Imagine living in a home that’s taller than most skyscrapers, staffed by hundreds, adorned with rare crystals and imported marble, and featuring everything from a spa to a snow room—right in the heart of bustling Mumbai. Welcome to Antilia, the personal residence of Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man and one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
Antilia isn’t just a home—it’s an architectural wonder, a symbol of new-age Indian ambition, and one of the most talked-about private residences on the planet. Let’s take you inside this iconic vertical mansion that has fascinated the world since its completion.
The Story Behind Antilia
Antilia was born out of a vision to create a residence that wasn’t just grand but unforgettable. Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, didn’t want just another lavish bungalow. He wanted something iconic—something that would reflect his global status and Indian heritage.
Construction of Antilia began in 2006, and the family moved in around 2011. The project was handled by Perkins & Will, a Chicago-based architecture firm, with Australian company Leighton Holdings managing construction. The name “Antilia” comes from a mythical island in the Atlantic Ocean, often described in legends as a place of unimaginable wealth and beauty—apt, don’t you think?
A Mansion in the Sky
Built on Altamount Road, one of the most exclusive addresses in South Mumbai, Antilia rises over 173 meters (568 feet) and spans 27 floors—but these are not your standard floors. The floor-to-ceiling heights in Antilia are much higher than typical buildings, so although it has 27 floors, it’s as tall as a 60-story tower.
The home occupies over 400,000 square feet of space. It’s often described as a vertical palace, complete with its own everything: movie theatre, spa, gym, gardens, garage, helipads, lounges, and even a temple.
Architecture & Design: East Meets West
One of the most fascinating aspects of Antilia is its blend of modern architecture and traditional Indian design principles. The structure heavily incorporates Vaastu Shastra, an ancient Indian system of architecture and design that focuses on energy flow and harmony. Everything—from the shape of the building to the orientation of rooms—is based on Vaastu guidelines.
Materials were sourced from around the world, including crystal chandeliers from Europe, fine woods from Southeast Asia, marble from Italy, and intricate Indian textiles. Every floor has a unique design, and no two are identical. It’s not just a home—it’s a layered architectural marvel.
Inside Antilia: A Peek at the Opulence
So what does life look like inside the world’s most expensive home?
Here’s a breakdown of the luxury and functionality stacked floor by floor:
1. The Private Residence
The top six floors are exclusively for the Ambani family. These floors include bedrooms, walk-in closets, luxurious bathrooms, personal lounges, and even panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.
2. Helipads
Three helipads on the rooftop allow for quick travel and high-profile landings. While not yet fully approved for regular use due to city regulations, they stand as a testament to the home’s futuristic concept.
3. Multi-Level Garage
There are six entire floors dedicated to a garage that holds 160+ vehicles, including luxury brands like Rolls Royce, Bentley, Mercedes-Maybach, and Ferrari. There’s even an in-house car service station.
4. Entertainment Zone
The mansion features:
- A 50-seat private movie theatre with plush recliners
- Multiple entertainment lounges
- A ballroom with walls made of crystal and chandeliers that mimic a star-studded sky
5. Health & Wellness
Antilia includes a complete spa, several swimming pools, a yoga and dance studio, a fitness center, and a snow room that releases man-made snow—a rare indulgence in Mumbai’s tropical climate.
6. Hanging Gardens
Several floors feature beautifully landscaped hanging gardens, not just for aesthetic appeal but also to reduce heat and maintain cooling. These green spaces act as natural insulators.
7. Staff and Management
Running a mega-home like Antilia requires an army. It’s estimated that 600 full-time staff are employed to maintain the mansion’s daily operations. This includes:
- Housekeeping
- Security
- Chefs and kitchen staff
- Spa and wellness professionals
- Technical and maintenance crews
Staff quarters are also built into the lower levels, ensuring 24/7 service.
8. Events and Celebrations
Antilia is not just a family residence—it also serves as a venue for some of the grandest private events in India. The Ambanis have hosted:
- Lavish Diwali parties attended by Bollywood stars and business elites
- Family wedding celebrations that make headlines around the world
- Philanthropic events and religious functions
With its size and facilities, Antilia can comfortably accommodate hundreds of guests, making it the perfect setting for high-society functions.
Cost & Value
While the exact cost of building Antilia has never been publicly confirmed, most estimates place its value between $1 billion and $2 billion. This makes it the most expensive private residence in the world, surpassing even Buckingham Palace in construction costs (although that’s a state-owned property).
The land alone, located on the ultra-premium Altamount Road, is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Factor in the construction, luxury materials, custom design, and maintenance, and the numbers start to make sense.
Comparisons: How Antilia Stands Apart
| Property | Location | Approx. Value | Key Features |
| Antilia | Mumbai, India | $1–2 billion | 27 floors, 600 staff, helipads, snow room |
| Buckingham Palace | London, UK | $5 billion (state-owned) | Royal residence, heritage monument |
| Villa Leopolda | French Riviera | $750 million | Sea views, historic significance |
| The One | Los Angeles, USA | $500 million | 105,000 sq ft, club, bowling alley |
Antilia is in a class of its own—not just in terms of cost, but also because of its vertical design, deep cultural integration, and its role as a functioning family home.
The Ambani Legacy
Mukesh Ambani, through Reliance Industries, has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s modern economy. From petrochemicals to digital connectivity (via Jio), his empire spans nearly every major sector. His wife, Nita Ambani, leads the Reliance Foundation, which works in health, education, sports, and rural transformation.
Despite their immense wealth, the Ambanis are also known for their philanthropic efforts, including massive donations during COVID-19, disaster relief initiatives, and funding educational institutions across India.
Antilia is not just a home—it’s a reflection of 21st-century India. It stands at the crossroads of tradition and technology, prosperity and criticism, ambition and introspection.
For some, it’s a dream made real: an architectural feat that rivals global standards, born from decades of hard work and business acumen. For others, it’s a reminder of the socioeconomic imbalances that persist in modern society.
