create, but I don't think any of us realized just how much effort and time it would take to complete the project."
According to the outlet, "due to recently approved city ordinances, a house of this magnitude will never again be built in Los Angeles," meaning the lucky listing agents — Branden and Rayni Williams of The Beverly Hills Estates, along with Compass's Aaron Kirman — will truly be selling "The One."
See many more photos and read the full feature on archdigest.com.
As a real estate enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of luxury properties and architectural marvels, I'm excited to delve into the details of the one-of-a-kind residence in Bel Air, California, known as "The One." My passion for real estate extends beyond a mere interest, and my knowledge is deeply rooted in extensive research, firsthand experiences, and a keen awareness of the industry's trends.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts from the article about "The One":
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Location and Size:
- The property is situated in Bel Air, California, and it claims to be the world's largest residence.
- The mega-mansion spans a staggering 105,000 square feet of living space.
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Price and Market Claims:
- "The One" is touted as America's most expensive residence, with a rumored market price of $350 million.
- Initial claims suggested a potential listing price of $500 million in 2018, but the New York Times speculated a lower selling price based on previous market trends.
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Construction History and Comparison:
- The article mentions the property's lengthy construction period, spanning nearly a decade.
- It draws a comparison to the Playboy mansion, which sold for $100 million in 2016 after being listed for $200 million.
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Previous Record Sales:
- Before "The One," the most expensive house sold in the U.S. was a $137 million property in the Hamptons, and the world record was held by a $300 million French chateau purchased by a Saudi prince in 2015.
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Architectural Digest Feature:
- The interiors of the mansion, comprising 21 bedrooms and 42 bathrooms, are revealed in an Architectural Digest feature.
- The feature highlights the completion of the project after nearly a decade.
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Amenities and Features:
- The property boasts extravagant amenities, including a moat surrounding it on three sides, a 400-foot-long jogging track, a 30-car garage with car-display turntables, a bowling alley, spa, cigar lounge, five swimming pools, and a 30-seat movie theater.
- Noteworthy is the "philanthropy wing" designed for charity galas, accommodating 200 guests, with "sky pods" offering city views.
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Project Origin and Key Contributors:
- The mansion was not built for a specific client but was a project for owner and developer Nile Niami.
- Architect Paul McClean and designer Kathryn Rotondi were hired to bring Niami's vision to life. McClean, known for designing Jay-Z and Beyoncé's L.A. residence, reflects on the project's challenges and rewards.
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Unique Selling Proposition:
- The article notes that due to recently approved city ordinances, a house of this magnitude will likely never be built in Los Angeles again, adding exclusivity to the property.
In conclusion, "The One" in Bel Air stands as a testament to opulence, innovation, and architectural grandeur, setting new standards in the realm of luxury real estate.
