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This is not what India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was talking about when he called in 2007 for India's business leaders “to eschew conspicuous consumption.”
The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday that the richest man in India, who is also the fourth richest man in the world, just moved into what is likely one of the priciest pads on the globe: a 630 million pound ($1.08 billion), 27-storey-tall monstrosity in Mumbai.
Here’s what Mukesh Ambani, head of Reliance Industries, and his brood got for that price tag, according to the Telegraph: A health club with a gym and dance studio; at least one studio; a ballroom; guestrooms; a 50-seat movie theater; and three pads for helicopters (to fly over Mumbai’s legendary traffic) and underground parking for 160 cars (in case people simply must drive in Mumbai).
It has more space than the Palace at Versailles and takes 600 staff to run, the Telegraph reported. Ambani dubbed the home Antilia after a legendary island in the Altantic that may have driven Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors to search for cities of gold in the Americas.
Why does 53-year-old Ambani's home cost so much? Location, location, location. The Guardian newspaper says it cost $70.4 million to build, but Mumbai's soaring land prices have driven the estimated price up many times that.
How's that for conspicuous?
Watch the video below to take a peek into some of the lavish rooms.
Leave a Comment:
Let's see - employs a staff of 600, probably took thousands to fabricate the materials and build it...why is this a bad thing from an economic perspective? Leave the guy alone. Isn't it ironic that the building has a distinctly phallic look. I guess 'his is bigger'.
EXACTLY! thats what i think too. he created jobs! so u ppl that dont know a damn thing....plz...dont even comment if ur gonna talk out of ur asses!
Great point. How many jobs were created during the building of this and add 600 people with permanent jobs. In Cleveland we have two projects, the medical mart and a casino to build and we haven't broken ground even though it has been several years since approving the medical mart and a couple years for the casino. Then again, job creation isn't one of Ohio's strong suits.
Ostentatious or not, the man created jobs and kept a lot of people in business with all the material that needed to be purchased. What else is the fourth richest man in the world supposed to do with his money? Oh--right--probably a lot of Americans commenting that believe he should hand his money out for free.
Work hard and make something of yourself and maybe you could also build some ridiculous home that you will probably never see half of.
It looks like a bunch of slum buildings stacked up into a big pile of crap! What a waste, what an eyesore!
Agreed! Is this not one of the ugliest building you've ever seen???? Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder!!! Regardless how much money he has or anyone's sour grapes over it...I would hope he spent half as much on charitable contributions to his fellow citizens in need as he did on this monstrosity.
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@Great Lakes Girl
Why should he be required to give a penny of his own money away? No one, not you, nor I has the right to tell him how he should spend his money. We can offer him suggestions, ask for donations for whatever causes, but how he spends the money he earned is his business, no one elses.
Disgusting ostentation is what I would call it. And no, it's not sour grapes, just the truth. And it looks like a bunch of ugly boxes randomly piles up.
Yeah, and it's still in Mumbai! What a waste.
Nice to see he has a place to sleep that will hopefully withstand the next earthquake-while millions in his country starve to death and live in the dirt and waste that surrounds them.
And of course no-one lives in multimillion dollar house in the US while others go homeless?
He should take that money had the destiute people starving and dying in the streets us downstairs from him. But that is Hinduism for you it is their karma right so just let them die while I live like an emperor.
wow ur so rude and sound just like a RACIST!!! lovely for u. is it better to create permanent jobs? or to feed till the money runs out! there are lots and lots of ppl! 1 billion sounds like a lot but it'll feed all india for only lunchtime! he helped 600 families for the rest of their lives! 1 day or rest of life? what do u think? and i recommend u stop being such a racist. u talk about "oh why didnt he help the poor starving indians, then u say basically oh well they can die from starvation and u can live like an emperor!! wow u must really be ineducated. plz go back to school and then write another comment when u have become a "smart person"!!!!
