Xposting from the international forums for the new SSC India Mumbai section.

EDIT -- 18 Oct, 07; the building is slightly redesigned. See page 3. New design on left:
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9784/01sp3.jpg


http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/2342/15717938iu4.jpg

Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, India's largest private sector company, has been mooting the idea of a groundbreaking residence for his family for almost a decade. As is company is leading the charge in Indian real estate, with massive SEZs planned to come up across the country, Ambani wanted his residence, located at Altamount Road, in the heart of Mumbai's skyscraper construction scene, to reflect the future of Indian construction.

The design of the Residence Antilia, as it came to be called, was kept a close secret even after construction started a couple months ago. Several days ago, he finally approved the release of the building's design to the public.


The Perkins + Will-designed 27 storey tower already under construction is planned to be the greenest in Mumbai (in apparent conflict with the Park Hyatt Tower (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=471040) and Lodha Bellissimo (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=471379), which also claim the tag.) Like most capital projects in Mumbai, and reflective of Indian architecture and ancient Indian Vaastu Design, these buildings are to be garden buildings that, since they are skyscrapers, appropriately embody the garden-in-the-sky concept.

Residence Antilia goes one step further. It is designed as the largest and tallest "living wall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_wall)" in the world -- a seamless, vertical garden that encompasses all walls of the building climbing to the 40th floor. Within this Vaastu tradition, the spine is regarded as the main source of support of the building, symbolically leading upward toward enlightenment. The various floor planes encombass a variety of garden tiers, terraces, water falls, ponds, recreational facilities, and enclosed, living areas that takes advantage of the most spectacular views of Mumbai and its waterfront.

You can see this goal in even the original plan of the tower:
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5692/22400835ga3.jpg


The building's height is significant. At 245m, it will be one of the tallest buildings in Mumbai. Although it only has only 40 floors, due to the non-standard design of the building, using the Indian construction standard of about 3.5m/floor, it will have the virtual height of a 70 storey tower, and will rival the nearby Imperial Twin Towers (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=471390) in height.

The tower will have 6 floors of parking; several floors of just gardens; a couple "entertainment" floors including a massive theater; 2 floors of guest apartments, and various floors dedicated to the kitchen, laundry and other services. Reliance Corporate offices will be in the bottom floors and the private Ambani family residence will make up the topmost several floors. A helipad is designed on top, but there is mixed reports on whether this feature has been actually approved by the authorities.

Construction is well underway, can can be seen in the skyline. With nearly two floors being added every day, construction is expected to be completed by November, 2008.

Cheers,
Jai

Would love to see some interior shots & whats the progress so far?

Oops, forgot to include the updates...

An update on this project from Architectural Record. Thanks to spyguy for finding it

Perkins + Will Debunks Antilia Myths (http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/071018perkinswill.asp)
October 18, 2007

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9739/071018perkinswill1qj3.jpg

by Neelam Mathews with additional reporting by James Murdock

Construction is underway, albeit with some delays, on one of India’s highest profile and most opulent projects—the Antilia, a 490-foot-tall corporate meeting facility and private residence in Mumbai. Chicago-based Perkins + Will designed the 24-story tower for business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, whose family will occupy roughly 35,000 square feet in its top floors.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/2643/071018perkinswill2mh9.jpg
^ The tower features several garden levels and a trellis, which supports panels of hydroponically grown plans, that act like a green band weaving in and out of the building to demarcate different program elements

It seems fitting that for a building named after a mythical island, rumors have swirled about the exact program of Antilia since a local newspaper first published renderings of it earlier this year. Ambani, who is chairman of the petro-giant Reliance Industries, has a net worth estimated at more than $21 billion. Some accounts falsely reported that the tower will rise 60 stories and that the Ambani family would occupy all of it.

“There’s been a lot of crazy things floating around,” says Ralph Johnson, Perkins + Will firm-wide design principal, “but there’s actually a lot of positive things to talk about because it’s an interesting building.”

Among its interesting elements, Antilia will feature a band of vertical and horizontal gardens that demarcates the tower’s different program elements. A garden level will separate the ground-floor parking and conference center from residential space above, for instance, and the outer walls on certain levels will be sheltered by trellises supporting panels that contain hydroponically grown plants.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8980/071018perkinswill3tc0.jpg
^ A large garden occupying a floor near the tower’s mid-section will separate the corporate meeting facility and parking levels from residential space above.

In addition to signaling different space uses and providing privacy, these “vertical gardens” will help shade the building and reduce the urban heat island effect. “You can use the whole wall almost like a tree and increase the green area of the site by five or 10 times over what it would be if you just did a green roof,” Johnson observers. “It’s a prototype for buildings of the future.”

Antilia’s roots also draw on the traditional Indian concept of Vaastu. Similar to Feng Shui, the practice orients a building in harmony with energy flows. At Antilia, the overall plan is based on the square, which is Vaastu’s basic geometric unit, and a garden level occupies the tower’s midsection, the point where all energies converge according to the Vaastu Purusha Mandala.

