ANTILIA - OSTENTATIOUS OR STUPENDOUS ?

   THE BILLION DOLLAR HOUSE

                  Mukesh Ambani, the wealthiest man in India with a net worth of $21.5 billion, nestles in one of the costliest homes on planet earth. Antilia, named after the mythical & Mystical Atlantic island of Antillia,is a 400,000 Square Feet of Living Space,27 stories tall extra-high ceilings (other buildings of equivalent height may have as many as 60 floors), sits on Mumbai's tony Altamount Road and costs an estimated $1 billion to build, soaks in opulence from brick to brick and inch to inch. The home was also designed to survive an 8-richter scale earthquake. A full-time staff of 600 maintains the residence, reportedly the most expensive home in the world.

Here are a few facts about Antilia that have may not have been the headliners, but are worth knowing:

1. Antilia is located on the Altamount Road, which happens to be one of the most high-priced addresses in the world which is in contrary to the media reports of the home being in close proximity to slum areas.

2.Antilia is the Ambanis' sole residence. Earlier they lived in another Mumbai building with Mukesh's mother and brother.

3. The home is employed with large number of staffs. However the kids who are currently attending college in the United States clean their rooms when they are home.

4. A multi-story garage with space for about 168 cars and three helipads on the roof are well designed to add elegance to the building.

5. The Lobby of Antilia alone has Nine Elevators. A Spa, A Temple for regular family prayers and terraced gardens add to the beauty. 

6. The Structure also contains a lavish ballroom.  This is to ensure that guests get soaked in every bit of luxury. Further these suites boast a rich flamboyance and mind  boggling facilities. Just take a look of it's blueprint Below.

7. The Family's Living Room is on the top Floor so as to feel the Sunlight every morning with the panoramically beautiful view of the city.

8. The design of the Antilia is based on Two design motifs; The sun & The lotus . These are repeated throughout the whole mansion with rare materials like mother-of-pearl, crystal and marble.

9. Though the Antilia is fully fledged with all resources, it doesn't hold non vegetarian recipes and cuisines . This is because the Ambanis are vegetarians and teetotalers. Meals are always vegetarian and alcohol-free.

10. The Antilia consists of a two storeyed recreation centre including A Gym, Dance studio, Yoga & Indoor Stadium.11. When it’s time to relax, the Ambani family segue into the spa that’s located right in their abode and also to mention, they have a terrace garden to enjoy nature and feel freshness.

12.  The Antilia consists of a separate Air Control Room so as to Guide the helicopters regarding landing, Take off & Weather Conditions.

Design, Architecture, Luxury – Everything leaps. With no end to its jaw-dropping magnificence, Excellence & Beauty; Anitilia is arguably the most famous address in India today.

                      "People's Reaction"

Some Indians are proud of the "ostentatious house", while others see it as "shameful in a nation where many children go hungry.

"It's a stupendous show of wealth, it's kind of positioning business tycoons as the new maharajah of India." - — Hamish McDonald, author of Ambani & Sons: A History of the Business