The most expensive houses in the U.S. are more than just displays of wealth and opulence. They also showcase a wide range of architectural styles, having been designed by some of the world鈥檚 leading architects.
In this post, we鈥檒l take a look at the 25 most expensive houses in the U.S. as outlined by and . Those sources have ranked these properties based on their asking prices. Actual closing prices may differ.
25 Most Expensive Houses in the U.S.
1. The One
is a stunning property in Bel Air by developer Nile Niami, who specializes in creating jaw-dropping residences for the world鈥檚 richest. It is a 105,000-square-foot megamansion. Los Angeles may never see another home of that scale as the city tightened regulations following The One鈥檚 construction, according to .
The property was designed by architect Paul McClean of Dublin, who moved to California in the 1990s and has since the 鈥淢egamansion King of Los Angeles.鈥 His work is inspired by that of the city鈥檚 early Modernist architects, an influence one can clearly see in The One.
Architect: Paul McClean
Asking Price: $500 Million
2. The Chartwell Estate
The Chartwell Estate is a 10-acre property housing a luxurious French Neoclassical estate. With its facade made from limestone and lush greens, it鈥檚 not hard to see why the Chartwell Estate鈥檚 main residence is one of the most expensive houses in the U.S. The home was built in the 1930s for a civil engineer. Univision mogul A. Jerrold Perenchio later owned it up until his recent death, after which The Chartwell Estate was sold to Rupert Murdoch鈥檚 son. In the 1980s, Perenchio had the property鈥檚 interior renovated to better match its French Neoclassical exterior.
Architect: Sumner Spaulding
Asking Price: $350 Million
3. Bel Air Spec House
, the Bel Air Spec House topped the most expensive houses for sale in America. The fact that it no longer does, even at its quarter of a billion-dollar asking price in 2017, is a sign of how rapidly property valuations in Los Angeles are rising.
The lavish mansion took four years to build and, as one might expect, contains many exotic materials and stunning views.
Architect: Uberion
Asking Price: $250 Million
Sale Price: $94 Million (2019)
4. The Manor in Holmby Hills
The Manor is a stunning piece of French Chateau-style architecture in Los Angeles (you may be noticing a pattern here). It鈥檚 not hard to see why it鈥檚 one of the most expensive houses ever, with 123 rooms and square footage that rivals other luxury residences across the United States.
Built in 1988 for television producer Aaron Spelling and his wife Candy Spelling, it is one of the largest home鈥檚 in Los Angeles county.
Architect: James Langenheim
Asking Price: $200 Million
5. Owlwood in Holmby Hills
Owlwood in Holmby Hills, California was designed by renowned architect Robert D. Farquhar in 1936 for the widow of a retail tycoon. The property has a very storied history, having been the home of numerous media moguls following the original owner鈥檚 death.
Architect: Robert D. Farquhar
Asking Price: $180 Million
6. Great Island
Finally, we have one of the most expensive houses in the USA that鈥檚 not in California. Great Island is actually on the other side of the country in Connecticut, an hour away from NYC.
The island鈥檚 main property features stunning Guastavino-tile ceilings. Also o, is the ground鈥檚 original 1820s Colonial home, caretakers and seaside cottages and several other beach houses.
Architect: Philip Johnson
Asking Price: $175 Million
7. Manalapan Megamansion
The Manalapan Megamansion in Florida is another one of the most expensive houses on America鈥檚 east coast. It has a characteristically Floridan appearance, relying on rich woods, coral, marble, and other local materials.
Architect: ACI (Substantial Redesign In 2002)
Asking Price: $165 Million
8. 1080 Meadow Lane
1080 Meadow Lane is one of the most expensive houses for sale in the Hamptons. That鈥檚 saying something, considering the area around is home to some of the most affluent members of American society. Entrepreneur Robert Sillerman sold the contemporary property for $38 million in 2016, which seems like pennies in light of its current asking price of $150 million.
Architect: Undisclosed
Asking Price: $150 Million
9. West Creek Ranch
Leaving America鈥檚 coasts altogether, we arrive at this stunning ranch in Colorado. The West Creek Ranch is owned by Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks, who listed it for sale in 2017.
Those into collectibles will be intrigued to note that in addition to the buildings on the site, West Creek Ranch comes with Hendricks鈥 helicopter and car collection, to name a few perks.
Architect: Jamie Daugaard, Centre Sky Architecture
Asking Price: $149 Million
10. La Dune
La Dune is another one of the most expensive houses for sale in Southampton, New York. The property consists of two residences. It has caught the eye of many architecture enthusiasts, given its ties to Stanford White, a legendary architect renowned for his influence on residential design in the Hamptons and Manhattan.
Architect: McKim, Mead & White
Asking Price: $145 Million
11. Briar Patch
Briar Patch once topped lists of the most expensive houses ever in America. It was listed for sale by Chris Whittle, an education tycoon. The property was built in 1931, but later underwent a major renovation by architect Peter Marino.
Architect: Arthur C. Jackson (original)
Asking Price: $140 Million
12. Palazzo di Amore
Returning to America鈥檚 west coast, we have Palazzo di Amore in Beverly Hills. Befitting its eloquent name, Palazzo di Amore is widely considered one of America鈥檚 most beautiful homes. It exhibits the Mediterranean Revival architecture style, courtesy of architect Bob Ray Offenhauser and designer Alberto Pinto.
