By Sean Ballent
Due to the dwindling economy, many sellers of the world’s priciest properties have taken their homes off the market. Last month, investor Marty Zweig removed his $70 million Pierre Hotel penthouse, financier Leonard Ross delisted his $165 Hearst Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., in September, and late last year Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia removed his $135 million Aspen Ski Lodge from the rankings.
Last May, Donald Trump sold his $100 million Maison de L’Amitie in Palm Beach, Fla., to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev for $25 million less than the mansion’s asking price. The discount Rybolovlev received was the largest single residence price concession of all time. Even with the discount, Trump was able to make a sizable profit. Trump bought the home for $41 million four years ago.
So what is the world’s most expensive home of 2008? The 12 bedroom, 15 bathroom, $125 million Holmby Hills estate nabs the top honor. The property known as Fleur De Lys is stationed between Beverly Hills and Bel Air and once reined supreme in 2005.