Perkins + Will won the commission for Antilia in 2004, besting Foster + Partners, SITE, Wilkinson & Eye, and Ken Yang. The building occupies a one-acre site on Altamount Road, where real estate prices top $1,000 per-square-foot. Construction had reached Antilia’s mid-section garden, but was halted this summer after a land dispute. Although the delay is expected to be temporary, many Indians nevertheless feel that the residence flaunts the country’s socialist sensitivities—and that it is excessive and ostentatious given that more than 65 percent of Mumbai’s 18 million residents live in tenements.

Others, though, find aspects of the skyscraper to admire. Mumbai-based architect Hafeez Contractor praises Antilia’s efficient use of land. “Occupying less space on the ground decongests the area at the ground level so more trees can be planted,” he explains. “Ambani’s choice will make high-rises more acceptable.”


Note that the tower's design has changed somewhat. The helipad is gone and in lieu of that, a couple more floors have been added:
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9784/01sp3.jpg

Some more updates...
Some construction pics from 2007:

Taken from the tower site
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/9656/antila20sleep20053si3.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1615/antila20sleep20051ie5.jpg

Here's a much clearer construction update - found on youtube by Suncity:

video by akshayjawanjal
2ASNE1eZiYw

The video is dated earlier this month. The pictures posted in my last post were taken from the topmost-constructed floor of the tower.

From it we can get a rough estimate as to how far along the tower is as of Feb, 2008:
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/4513/image5xi5.jpg

Dont like the design very mushc though I do appreciate the green elements they have incorporated.Gald that they now now call it his office+ residence-publicizing it as just an expensive house I think was a bad PR move.

Forbes has published two articles on Antilia along with some new exterior + interior renderings and designs -

No Housing Problem Here (http://www.forbes.com/personalfinance/guruinsights/forbes/2008/0519/044.html)

Once he has moved into the new single-family residence he is building for himself in Mumbai, India, Mukesh Ambani will have one of two options when he needs to step out for a quart of milk: He can copter from his rooftop helipad, or he can exit at street level, 550 feet below.

It's a big house.

Originally it was planned to have 45 stories, but the Ambanis decided they wanted more headroom. So, when completed in early 2009, the house will stand 27 stories covering 400,000 square feet. No zoning (or neighbor) problems; it's in the business district. The cost, originally set at $1 billion, is approaching $2 billion. Ambani, head of petrochemicals giant Reliance Industries, can afford it. FORBES ranks him the fifth-richest man in the world, at $43 billion.

The home's amenities include: separate gym for each family member, six stories of parking, four stories of open-air gardens, a ballroom covered with crystal chandeliers, a 65-seat theater, a spa, a swimming pool and an ice room. The ice room has you sitting while snow drifts onto your head, a nice way to escape from the Mumbai heat. Good luck picking out a housewarming gift.

So why did the Ambanis decide to go so big? Turns out the ultrarich aren't so different from the rest of us. They were living in a 22-story building, and it was time to upgrade. With the bigger residence they might be able to entice their two sons to move back after they finish college.

Exterior
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4361/exphome1dk2.jpg
Antilla, the partially completed home of Mumbai-based petrochemicals giant Reliance Industries head Mukesh Ambani, will stand 27 stories high and is expected to cost $2 billion. Ambani, the fifth richest man in the world, his wife and three children currently live in a 22-story Mumbai tower the family has spent years remodeling and refashioning to meet its needs.


Garage
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6733/exphome9gm0.jpg
The first six floors of the residence will be dedicated to parking for the Ambani family, guests and employees. Hanging vertical gardens dot the exterior. While they make for good decoration, their key function has to do with energy efficiency: The hydroponic plants, grown in liquid nutrient solutions instead of soil, lower the energy footprint of the home by absorbing heat and sunlight and providing shade that helps keep it cool.

Roof
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5380/exphome10cl9.jpg
The top floor features a covered, outdoor entertaining space with panoramic views of the Mumbai skyline as well as the Arabian Sea. On those days when it's too hot, or cold, an interior space with floor-to-ceiling windows provides the same luxury.


A slideshow with renderings and designs of the interior can be found here (http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/30/home-india-billion-forbeslife-cx_mw_0430realestate_slide_2.html?thisSpeed=20000)


Inside The World's First Billion-Dollar Home (http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/30/home-india-billion-forbeslife-cx_mw_0430realestate.html)

While visiting New York in 2005, Nita Ambani was in the spa at the Mandarin Oriental New York, overlooking Central Park. The contemporary Asian interiors struck her just so, and prompted her to inquire about the designer.

Nita Ambani was no ordinary tourist. She is married to Mukesh Ambani, head of Mumbai-based petrochemical giant Reliance Industries, and the fifth richest man in the world. ( Lakshmi Mittal, ranked fourth, is an Indian citizen, but a resident of the U.K.)

Forbes estimated Ambani's net worth at $43 billion in March. Reliance Industries was founded by Mukesh's father, Dhirubhai Ambani, in 1966, and is India's most valuable firm by market capitalization. The couple, who have three children, currently live in a 22-story Mumbai tower that the family has spent years remodeling to meet its needs.