Yes, I agree 600 permanently jobs. Also yes is very ostentation but next time that all of us are driven our SUB's and 150's thousan homes, dont forget that with a those 150's thous u can feed families around the world Also went u fill up ur sub's with 80 gallon tanks that money can be used to feed people. I many countries a dollar per day can feed a family. Please dont be such critical lest do our part and ask God to touch this super rich people to do their part. Thanks!!
Ok first of all, this guy never said anything about "Indians". He said "But that is Hinduism for you..." To call him a racist is as inaccurate as your use of "ineducated". I'm so sick of people playing the racist card when it's not appropriate. It stinks of McCarthyism and makes it difficult to pick out real racism from all of the outrageous claims. If anything, the author of that post is preaching religious superiority, which also reeks of "inedumacation".
And of course no Christian lives in a multimillion dollar house in the US while other Americans go homeless?
bad for the economy?? no!!! not at all! didnt u read? he hired 600 ppl that means 6oo more jobs also alllll the work that it took to build this awesome "home" required tons of ppl so there! he made the economy better for ppl and 600 ppl are permanently working!! thanks, "rich guy"!!!!!!
600 people employed, yes..... in a life of servitude. Don't believe for a second that these people have the benefit of labor laws we have here in America. And I bet they aren't getting "minimm wage"... or sick days... or family responsibility days... or annual leave... or pensions...
You are making an assumption. I don't believe someone put a gun to their head to make them work and I don't believe a billionaire wants to have help walking around looking disgusting while serving his guests. It is 600 jobs no matter how you want to look at it. 600 jobs that weren't available prior to building this home.
All the things you stated are American and we should not force our ways on other cultures whether you agree with them or not. Look at where all of our openness and rules have lead this country. Who's creating any jobs in your area?
You want to complain, then focus it on people having kids in poverty stricken areas of the world. If they can't feed the people that are there why the hell are they creating more? People spout off about rights but they always seem to forget about responsibility. But hey, all employers should provide pensions, no, all workers should save money for their own retirement. We aren't owed sick days or annual leave it is a perk with the job.
A person busts their butt, starts a business and employs several people that needed a job. That person is not required to do anything else but pay at least minimum wage. If you don't like what you get from that employer, find another job. An unskilled high school drop out doesn't deserve the same benefits as a college graduate. Gain some skills and move up and all the benefits will be there. Flipping burgers at McDonald's should be a stepping stone, not permanent employment.
Then again maybe we will all do better if we moved to India. Need to go where the jobs are but will also need to sacrifice what you have here like the house that is larger than you need or the SUV that serves no function you just thought it would be cool to own one like your neighbor. Yes, I too am making assumptions but only because we need to stop bragging about how great America is because if we don't fix it Mumbai will be a step up.
these days a lot of the people slinging burgers in fast food joints just may happen to be college graduates. You are assuming there are a lot of jobs out there to pick and choose from, and while that may still be true on a few places, it sure isn't true in most of America.
And just what the heck is wrong with having a basic standard of treatment for all workers, anyways? You sound like you want to punish every person who doesn't fit your standards. Well, not every person, college graduate or high school dropout alike, is capable of all jobs. Moreover, we NEED people to do all the jobs that you may not find so worthy. Personally, i think my trash collector, for example, deserves to have days off and be paid well. he works hard! and he does a thankless task, but if he wasn't around people would find out awfully fast how much he really does for their life.
Agreed on we need to fix America and stop bragging about how great we are... we can be better, and less hubris would help.
The guy sounds like a true American!
Boys and their toys -- looks like lego buildings my younger brother used to 'create.' But binNH and amazed pinned it down pretty good too.
Three chears for Ambani !!!
Are there really humans out there that are that worthy??? Sadly we are but one of many species on this planet and we are fooling ourselves into thinking we're superior, we'll find out the difference some day. I was thinking of all of the children that could have been given clean water, clean clothes, food, a bed to sleep in, medical care, and education. Or, am I asking too much???
Yes you are asking too much. Are all the billionaires of the world supposed to support the less fortunate? The less fortunate need to stop cranking out more less fortunate and move to where they can actually grow some food.
