These Are 10 of the Biggest Houses in the World (2024)

The world's largest residential palace, Istana Nurul Iman serves as the official home of the sultan of Brunei, his family, and dignified guests. Filipino architect Leandro Locsin mixed elements from both Malay and Islamic architecture to give the home a palatial appearance. The extravagant palace houses an incredible 1,788 rooms including air-conditioned stables for the sultan's 200 polo ponies, a mosque that can accommodate up to 5,000 people, and a 110-car garage.

Buckingham Palace may just be one of the most recognizable royal residences in the world—and one of the largest. The Neoclassical stunner has been the official London residence of the United Kingdom’s monarchs since 1837 and currently operates as Queen Elizabeth's main administrative headquarters. The palace has a resounding 775 rooms with some of the most famous being the gilded white drawing room and the regal throne room.

Antilia soars high above the city of Mumbai as one of the world's most elaborate and expensive homes. The 27-story home owned by business magnate Mukesh Ambani is estimated to cost between $1 and $2 billion. Chicago-based architects Perkins and Will designed the structure to withstand extreme earthquakes by making each floor the same height as a two-storied building. Antilia houses its own ice cream parlor, a mega-temple, and a 50-person movie theater.

America's largest house was the brainchild of businessman George Vanderbilt who sought to create his own self-sustaining home in Asheville, North Carolina. In 1889, he tapped two of the country's design and landscape leaders to make his vision come to life: Richard Morris Hunt, who designed and built the home, and Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed the gardens and grounds. The 250-room French Renaissance château officially opened to family and friends during Christmas in 1895 and has evolved into a national landmark.

Hidden in a richly forested area of São Paulo sits the iconic mansion of late Brazilian socialite Lily Safra. The regal 117,000-square-foot manse contains an estimated 130 rooms plus an extravagant outdoor living area. However, little is known about the interior design of the home as the Safra family has kept a quiet private life.

In 1919, financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn built the iconic French-style chateau on the highest point of Long Island, establishing it as the second largest private residence in America. He used the 127-room summer home to entertain renowned guests from across the world including the Hollywood elite and heads of state. After his death, the estate took on many roles, such as a retirement home and military academy, until it was eventually restored into a famed hotel and event space.

Overlooking the city of Los Angeles, The One is the largest modern house in America, measuring at roughly 105,000 square feet. The Bel Air mega mansion houses not only 21 bedrooms, but it also has its own gym and juice bar, a hair salon, two turntables, a four-lane bowling alley, and a movie theater. There's even a 10,000-bottle wine cellar and neighboring cigar lounge for those wanting to indulge.

Buckingham Place may be London's biggest royal residence, but Witanhurst doesn't come too far behind. Built between 1913 and 1920 in the Highgate neighborhood, Witanhurst is a shining example of Queen Anne-style architecture with its glass rotunda, sprawling ballroom, and 25 bedrooms. While it was once a meeting place for the likes of royalty (even Queen Elizabeth), it fell to ruins until 2008 when it was sold to a Russian businessman and immediately put under renovation.

Located in Sydney's affluent Double Bay suburb, the Fairwater estate was originally designed by architect John Horbury Hunt in 1882. While previously owned by an Australian political family, the Federation Arts and Crafts-style home rose to popularity under the ownership of the Fairfax family. Lady Mary Fairfax would famously host renowned salons in the lavish abode where members of high society would discuss the latest happenings in the arts scene. After her death, software giant Mike Cannon-Brookes purchased Fairwater for a resounding $100 million, making it Australia's most expensive house.

Nestled on the French Riviera, Villa Leopolda's origins date back to the reign of King Leopold II of Belgium, who gifted the estate to his mistress Blanche Zélia Joséphine Delacroix. Though, after his death in 1909, his family promptly evicted Delacroix and gave the home to King Albert I. Eventually, American architect Ogden Codman, Jr. would come into possession of the estate and transform the property's 12 structures into the elaborate mansion we know today.