Most Expensive Homes in the World

These are some of the world's most expensive properties, and the prices are as unique as the homes. Prices are approximate based on the exchange rate at the time of reporting.

$165 million
Beverly Hills, Calif.
Once owned by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, this expansive villa sits on
six and a half acres in Beverly Hills.A massive 75,000 square feet of living space is spread
across three stories. The home boasts 29 bedrooms and 40 bathrooms.The home was built in
1926 in the style of a Mediterranean villa and was featured in the 1972 film The Godfather.
The compound comprises six buildings, three swimming pools and a movie theater.

Bran Castle
$140 million
Brasov, Romania
Once inhabited by Romanian prince Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Count Dracula,
this castle, built in 1212, sits on 20 acres.The 17-bedroom castle rests on the top of a
cliff and offers views across the countryside and surrounding mountains.The current owner,
Dominic von Hapsburg, is running the home as a museum. For more information, contact Baytree Capital.

$138 million
Updown Court
Windlesham, Surrey
Larger than either Buckingham or Hampton Court palace, this 103-room home has 58 acres of gardens and woodlands, making it the idyllic English country home for those flush with cash.Several ballrooms and grand entrance ways punctuate this house, which has a panic room,
an indoor squash court, bowling alley, 50-seat cinema, helipads, space for eight limousines
and a heated marble driveway.Marble bathrooms are nice, but some would say indoor spas,
jacuzzis and pools with views of the grounds are better.
For more information contact Savills, Beauchamp Estates or Hamptons International.

$135 million
Hala Ranch
Aspen, Colo.
Until Tim Blixseth finishes constructing his $155 million Montana ski lodge, this 95-acre
ranch owned by Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, former Saudi Arabian ambassador to
the U.S., is the most expensive in the country.The Starwood Ranch estate boasts a 56,000-
square-foot mansion with 15 bedrooms and 16 baths.The estate features several smaller
buildings, stables, a tennis court and an indoor swimming pool.For more information contact
Joshua Saslove at Joshua & Co., or Gregory Antonsen of Christie's Great Estates.

$125 million
Maison de L'Amitie
Palm Beach, Fla.
In 2004, Donald Trump bought former health care executive Abe Gosman's palace, Maison de
L'Amitie, center, at a bankruptcy auction for $41.25 million. With the refurbished version--complete with ballroom, conservatory and 475 feet of oceanfront--Trump is confident the property will move.If the water is too rough on the beach, the property has a 100-foot swimming pool surrounded by gardens.For more information contact Christina Condon at Sotheby’s International Realty.

$100 million
Tranquility
Lake Tahoe, Nev.
Conveniently on the tax-free Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, this 210-acre property is owned by
Joel Horowitz, the cofounder of Tommy Hilfiger, who built the property from scratch.
The main house has 20,000 square feet of living space, is modeled after a northern European
mountain home and has a 3,500-bottle wine cellar. An indoor swimming pool and atrium, as well as a 19-seat movie theater, ensure constant entertainment, even if snowed in.For more information contact Shari Chase at Chase International.

$100 million
Waterfront Estate
Istanbul, Turkey
The fifth most expensive home in the world is in a somewhat unexpected spot, located on three-quarters of an acre directly on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.This residence offers more than 30,000 square feet of opulent living space in 64 rooms, which feature large windows looking to the water.Details include gilded moldings and crystal chandeliers. The mansion has a rare quay that is nearly 200-feet long.Listed with Alp Sahin at Luici Real Estate Agency.

Eurasia
$100 million
Moscow
This sizable property consists of an 11,700-square-foot manor house, two 4,000-square-foot guest houses and a 91,000-square-foot recreation center that has a pool, Turkish and Russian baths; a gym; sauna; and lounges. The property is 15 miles from the Moscow city center.



$99 million
Bishops Avenue
Hampstead, London
Just under the $100 million mark--depending on today’s exchange rate--the Toprak Mansion was built by Turkish entrepreneur Halis Toprak. The 28,000-square-foot house has a double staircase and glass elevator.There is a swimming pool with a glass bridge and a Turkish bath for 20.For more information, contact Glentree Estates.

$75 million
Three Ponds
Bridgehampton, N.Y.
Three Ponds, which encompasses more than 60 acres of Hamptons farmland, is named for its
surrounding lakes, but also features its own USGA-rated Rees Jones golf course.Surrounding
the main house are 14 gardens, a 75-foot-long swimming pool, golf pro shop, grass tennis court and a guest house.The main house, designed by architect Allan Greenberg, has a great room with a 28-foot-high domed ceiling.For more information contact Susan Breitenbach at Corcoran

Most Beautiful Colleges and Universities in the USA

American colleges and universities are rich with history and beauty. Luscious campuses built across the country feature brilliant architecture and landscaping. Many buildings have become national landmarks.We have ranked the top 20 most beautiful campuses in the nation. The list of world renown architects, who helped shape these school campuses, is endless.

