THE Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Bin Salman is on the verge of buying Newcastle United after having a £300million bid accepted by owner Mike Ashley.
Incredibly though, that’s only £70m more than he paid for the world’s most expensive house.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Bin Salman bought this French Chateau for £230mCredit: Reuters
The most incredible feature is its meditation room that features an aquariumCredit: � Magali Delporte / eyevine.
The Chateau Louis XIV is the world’s most expensive homeCredit: Reuters
Back in 2015, the billionaire, who failed in a bid to buy Manchester United, splashed £230m on this stunning 50,000 sq ft French chateau.
Chateau Louis XIV is modelled on 17th-century French castles, but was built between 2008-11 in Louveciennes, near Versailles.
Before the 34-year-old prince bought the palace, Kim Kardashian once considered it as a venue for her wedding to Kanye West.
Join SunSport in marvelling at Bin Salman’s luxury abode – that features an astonishing aquarium.
KEEPING IT QUIET
When Bin Salman purchased the Chateau Louis XIV – he didn’t want anyone to know about it.
He carefully concealed his ownership by using shell companies in France and Luxembourg.
But after further investigation it turned out those companies are under the Eight Investment Company umbrella – a Saudi firm that’s managed by the head of prince’s personal foundation.
Emad Khashoggi, the nephew of billionaire arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, developed the property – bulldozing the original 19th century castle and rebuilding it with 21st century amenities. In fact, it’s so hi-tech – fountains, sound systems, the lights, and air conditioning are all controlled by iPhone.
Gold is a common theme throughout the lavish palaceCredit: � Magali Delporte / eyevine.
The grounds span 57 acresCredit: PA:Press Association
The wine cellar can store up to 3,000 bottlesCredit: � Magali Delporte / eyevine.
There are two swimming pools at the property, one indoors, one outCredit: � Magali Delporte / eyevine.
Fancy expensive art decorates the wallsCredit: � Magali Delporte / eyevine.
Bin Salman also has his own nightclub, should he wish to entertain guestsCredit: � Magali Delporte / eyevine.
THE SPECS
The most incredible feature of Chateau Louis XIV is its meditation room, or chilling room inside the castle’s moat.
It features a transparent underwater chamber, something you might see in a James bond film, that has sturgeon and koi swimming around.
Other lavish features include a statue of Louis XIV made of expensive Carrara marble overlooking the 57-acre grounds.
In terms of comfort, there are 10 bedroom suites, a huge reception room with a 52ft-high painted dome ceiling, a library, as well as a wine cellar that can store up to 3,000 bottles – enough to toast success with Newcastle.
It also has indoor and outdoor pools, a private cinema, a squash court, two ballrooms, and a nightclub.
Kim Kardashian came to inspect the palace in 2014 as a potential wedding venueCredit: 2014 Marc Piasecki
No expense was spared designing the palace from scratchCredit: � Magali Delporte / eyevine.
The staircases feature gold leafCredit: � Magali Delporte / eyevine.
The indoor swimming pool is in the basementCredit: � Magali Delporte / eyevine.
Fountains are operated through an app on an iPhoneCredit: 2014 Marc Piasecki
HEY BIG SPENDER
In 2015, Bin Salman threatened to go over his limit on his American Express Centurion Card.
He spent £452m on a 440 ft super-yacht – bought from a Russian tycoon after being wowed by it while on holiday France.
Feeling that it looked a bit bare and needed some decorating, he then acquired Leonardo Da Vinci’s £350m Salvator Mundi masterpiece and is believed to have installed the painting on the mega boat.
However, it is the Chateau Louis XIV that required the most fuss.
Town officials who worked with designer Khashoggi revealed it became an obsession – likening construction to the building of the Palace of the Versailles.
Chateau Louis XIV was one of three extravagant purchases by Bin SalmanCredit: AFP – Getty
Emad Khashoggi, the nephew of billionaire arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, developed the homeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Like its inspiration the Palace of Versailles, all aspects of its design are over the top and of the highest qualityCredit: � Magali Delporte / eyevine.
“Khashoggi said it was the dream of his life to make a thing like that,” former Louveciennes deputy mayor Marianne Merlino told the NY Times.
“Like in Versailles, that was way over the top too, and like Louis XIV, he achieved something really quite incredible.”
And judging by these pictures, you can’t argue with that.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