Like many families with the means to do so, the Ambanis wanted to build a custom home. They consulted with architecture firms Perkins + Will and Hirsch Bedner Associates, the designers behind the Mandarin Oriental, based in Dallas and Los Angeles, respectively. Plans were then drawn up for what will be the world's largest and most expensive home: a 27-story skyscraper in downtown Mumbai with a cost nearing $2 billion. The architects and designers are creating as they go, altering floor plans, design elements and concepts as the building is constructed.

The only remotely comparable high-rise property currently on the market is the $70 million triplex penthouse at the Pierre Hotel in New York, designed to resemble a French chateau, and climbing 525 feet in the air. When the Ambani residence is finished in January, completing a four-year process, it will be 550 feet high with 400,000 square feet of interior space.

The home will cost more than a hotel or high-rise of similar size because of its custom measurements and fittings: A hotel or condominium has a common layout, replicated on every floor, and uses the same materials throughout the building (such as door handles, floors, lamps and window treatments).

The Ambani home, called Antilla, differs in that no two floors are alike in either plans or materials used. At the request of Nita Ambani, say the designers, if a metal, wood or crystal is part of the ninth-floor design, it shouldn't be used on the eleventh floor, for example. The idea is to blend styles and architectural elements so spaces give the feel of consistency, but without repetition.

Antilla's shape is based on Vaastu, an Indian tradition much like Feng Shui that is said to move energy beneficially through the building by strategically placing materials, rooms and objects.

Pricey Pad

Atop six stories of parking lots, Antilla's living quarters begin at a lobby with nine elevators, as well as several storage rooms and lounges. Down dual stairways with silver-covered railings is a large ballroom with 80% of its ceiling covered in crystal chandeliers. It features a retractable showcase for pieces of art, a mount of LCD monitors and embedded speakers, as well as stages for entertainment. The hall opens to an indoor/outdoor bar, green rooms, powder rooms and allows access to a nearby "entourage room" for security guards and assistants to relax.

Ambani plans to occasionally use the residence for corporate entertainment, and the family wants the look and feel of the home's interior to be distinctly Indian; 85% of the materials and labor will come from outside the U.S., most of it from India.

Where possible, the designers say, whether it's for the silver railings, crystal chandeliers, woven area rugs or steel support beams, the Ambanis are using Indian companies, contractors, craftsmen and materials firms. Elements of Indian culture juxtapose newer designs. For example, the sinks in a lounge extending off the entertainment level, which features a movie theater and wine room, are shaped like ginkgo leaves (native to India) with the stem extending to the faucet to guide the water into the basin.

On the health level, local plants decorate the outdoor patio near the swimming pool and yoga studio. The floor also features an ice room where residents and guests can escape the Mumbai heat to a small, cooled chamber dusted by man-made snow flurries.

For more temperate days, the family will enjoy a four-story open garden. In profile, the rebar-enforced beams form a "W" shape that supports the upper two-thirds of the building while creating an open-air atrium of gardens, flowers and lawns. Gardens, whether hanging hydroponic plants, or fixed trees, are a critical part of the building's exterior adornment but also serve a purpose: The plants act as an energy-saving device by absorbing sunlight, thus deflecting it from the living spaces and making it easier to keep the interior cool in summer and warm in winter. An internal core space on the garden level contains entertaining rooms and balconies that clear the tree line and offer views of downtown Mumbai.

The top floors of entertaining space, where Ambani plans to host business guests (or just relax) offer panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.

The second page (http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/30/home-india-billion-forbeslife-cx_mw_0430realestate_2.html) of the above article doesn't load for some reason.

great find!

Its wonderful and good luck to them all.

Antila (http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/64347/mukesh-ambanis-new-abode-worth-2-billion.html)

The second page of that article is now accessible. It has this rendering in it:

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6045/ambanihome426wrm3.jpg

I hope that after this Tina ambani also nag her husband and Mumbai will have another residence tower like this.

ready in end 2008 or early 2009 according to a friend of mine whos working on it. mukesh wants it finished asap

The home will cost more than a hotel or high-rise of similar size because of its custom measurements and fittings: A hotel or condominium has a common layout, replicated on every floor, and uses the same materials throughout the building (such as door handles, floors, lamps and window treatments).

The Ambani home, called Antilla, differs in that no two floors are alike in either plans or materials used. At the request of Nita Ambani, say the designers, if a metal, wood or crystal is part of the ninth-floor design, it shouldn't be used on the eleventh floor, for example. The idea is to blend styles and architectural elements so spaces give the feel of consistency, but without repetition.


Im not against this building but just baffled at the cost as I am struggling to know why its costing $2bn even after reading the above statement.

Even if the interiors are lavish as they sound etc, I still dont think it would cost that much! I knowits an unsual tower, are the architects charging a fortune for the unique design even with green elements?

Does this cost take count of real estate values as well as it net worth?

Perhaps I missed something?

For $2bn you can build an entire city in India and house the many people in the slums who just dont have proper sanitation for example.