20) Cornell University

On April 27, 1865, Senator Ezra Cornell offered his farm in Ithaca, New York, and $500,000 for the creation of Cornell University. Today, Cornell campus encompasses 745 acres. The main campus on East Hill in Ithaca is characterized by its diverse architectural style, including Victorian, Neoclassical buildings, Gothic, and modernist structures.

• Slideshow of Cornell University campus

19) Harvard University

• Slideshow of Harvard University campus

18) CUNY Brooklyn

The 26 acre Brooklyn campus, designed by Randolph Evans, feature Georgian-style buildings. The liberal arts instruction blend perfectly with the cultural backdrop of New York City.

• Slideshow of CUNY Brooklyn campus

17) Sewanee- University of the South

The centerpiece of the Sewanee campus, All Saints’ Chapel was designed by Edward McCrady. The chapel was completed in 2004, when the final stain glass window was installed.

• Slideshow of University of the South campus

16) Vanderbilt University

The core Vanderbilt campus is compact. The Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta designated the campus as a national arboretum for its green space and abundance of trees (over 300 species).

• Slideshow of Vanderbilt University campus

15) Elon University

Elon’s campus, located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, has already been recognized by Princeton Review as one of the nation’s most beautiful campuses. The 525-acre campus is separated in seven major sections and the wooden grounds have been designated a botanical garden.

• Slideshow of Elon University campus

14) Colgate University

• Slideshow of Colgate University campus

13) University of Hawaii, Manoa

Hawaii is perfect backdrop for a University campus, nestled between the city and the beach.

• Slideshow of University of Hawaii, Manoa campus

12) University of Alabama

The 1,000 acre University of Alabama campus features several buildings in the Greek Revival style. Campus landmarks include the the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, the President’s Mansion (survived the Civil War) and Denny Chimes.

• Slideshow of University of Alabama campus

11) New College of Florida

New College of Florida 144-acre bay front campus features several modernist architecture by I.M. Pei. The campuses main landmark are the three grand scale, Florida 1920s boom time residences listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Slideshow of New College of Florida campus

10) Wellesley College

• Slideshow of Wellesley College campus

9 ) Scripps College

The 30-acre campus is on the National Register of Historic Places. The campus was designed by renown architect Gordon Kaufmann in Mediterranean Revival Style architecture. A lush rose garden spans between Toll and Browning Halls. Several fruit trees are scattered on the campus including orange, pomegranate, grapefruit, kumquat, and loquat.

• Slideshow of Scripps College campus

8- Rhodes College

Rhodes College campus features thirteen stone Gothic architecture buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 100-acre campus maintains its Collegiate Gothic architecture even with newly built buildings.

• Slideshow of Rhodes College campus

7) Kenyon College

• Slideshow of Kenyon College campus

6) University of Virginia

• Slideshow of University of Virginia campus

5) Yale University

Yale University campus is mostly constructed in a neo-Gothic architecture style with several iconic modern building. Many stone sculptures on campus depict college personalities.

• Slideshow of Yale University campus

4) Stanford University

Stanford University features the largest university campus in the world. The stunning campus retains its original Spanish-colonial style, distinguished by red tile roofs and solid sandstone masonry. It remains the quintessential west coast university.

• Slideshow of Stanford University campus

3) Flagler College

The Flagler College main buildings used to be one of the states most luxurious hotels. The centerpiece of the campus, Ponce de Leon Hall is simply breathtaking. The campus is situated in historical downtown St.Augustine and consists of fifteen buildings.

• Slideshow of Flagler College campus

2) Pepperdine University

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Pepperdine University campus covers several Malibu ridges, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It features a classic Californian and Mediterranean architecture with a stylized cross, symbolizing the school’s Christian origins.

• Slideshow of Pepperdine University campus

1) Princeton University

Princeton’s campus features several renown buildings, presenting a mixture of Architectural movements (Collegiate Gothic style, Greek rival temples, modern buildings). The list of iconic architects, who designed building, is endless. Contemporary additions to the campus include IM Pei’s Spelman Halls and Robert Venturi’s Frist Campus Center. Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate, donated a man-made lake in 1830. The campus is situated one hour away from New York and Philadelphia.

• Slideshow of Princeton University campus