This hand out mentality will drive a person nuts. I don't make a very good living since the economic downturn but I live within my means. If I wanted to have a child I would not in my current situation because I can't afford to. But let's have the people that made something of themselves support the irresponsible people that help extend the poverty population.
There has always been different classes some that were caring and giving and others that want to die with their money. It is their choice, not ours. If you want history to refer to you as a great person then do something great. If you don't care that you will be known as a prick so be it.
If we could only put this much effort into complaining about how our federal government spends our tax dollars. We are talking about trillions of dollars collected from all of us and wasted by a bunch of people that get to spend it without any accountability. Do you know where your tax dollars go?
Sorry to rant folks but frustration is setting in on our focus.
Fourth richest man in the world lives in India, where most of the population is poor and uneducated.
Richest man in the world is from Mexico, where poverty drives millions of Mexicans to risk their lives trying to get into the U.S.
See a trend here?
And the second richest man Bill Gates lives in the US where you will find homeless people living in parks and under railway bridges. Yes, I see the trend here: Human beings all around the world live at very disparate levels of wealth. But then that's okay in America and worthy of criticism when we see such situations in other countries. At least in Mumbai you can sleep on the street in the winter and not freeze to death. Try doing that in Wisconsin.
I agree with screminmimi's comment...
The countries that have the wealthiest people are not always the wealthiest countries, they are the poorest, for an obvious reason...they wanted to get out of their poorness because nobody helped them and now that they are the richest they don't help anyone just like they did with them...Chile is an example of unity even though it is not a money rich continent it is rich in what matters most which is a humane heart... When technology united humanity...
CHI CHI CHI LE LE LE LOS MINEROS DE CHILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People complain too much, if you think someone is too rich, then go take his money away. If you don't like poverty then go help poor people. If you don't like comments, then don't read them.
You are all a bunch of sniveling whiners and I love to read your bull@!$%# comments, so keep them coming.
I dont need his frickin money. But if he is intelligent enough to amass and manage so much money, he should use some of that intelligence to help improve his country and his people....as should the Mexican billionaire.
You are rude and unnecessarly crude.
he has found a way to improve his country: He spends his money lavishly which makes jobs for other people. Or maybe you are a good Socialist who believes the more well to do should just give their money to the less well to do? Better to make a job for someone so they can work and have some personal respect for themselves than give them handouts, I think. Living on charity is a very demeaning thing, working for a living is a bit more rewarding.
New rich... I bet he drives a pink RR with reems that dont fit in the car too...
I am from Brazil, another s*it Ho*e but come on... I can't wait the day when people like that loose all their money...
If I had that much money, sure I would creat jobs and try to helo the world, but in the end I would try to find more time to understand why I am here, Why i suffer, why I love, Why I want to stay alive and why we all die...
N*** rich
That's the ugliest building I've ever seen. Didn't this guy get any kind of education?
My Lord! What has become of your people? This is an insult to God and a waste of the money this man has been blessed with. There are numerous of millionaires and billionaires in this whole world, but is this the way to heaven when we die? When Jesus walked upon this earth, He explain to man that the richest of rich will not see the gates of heaven until they sell all and give it away. Mother Theresa did what Christ did not what the people thought. She got her fame from giving away all that was given to her. She lived within her means and not once did she complain about it. You guys need to get real about the soul and not about the material possessions one has. Yes, he may have created many jobs in his home, but the country, as a whole, is poor. What becomes of those who work for him if any downward changes occurs in that country? Are these people working as slaves or as employees? Are the families of these people really benefiting from good health care, better housing, and clean surrounding? That building and the money spent on it is only the beginning of many problems that could make that country even poorer. This man is selfish with his money and no one seems to get it. When you created something, everyone should benefit from that creation. He could have created clean water plants/sewage, hospitals, schools, better roadways, and shopping centers that would have given money back to people and their economy. What would you have to say if the president of the united states had done this in the economy that we are now faced with? Plus, that is the most ugliest piece of crap that could have been created by the hands of man.