For $2bn you can build an entire city in India and house the many people in the slums who just dont have proper sanitation for example.
Yeah :(

Though for what its worth, this is the first article I've read claiming $2 bil. Others claimed $1 bil. Still not chump change, but more realistic

^ Yeah, All the articles that are popping up google news are reporting it to be worth $2Bn citing Forbes magazine.

anyways, here are two pics taken in July 2007 from Getty Images -

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/3851/75024608ah5.jpg


http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6594/80957967rv1.jpg


Yesterday I uploaded that video posted by Euromast onto youtube and as of now I've got a whopping 23k+ views

QFMNXOJ3-dA

Here's NDTV's coverage on the Ambani house. They show the same renderings but also show us glimpses of the tower U/C

gs6JD2VLAGo


Some screenshots -

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/8890/61866513mr7.jpg


http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5228/55351959av9.jpg


http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/2106/54187356nv7.jpg


http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/6945/25977187lm2.jpg


http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/6487/99444315oy2.jpg


http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9539/59119451pu3.jpg

Yeah :(

Though for what its worth, this is the first article I've read claiming $2 bil. Others claimed $1 bil. Still not chump change, but more realistic

thats like almost four world class airports ...
crazy money.... crazy rich people..

thats like almost four world class airports ...
crazy money.... crazy rich people..

If this guy has 43 billion, it means he can invest so much more into indian infrastructure. Wonder whats stopping him!

Nice.. its several stories taller than it was in Feb

Im not against this building but just baffled at the cost as I am struggling to know why its costing $2bn even after reading the above statement.

The valuation of the building may not be the same as the real cost to build it.

The median price in South Mumbai is more than Rs 20,000 per sq ft. At 4,00,000 sq ft that comes to Rs 8,000,000,000 (eight billion rupees). Divide by 40 ($1 = Rs 40) and you get $200,000,000 ( Two hundred million). That's as close as I can get about - 1.8 billion dollars short of target. Maybe all those 'green features', special architects and construction cost, luxurious interiors and furnishings will add up to that much.

:lol:

ambanis got incredible wealth.

each floor for each member of the family!! thats just nuts.

Thanks the the clarification Sun!

this multi million dollar baby is an incredible structure for sure! I wonder how the owner will take sleep in this highly expensive home.

If this guy has 43 billion, it means he can invest so much more into indian infrastructure. Wonder whats stopping him!

the $43B is not lying in some banks! That's the total worth of all of the assets he owns. And Reliance is also spending heavily on multitude of business in India, which provides employment to tens of thousands.

sorry to bring this back, but is the project completed? any recent pics of it?

Go back one page, zeeshan66. :)

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/realestatenews/archives/137959.asp

Seattle Real Estate News

$2 billion home
An Indian industrialist is building the world's first billion-dollar home, which actually will cost $2 billion, according to a story in Forbes (complete with pictures).

The owner, Mukesh Ambani, is head of Mumbai-based petrochemical giant Reliance Industries, and the fifth richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of $43 billion, according to Forbes.

He, his wife and their three children currently live in a 22-story Mumbai tower that the family has spent years remodeling. Their new home, scheduled for completion in January, will be a 27-story, 400,000-square-foot skyscraper in downtown Mumbai.

No two floors are alike in either plans or materials used, according to Forbes. "If a metal, wood or crystal is part of the ninth-floor design, it shouldn't be used on the eleventh floor, for example."

The home's shape "is based on Vaastu, an Indian tradition much like Feng Shui that is said to move energy beneficially through the building by strategically placing materials, rooms and objects."

This week's India Today magazine (int. version) carries an article on the Antilia tower. Here's a picture of the tower u/c -

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1792/antiliaqe7.jpg

^^

cool update

Good update. Taking shape well

Great update.

some images courtesy BhairavP at BRF. Antilia has added 2 more floors since the last update.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2902/51670036qu2.jpg


http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7053/25923025oc5.jpg


http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4411/10428024ek2.jpg


http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6541/72752520nu6.jpg


http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/7373/96316703ox4.jpg

Cool update, its looking good

great updates IU!!

Nice Pics IU..

though i cant wait to see the finished product ,i dont know if i will ever like this building.. i will have to try real hard to over look the stupid idea of this building.

a bit old, but cool street view shots from fotocorp (http://fotocorp.com/):

May 2
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/1575/61752570od1.jpg


http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5615/43489710ol2.jpg

July first week

Photo copyright David

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8361/ambanitowersdavidsy6.jpg

^^ nice. both Imperial Towers are visible in the background. :)

as on July 26th

Pics copyright Jesse Michael Nix
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/1847/2763279495cef32e14c4bjlup3.jpg



http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/5690/27632752936062d79c1ebfq1.jpg

http://img33.picoodle.com/data/img33/3/9/14/f_mumbaim_d3d0452.jpg

Any updates on this one?
This is a great project for what will surely be one of the greatest cities in the world in two or three decades' time...

