Some of India’s wealthiest businessmen are making headlines not just for their business empires but also for their big real estate ventures. From London to Switzerland, their homes stand as testaments to lavish living and architectural brilliance.
Adar Poonawalla
In recent news, Adar Poonawalla, the Indian billionaire and owner of Serum Institute of India, has created a buzz with his latest real estate venture. Poonawalla has sealed a lease deal for Aberconway House, a lavish 25,000 square foot mansion near Hyde Park in London. Valued at £138 million (Rs 1440 crore), it stands as the most expensive real estate deal this year. The property, owned by Dominika Kulczyk, daughter of the late Polish businessman Jan Kulczyk, is set to become the second-most expensive home ever sold in London. Privately held Serum Life Sciences, a UK subsidiary of Serum Institute of India, will acquire the mansion, marking another milestone for the Poonawalla family.
Ravi Ruia
Meanwhile, Ravi Ruia, the owner of Essar Group, had also previously grabbed headlines with his purchase of a London Mansion valued at Rs 1,200 Crore. The property, known as Hanover Lodge Mansion, is currently under construction and offers scenic views of Regent’s Park at 150 Park Road. Previously owned by Russian property investor Andrey Goncharenko, the mansion was acquired by Ruia just two years ago in 2021. According to Bloomberg, this under-construction property is seen as a strategic investment for the Ruia family office. As of June 4, 2021, Forbes reports that Ravi Ruia and his brother Shashi Ruia have a combined net worth of $2.2 billion.
Pankaj Oswal
Pankaj Oswal and his wife Radhika have joined the league of extravagant real estate purchases, acquiring Villa Vari, valued at an astounding $200 million (Rs 1,649 crore approx). Situated in the Canton of Vaud in the picturesque Swiss village of Gingins, Vari Villa secures a spot among the globe’s top 10 most expensive residences. Spanning 40,000 square meters, the villa boasts a breathtaking view of the snow-capped peaks of Mount Blanc. Renowned interior designer Jeffrey Wilkes, celebrated for his work on prestigious projects like Oberoi Rajvilas and the Leela Hotels, has lent his touch to transform the villa to align with the Oswals’ taste and style.
Lakshmi Mittal
Lakshmi Mittal, the Indian steel tycoon, continues to be a prominent figure in the UK real estate scene. Though he listed his grand London home for sale in 2013, Mittal’s real estate prowess extends beyond that single property. According to HT, Mittal’s residences grace premium locations in the UK, including the Kensington Palace Gardens and Billionaires Row. Notably, reports from Business Insider reveal Mittal’s ownership of another opulent mansion named Summer Palace on Bishop Avenue. Lakshmi Mittal’s residence in leafy Kensington Palace Gardens, known as the world’s second most expensive street after Pollock’s Path in The Peak, Hong Kong, is situated on Billionaire’s Row. With an average price per square meter soaring to $107,000, Mittal’s house, numbered 18-19 on this prestigious street, was acquired at a staggering amount of 117 million pounds in May 2013, purchased from Israeli-American financier Noam Gottesman. The 12-bedroom mansion, featuring Taj Mahal quarry-imported marble, spans 55,000 sq ft and includes standout features such as a Turkish bath, an oak-panelled picture gallery, and a ballroom. Notably, Mittal generously gifted his daughter a $70 million mansion in the same year as the purchase for his son in 2008. The steel tycoon’s residences continue to epitomise luxury and grandeur in the realm of global real estate.
Hinduja family
The Hinduja family’s permanent residence in London, the Carlton House Terrace, stands out as a ‘Real Estate Masterpiece’ with a whopping value of $500 million. The impressive structure comprises four interconnected, six-story white Georgian houses, creating a marvelous residence. The Hinduja Brothers—Srichand, Gopichand, Prakash, and Ashok—owners of the Indian conglomerate Hinduja Group, discreetly own this luxurious property near Buckingham Palace, serving as their permanent residence. Acquired in 2006 for $58 million, the brothers invested an additional $50 million in renovations, officially opening the 25-bedroom estate in 2011. Designed by architect John Nash, the Carlton House Terrace has a rich history, initially constructed to fund the transformation of Buckingham House into Buckingham Palace.
Mukesh Ambani
Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, has expanded his international real estate portfolio with the acquisition of Stoke Park in London. Mukesh Ambani’s Stoke Park, purchased in 2020 for £57 million (Rs 592 crore), sprawls across 300 acres in the English countryside. Detailed in a report by Financial Express in March 2023, this grand property resembles a castle and operates as a five-star hotel. With 49 luxury rooms, three restaurants, a 4,000-sq ft gym and fitness centre, 13 multi-surface tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, and a magnificent 27-hole golf course, Stoke Park is more than just a lavish residence. Stoke Park’s illustrious history includes being Queen Elizabeth I’s home in 1581, attracting famous poets like Thomas Gray and numerous sculptors. The Royal family also frequented this property, celebrating special occasions like the 95th birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh and the 60th anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in 2016.
To conclude, the homes of these businessmen emerge as modern-day palaces. From the £138 million Aberconway House in London to the £57 million Stoke Park countryside estate, these residences redefine luxury living.