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’s leading architects.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the 25 most expensive houses in the U.S. as outlined by Curbed and Love Property. 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
The One is a stunning property in Bel Air by developer Nile Niami, who specializes in creating jaw-dropping residences for the world’s 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’s construction, according to The Guardian.
The property was designed by architect Paul McClean of Dublin, who moved to California in the 1990s and has since become known as the “Megamansion King of Los Angeles.” His work is inspired by that of the city’s 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’s not hard to see why the Chartwell Estate’s 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’s son. In the 1980s, Perenchio had the property’s interior renovated to better match its French Neoclassical exterior.
Architect: Sumner Spaulding
Asking Price: $350 Million
3. Bel Air Spec House
Once upon a time, 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’s not hard to see why it’s 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’s 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’s 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’s not in California. Great Island is actually on the other side of the country in Connecticut, an hour away from NYC.
The island’s main property features stunning Guastavino-tile ceilings. Also on the island, is the ground’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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’ 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 reported 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’s west coast, we have Palazzo di Amore in Beverly Hills. Befitting its eloquent name, Palazzo di Amore is widely considered one of America’s 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 donated 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’s 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’ 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 reportedly 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’s 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’s a Jacobean Revival-style neighboring property from 1893. The mansion at 150 Woodland Road is no slouch itself, representing one of America’s 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 Platinum Triangle, an area of Los Angeles containing some of the city’s most expensive homes. The villa at 10250 Sunset Boulevard is one of the area’s most luxurious, featuring 30,000 square feet of space.
Architect: Paul Williams
Asking Price: $88 Million
19. Cher’s 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’s 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’s “ranch” 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’s Upper East Side (just steps away from Central Park) harkens back to a more ornate era. The glittering property, 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’s 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’re not afraid of heights before moving in.
Architect: Rafael Viñioly
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
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