Go India! I'm supporting your economic rise all the way!

from the Mumbai Cityscapes thread -

photo copyright Samir

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/2374/ambaniandimperialsamireja9.jpg

how many floors does kanchanjunga have?

antilia seem to be massive in front of it

how many floors does kanchanjunga have?

antilia seem to be massive in front of it

Kunchenjunga is 24 storeys and stands tall at 84 mts.

oh no wonder antilia appears tall,so basically antilia is equivalant of a 50fl building

I thought Kanchen Ganga was 32 floors...

Nope its 27 floors with 84 m 275 ft .

November 23
copyright Reuters
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4707/ambani4tk1.jpg


cropped and maximized:
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9690/ambani5im1.jpg



http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/792/ambani3od7.jpg

Simply awesome find!!!

:cheers:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3529/3176713062_8831425e9e_b.jpg

Just curious, can this tower be seen in the Queen's Necklace Skyline?

^^
'coz it's being built on a hillock (Altamount road).

copyright firoz bharmal
December 5
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr322/Bob885/image002mq5.jpg

This seems to be competing with the Imperial towers!
Ambani could've helped the mumbai slums rather than build this building for himself.
But atleast it's innovative in design and features

.
The view from Imperial Towers featuring Antilla

photo copyright nameilus

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2151/mumbaiviewnamieluste1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
.

Impressive pic.

^^Now that is a giant.
I think the Imperials are behind the Residence in this pic.

^ The image was taken from the 30th floor of one of the Imperials

Ambani could've helped the mumbai slums rather than build this building for himself.


The question is whether all the pro poor NGOs and Politicians would have allowed Ambanis to invest in rebuilding slums. The politicians would try to siphon off the money themselves and the NGOs would be busy bickering or organizing protests or filing court cases as to how best to rehabilitate the slum dwellers.

The question is whether all the pro poor NGOs and Politicians would have allowed Ambanis to invest in rebuilding slums. The politicians would try to siphon off the money themselves and the NGOs would be busy bickering or organizing protests or filing court cases as to how best to rehabilitate the slum dwellers.

I agree...

Let Ambani build this Awesome house first, we need more Ambani's in India, how can we put all the blame of slum development on this person alone.

i would rather ambani build great institutions like the american businessmen or the parsis of british india. world class universities, theatres, cultural centres. they dont seem to be doing that too much either, which is quite sad

^^^^

Yeah... except unnecessarily buying a plane Mukesh's wife....

^^^^

Yeah... except unnecessarily buying a plane Mukesh's wife....

Hey, nobody tells you how to spend your money. He just has more of it.

^^
Seriously!

An A319?? How measly.
I'd buy a bigger aeroplane if I had Ambani's money.

^^An A380 airbus Maybe?

Why would you want a big one. Its only going to be for his family and friends.

This is no more heinous than rich people building estates or buying islands.

Where are all the hypocritical detractors of this building ranting about them at?

I think you all have watched Slumdog Millionaire more than once.....

^^
Seriously!

An A319?? How measly.
I'd buy a bigger aeroplane if I had Ambani's money.

Well, Mr Mallya may have a few 380s to spare.

i would rather ambani build great institutions like the american businessmen or the parsis of british india. world class universities, theatres, cultural centres. they dont seem to be doing that too much either, which is quite sad

If the Ambanis can generate employments in the thousands, that alone will suffice for the lack of not building a National Centre for Performing Arts which only the well heeled go to

If the Ambanis can generate employments in the thousands, that alone will suffice for the lack of not building a National Centre for Performing Arts which only the well heeled go to

generating employment is a matter of course for a businessman and mostly for self-interest. great philantrophy is an initiative and worthy of praise. an IISc, tata memorial, carnegie mellon, harvard, etc are worth a lot more to a nation than 5,000 extra jobs. its extremely sad that the culture of philantrophy is not well-developed in india. maybe the GoI is to blame for it as well. they put up barriers most of the time instead of facilitating it

^^
Seriously!

An A319?? How measly.
I'd buy a bigger aeroplane if I had Ambani's money.

she aint worth it.

Ambanis were the first ones to create a family of shareholders who were well rewarded during eighties and nineties. Their numbers run into millions. I personally know a few govt employees who retired in the late eighties and were able to turn their hard earned but meager PF amounts into substantial sums through their shares. I don't think any of the other family owned businesses in India at that time could make such a claim. And to think that they did this despite the Govt is creditable.
Ok This is not a topic for this thread.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/3227470797_7f21faa502_o.jpg

Antilia & Sreepati Arcade . View From Peddar Road

Antilia & Sreepati Arcade . View From Peddar Road

You mean Ispat and Antilia?

Great photo!

:banana:

You mean Ispat and Antilia?

Great photo!

:banana:

is it??/ well then i stand corrected

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3224287729_a1e61ae80d_b.jpg

Antilia & Sreepati Arcade . View From Peddar Road

Great pic but if thats the view ambanis are going to have from their 2B $ house then i dont know if their decision was the best in their lives.

^^ I think they will start cleaning up the area around antilia just to improve their view.