Architect: Bob Ray Offenhauser
Asking Price: $129 Million
13. Il Palmetto
Il Palmetto is a stunning Italian Renaissance mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. It was built in 1930, featuring more than 60,000 square feet. Architect Maurice Fatio was the original designer but the property was overhauled in more recent years by Fairfax and Sammons.
Architect: Maurice Fatio
Asking Price: $115 Million
14. Las Varas Ranch
Las Varas Ranch is unique among this list of the most expensive houses in the United States. While its initial asking price was $108 million in 2016, philanthropist Charles T. Munger purchased and the property to the University of California Santa Barbara. UCSB has committed to maintaining the property in its current function as a ranch.
While the ranch鈥檚 main residence is nowhere near as large as some of the stunning vistas on this list, it comes with a stunning view, complete with two miles of private beachfront.
Architect: Undisclosed
Asking Price: $108 Million
15. 10979 Chalon Road
The 31,000-square-foot mansion at 10979 Chalon Road is another one of Los Angeles鈥 most luxurious residences. It has 12 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, five bars, a two-lane bowling alley, theatre, and a 5,600 square foot master suite. Developer Donald Bolin purchased the Bel Air property for $1.2 million in 2011.
Architect: Undisclosed
Asking Price: $100 Million
16. 610 Los Trancos Road
Palo Alto is known as one of California鈥檚 most scenic areas. Those with just shy of $97 million to spare can enjoy stunning views of the region from 610 Los Trancos Road, the address of a four-story stunner of a mansion. It comes complete with a pizza room, spa, and sauna.
Architect: Undisclosed
Asking Price: $96.8 Million
17. Brookline Estate (Woodland Manor)
Brookline Estate is located just five miles from Boston and lies among some of the most stunning pieces of residential architecture in America. There鈥檚 a Jacobean Revival-style neighboring from 1893. The mansion at 150 Woodland Road is no slouch itself, representing one of America鈥檚 most beautiful sylvan estates. It was listed for sale in the mid-2010s by Reebok CEO Paul Fireman.
Architect: Shope Reno Wharton Architects
Asking Price: $90 Million
18. Holmby Hills Villa
Paul Williams, a Californian architect, designed the Holmby Hills Villa in 1930. It lies within the , an area of Los Angeles containing some of the city鈥檚 most expensive homes. The villa at 10250 Sunset Boulevard is one of the area鈥檚 most luxurious, featuring 30,000 square feet of space.
Architect: Paul Williams
Asking Price: $88 Million
19. Cher鈥檚 Former House
Interest in the property at 2727 Benedict Canyon Drive has largely centered on the celebrities (Cher and Eddie Murphy) who have owned it over the years. Befitting those residents, the property is architecturally stunning, featuring a Moroccan guest house and arched windows designed to take advantage of Southern California鈥檚 beautiful weather year-round.
Architect: Not Disclosed
Asking Price: $85 Million
20. Rancho San Carlos
With an initial asking price of $125 million, Rancho San Carlos in California would have ranked much higher had it not been for a price slash to $85 million.
The main house is the work of architect Reginal Johnson, featuring 30,000 square feet of living space. Also on the property are ten cottages.
Architect: Reginal Johnson
Asking Price: $85 Million
21. Bel Air Chateau
As its name would suggest, the Bel Air Chateau was designed to exemplify French Chateau architecture in the United States. Located at 630 Nimes Road, the chateau is fit for royalty. Its interior is inspired by architectural styles from around the world, including Moroccan and Turkish.
Architect: Not Disclosed
Asking Price: $85 Million
22. Del Dios Ranch
Del Dios Ranch is a beautiful example of contemporary architecture in Los Angeles. This often comes as a surprise to curious eyes, who often expect something more rustic given the property鈥檚 鈥渞anch鈥 moniker.
It was built in the 1970s but features styling that still looks modern today.
Architect: Fred Briggs
Asking Price: $85 Million
23. Beaux-Arts Mansion
The Beaux-Arts mansion on New York鈥檚 Upper East Side (just steps away from Central Park) harkens back to a more ornate era. The glittering , built in 1903, features six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and 14,700 square feet of living space.
Famed architect Wiliam T. Georgis led the renovation to bring back the estate to its original glory.
Architect: John H. Duncan (original)
Asking Price: $84.5 Million
24. 423 Park Avenue Penthouse
The tower at 432 Park Avenue bears the distinction of being the Western hemisphere鈥檚 largest residential tower. It is a fairly modern structure, having been completed in 2015. The penthouse on the 95th floor occupies more than 8,200 square feet of space. At nearly 1,400 feet above street level in a tower designed to sway in the wind, future residents would be wise to ensure they鈥檙e not afraid of heights before moving in.
Architect: Rafael Vi帽ioly
Asking Price: $82 Million
25. 901 N Alpine Drive
Once again, we have a stunning French Chateau-style building in Los Angeles. Although it looks like a centuries-old masterpiece, the home was only completed in 2012. Among its jaw-dropping features is a motor court designed to hold up to 40 vehicles.
Architect: Frank Valentino
Asking Price: $80 Million聽
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