Hey Tony, when have you shaken the hand of Jesus? Insult to what God? Where is your absolute proof that there is a heaven? Wait, your comment makes it seem like this billionaire is god and should take care of all the worlds problems.
I'm not sure if your god is the belief in Mumbai, so your comment is irrelevant. You can use my page to answer a question that has been bugging me for a long time, if there is only one god, which one is it and why?
If you do read this and decide to answer can you back it up with proven facts and not stories from your little black book? Thank you
It is very narrow minded of you to quote your god when it is irrelevant to the area of the world we are discussing. What was it about three hundred years ago that Catholics finally admitted that the earth revolved around the sun. Jesus couldn't clear that up for everyone 2000 years ago?
It's innappropriate to insult someone's God. You didn't really offer any real opinion on the subject at hand, or any facts yourself. You just chose to take cracks at someone's beliefs. And even if Tony had said what he did without any mention of "God" in there, he still would have had much more valid statements than you. At least he has compassion for others and cares about what happens to the citizens of our world. All you seem to care about is insulting religion.
I think a more valid expression of compassion for others and caring, is pure action, deeds on the ground, not a wringing of hands on the internet. Anyone can do that. (That is not to say that Tony does not help his fellow man)
Browns Backer, indeed there is only one GOD. It is a seed which resides inside each one of us. You may ignore that seed, you may oppress it or you may discover it and let it grow. It’s the seed of LOVE. Once you discover LOVE and let it flourish inside you, once you experience its flamboyant wonders, you will not dare to ask anyone to put a logical leash on GOD.
God? There is no god. Get real. Be smart and logical. I love Santa and the Easter Bunny. Jesus is a fun myth... and Muhammad... Buddha... all funny stuff. Not true if you have a brain and can think for yourself.
nobody knows if jesus walked the earth. No one knows if there is a heaven. It's all in your head. It's called "Fear of Dying"; people just have to latch onto something else.......for Christians it's call heaven
Ambani -> Chairman of Reliance --> cellular and TV --> betcha he has the place brimming with towers --> can probably cover half of the subcontinent from there, in a way that nothing else in Mumbai could. Interesting.
and when the Floods come he will be above them in his tower of Babel
Everyone is making the assumption that this man has not given anything to the poor, or has invested any of his money to better his country. Maybe he has, maybe he has not. In any event, it is not for us to judge. BUT, I do agree, that building is the darned ugliest thing I have ever seen, :) What was the architect thiniking?
i think its a waste of money, thats the truth. He could have built factories and different restaurants, tourism hotels, instead he built a house with a large fortune. Hes wasteful and if i was was in that wealth caliber i would never be wasteful. I would help people with jobs any way i could think of. I would build hospitals, shelters, food banks. One could so much with a billion dollars, fk 600 jobs, how bout 6000.
And you Pete, with the time you have spent on earth, what have you done to help others or create jobs? It's easy to theorise about what you would or would not do if you were that rich, when by your own implication, you are not. If and when you get there my friend, come back here and tell us how many thousands you have lifted from poverty, and how you have shunned a life of ostentation. But untill then, just like everyone else, this man should not be judged until we have all the facts at hand (...and even then)
That said, that house is indeed freakishly ugly.
That thing looks like a piece of crap! It definitely belongs there in that neighborhood - it fits right in! LOL
Here, Here!!
It's his dough and he can do what he wants with it, but he should have hired a better archetect! I used to design buildings in my childhood with my "Girders & Panels" toy that were better looking! But since we don't know about the building codes / zoning / etc in Mumbai, maybe that is the only way he could get everything he wanted in an inner city structure.
The guy worked for his money. If he wants to build a 10 billion home he's allowed to. I'm pretty sure he donates also, only that doesn't make the headlines now does it. I hope all the hypocrites on here are sending a dollar overseas to help the poor. Trump built all kinds of towers I'm sure he could have spent his billions on "better investments" helping the poor, but I don't see anyone complaining.