^^ I think they will start cleaning up the area around antilia just to improve their view.

they will .But their view from the 25th floor will be fine...

Great updates! If they wanted a view they could have built it on Malabar hill. Even though its already on a hill there are alot of tall buildings around blocking the view.

This will make all the people around the vicinity to start dreaming big or atleast bigger than they have. This is definitely a precedent t much taller buildings in mumbai.

Nice building.Ambani has the money to do it but I still think publicizing it a one person's residence is poor PR for the man and his company when its coming up in a place like Bombay.

January 9
Copyright RJ77
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3199/a1nb3.jpg


http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/895/a2bk5.jpg


http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/751/a3vb4.jpg

^^ its different but nonetheless its a little ugly.

No, it's beautiful! It's a true landmark. I hope more buildings like this will be built. Hopefully here in the Netherlands too!

Its not a commercial building with tons of apartments. Its a residence and should be different. Living in a plain glass building all to yourself would be ugly. :cheers:

Oh my word, I've only just realised that this is ONE PERSON'S house! As gts428 says, it's not very good for Ambani's image. Who needs a 173m tall house?

Bhailog, KBji ke liye hua fotos hai neechu ko:

all photos copyright: KB335ci2



Peddar road @ 2.20pm
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/9296/p1010023lh4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/p1010023lh4.jpg/1/w768.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img156/p1010023lh4.jpg/1/)
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/2401/p1010024nb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/p1010024nb2.jpg/1/w1024.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img124/p1010024nb2.jpg/1/)

Thats a nice sight.. the BMW on Bombay streets. Hope to see more of them.

Great photos everyone.

^^
There are TONS! ;)

awsome!!! :banana::banana::banana::banana:

pic by MFitch
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6706/mfitchjpg3zd8.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/6532/mfitchjpg4dh5.jpg

February 17
Copyright Teresa
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8504/feb17teresa.jpg

A comparison -

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/8318/antilia.jpg
Pics copyright Mihir and Teresa

March 1st

Copyright: KB335ci2

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/9954/p1010048.jpg (http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010048.jpg)

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/4431/p1010051k.jpg (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010051k.jpg)

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/2703/p1010056r.jpg (http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010056r.jpg)

Great photos!

Whats that black building with the green cover on the top?

April 12
Copyright Yash/SummerMoon'91
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/937/yash.jpg

older pic but worth it.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/indrajal/Cities/TallBldgs2_AntiliaTower.jpg
Source:http://www.ctbuh.org/LinkClick.aspx?link=819&tabid=53
please visit the above site for more pics and a foreign students bid to understand and improve mumbai infrastructure.

Source:http://www.ctbuh.org/LinkClick.aspx?link=819&tabid=53
please visit the above site for more pics and a foreign students bid to understand and improve mumbai infrastructure.
Oh, interesting... so that's what the guy from Remaking of Mumbai Foundation was talking about. An invitation was extended to me to participate... it's rather a pity I was not able to attend.. woulda been able to see a lot of these buildings first hand

Oh my word, I've only just realised that this is ONE PERSON'S house! As gts428 says, it's not very good for Ambani's image. Who needs a 173m tall house? :bash:

Its for a family and not one person!

Plus many guest rooms so their friends & family can stay over.

Nevertheless people the world over live in large residences, so what! If you got the money flaunt it.

I like this building, its not ugly its unique, great pics btw. :)

I'm glad a unique building like this is being built in Mumbai. It's time we venture into new areas ourselves instead of waiting for others to do them first. I hope even more bold projects are introduced.


Thats a nice sight.. the BMW on Bombay streets. Hope to see more of them.

Check this thread by monkey1:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=845342

By jimwnyc (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimwnyc/3442202784/)

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8059/3442202784eddbe341b1b.jpg

Antilia has topped out. http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/7374/20113664.gif From the Mumbai cityscapes thread:

Scroll=====>
From DNA ad:
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4103/epaperimages23042009230.jpg

WOW... That was fast...

so lets change the tag from u/c to T/O now

Yippie !!!

Great! Can't wait for the construction to be done :cheers:

And the worlds most expensive house tops out! Hooray! :drunk:

Press Release

Gulf Extrusions signs USD 3.5 million deal to supply aluminium profiles for world’s most expensive home

Company to supply total of 460 MT of unitized system for ‘Antilia Residence’ owned by Reliance Industries Chairman in Mumbai

May 07, 2009
Gulf Extrusions, one of the largest aluminium extrusion plants in the Gulf, has announced the signing of a USD 3.5 million contract with India’s Reliance Engineering Associates for the supply of 460 MT (metric tons) of unitized system, which will be used in the USD 1 billion plus ‘Antilia Residence’ project in Mumbai. Expected to be the world’s most expensive home, the 27-storied residence with six floors of parking, belongs to the Chairman of Reliance Industries, Mukesh Ambani.

The ‘Antilia Residence’ is designed as the largest and tallest ‘living wall’ in the world – a seamless, vertical garden that encompasses all walls of the building. The residence – which upon completion mid next year will scale a height of 173 meters – will feature an entertainment floor; a health floor with a swimming pool and health club; a helipad; six floors of apartments for the Ambani family and their guests; and terrace gardens.

Robert Holtkamp, Director of Sales and Marketing, Gulf Extrusions, said, “Being chosen to supply aluminium profiles for such a prestigious project in India is a reflection of the excellent reputation Gulf Extrusions has built over the years. Moreover, this project will also strategically complement our plans to expand our presence in the high potential Indian markets.”

Gulf Extrusions, which is part of the Al Ghurair Group of Companies, produces profiles ranging from architectural sections to components for household items, AC grills and customised products. The company also extrudes products of several European suppliers and companies under agreement. Nearly 70 per cent of Gulf Extrusions' production is supplied to the domestic market to support the enormous construction projects in the UAE. The rest are exported to South East Asia, other GCC countries, Europe and Canada.

About Gulf Extrusions:
Gulf Extrusions is the largest extrusion plants in the Gulf with a 30 year history of top quality production. Located at Jebel Ali, it is minutes away from one of the busiest sea ports in the Gulf. The plant is designed to produce aluminum sections in mill finish, silver, bronze, gold and color anodized, and powder coated finishes. The modem processing equipment and techniques permit the company to produce a range of over 7,000 profiles. These vary from architectural sections to components for household items, AC grills and customized products. Nearly 60% of the output generated by Gulf Extrusions is used in the local market to support the building and construction projects. Gulf Extrusions also exports to various markets in GCC and Middle East countries, as well as markets in Europe, West Africa, Asia and Canada.

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/5058/residenceantiliaindia.jpg (http://img365.imageshack.us/my.php?image=residenceantiliaindia.jpg)

A unique looking building.

older pics

photo copyright Anup

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/1659/ambanianupsy.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ambanianupsy.jpg)

photo copyright Alexis

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9279/ambanitoweralexis.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ambanitoweralexis.jpg)

May 17

Copyright Andrea Magrini - Elisa Eddie Amedeo
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/7969/35459606527bcba96e83b.jpg

From this angle, it is looking as tall as The Imperial!

^ Nice find. Zoomed in version:
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8074/98964316.jpg

May 29
Copyright Neeta
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/9570/neetatrip1006.jpg

WOW... They built this building in a quick time. Glass cladding's on. Can't wait to see it completely finished.

For some reason, in some pics it doesnt look that tall. But anyway, nice house!

only 27 fls but look at the height of this baby!!!!!!! 173m is tall as hell.

I wouldnt be suprised, if Mr Ambani also coughs up for the fresh coat of paint and glass cladding of its upper middle class neighbors.

Some buildings are getting a make over near Antillia.

Well they have to keep up with the Ambani's!

The neighborhood buildings look old, ugly and run down (from the pic above and the other pics from this thread). The phone/electric wire hanging, congested roads etc do not portray surrounding of a billionaire's house. If I was the richest person in the country (and among the top 10 richest in the world), I would not live next to some upper middle class neighbors whose net worth is 0.0001% of mine. He will live in a billion dollar house but once he steps out of his house what would he see? Sheer Chaos. Not worth living in a billion dollar house. It's just my perspective though.

The neighborhood buildings look old, ugly and run down (from the pic above and the other pics from this thread). The phone/electric wire hanging, congested roads etc do not portray surrounding of a billionaire's house. If I was the richest person in the country (and among the top 10 richest in the world), I would not live next to some upper middle class neighbors whose net worth is 0.0001% of mine. He will live in a billion dollar house but once he steps out of his house what would he see? Sheer Chaos. Not worth living in a billion dollar house. It's just my perspective though.

No offense, but people such as yourself will NEVER get why Bombayites choose to live the way they do. What electric phone/ electric wires are you talking about? It isn't Pune (no offense, again) we're talking about here. You have ZERO idea what the city and her neighbourhoods are all about. What do you mean by, "I would not live next to some upper middle class neighbours whose net worth is 0.0001% of mine."? Almost laughable.
It's just my perspective though. :)

No offense, but people such as yourself will NEVER get why Bombayites choose to live the way they do. What electric phone/ electric wires are you talking about? It isn't Pune (no offense, again) we're talking about here. You have ZERO idea what the city and her neighbourhoods are all about. What do you mean by, "I would not live next to some upper middle class neighbours whose net worth is 0.0001% of mine."? Almost laughable.
It's just my perspective though. :)

No offense, but it shows that you have not put your foot outside of Bombay/India. Go check out Beverly Hills, LA or Kensington Palace Garden street, London neighborhoods and you will know what I am talking about.

Scroll up to the picture posted above and you will see some wire hanging off some pole.

^^
haha. Laughable, again. It is typical for people from small cities/ towns to find neighbourhoods like Beverly Hills appealing! Those aren't electric/ phone wires. Please be clear before you type. Bombay's utilities are UNDERGROUND! Those are some random cable TV wires, which I agree are pretty ugly to look at (and RARELY hung around lamp posts), but which city doesn't have its share of minor crap? You'd know what I'm talking about if you knew Bombay city.

It is typical for people from small cities/ towns to find neighbourhoods like Beverly Hills appealing!

By saying what you said above is an insult to people who live there. What you are saying is only people from small cities/towns get impressed with Beverly Hills. You are damn wrong. It's a matter of choice. May be some people like crappy stuff but not me.

but which city doesn't have its share of minor crap?

At least not next to a billion dollar house for god's sake.

By saying what you said above is an insult to people who live there. What you are saying is only people from small cities/towns get impressed with Beverly Hills. You are damn wrong. It's a matter of choice. May be some people like crappy stuff but not me.

How's that an insult? It is what it is. I'm sorry you got insulted. Don't get all tangential now. Also, this thread isn't about you. Really.


At least not next to a billion dollar house for god's sake.

You'd be surprised.

We are arguing over personal preferences. I can't make you like what I like and vice versa. Originally I made a comment about the neighborhood and we started this fruitless arguments/insults. I don't think we will go anywhere even if we spend ten more hours arguing. Peace.

You got that right. For the record, I said, "it is typical for people from small cities/ towns to find neighbourhoods like...", and not, "only people from small towns/ blah..."

It sure is a little about personal preference, but it has more to do with knowing what you're saying ('coz you're clearly unfamiliar with the neighbourhood or the vibe of the city - most outsiders JUST DON'T GET IT).

Lets not derail this thread any longer. Peace.

This is typical of big cities. Even in NY you can come down from your penthouse and find a bum nearby. Most people don't give a hoot.

thats the great thing about bombay. we dont have huge gated communities, colonies, 'rich areas', etc. everyone lives and works in the same space, gives you a much better perspective of india and its huge gaps in income. as for the area ambani is building his house in, you dont get more tony than that in india. ambani, birla, pallonji, etc all live there. maybe the mindset in other cities is different. step out of your a/c home and you see india's reality and you go 'eww!' and rush back in

and the wires are cable wires. all other utilities in bombay are underground, we dont do overhead electricity/telephone wires unlike most cities around the world

I kindda agree with most of Dhims viewpoints. That picture is reminiscent of the backward Mumbai, considering they are talking figures like 2billion dollar home. Dubai's Burj Arab was built for the same price tag. You can create the entire New Bombay and Hiranandani complex both for less than 2 billion dollars. I think all he is trying to say even after spending all that, it still looks ordinary.

its slumdog chic. i heard its quite the rage in paris and milan this year

People should really visit the area and then make judgements/opinions.

June 7
Copyright Navin
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/9765/new12778.jpg


http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9708/new12781.jpg


http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3393/new12784.jpg


http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/1129/new12786.jpg

looking good!

Wow, fantastic pictures!

I like the MTNL building getting a spruce up!

I hope old and shabby buildings in mumbai start getting intimidated by all the new construction... and start to go away.

Many buildings in South bombay are being replaced by huge towers.

http://www.geckoandfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/mukes_ambani_tower_house_home_altamount_road.jpg

^^^^

Source kya hai?

great pic Yash.. but do mention the source aswell.

Update from here (http://www.pranavinfra.com/web/project/Residential/relianceantilia-residential.aspx).

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/2297/antilla.jpg

Now that's a recent image (taken on July 13). The one posted posted by Yash is a little more than a year old.

I can already imagine that buildings of same height mushroom around residence antilla in few years and everyone will be peeking in this hawa mahal with their telescope.
what were they thinking.

copyright ab041937@SSCi

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/739/030820091640.jpg (http://img412.imageshack.us/i/030820091640.jpg/)

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/487/030820091641.jpg (http://img233.imageshack.us/i/030820091641.jpg/)

^Ahh cheers bro! :cheers:

Good update.

I like these photos.

Great updates man. I am waiting to see it completed.

I want to see this project finished, but there is no doubt in my mind this building is NOT going to be the prettiest in Mumbai.

^^ Yea it looks like it lacks a dose of ingenuity. For the amount paid to built it, it should have had some concept behind its design.

This is looking like something gone horribly wrong.

Yea looks like you can't buy good taste. At least not in this case. Has it topped out yet?

guys lets just wait till it finishes with the exterior and everything, it could look quiet cool edgy and contemprory.

It is easy to be judgemental about others. I think this building is unique for a city like Mumbai and will look quite good once completed. I am glad that he isn’t building some villa outside of Mumbai but is going to live in the heart of the city.

guys lets just wait till it finishes with the exterior and everything, it could look quiet cool edgy and contemprory.

Yes, there is still a whole lot of work that needs to be done.

Yeah wait until its finished.

People are writing off this building before its been finished.

Mumbai has this building, not Hong Kong, Singapore or New York where people wouldn't batter their eye lids at this building. Its unique to Mumbai.

X-posting | Suncity City posted it in the cityscapes thread

copyright DrRavi
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/3296/mumbaitallestdrravis.jpg

copyright ab041937@SSCi

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/739/030820091640.jpg
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/487/030820091641.jpg

great update ab. They've removed a majority of the supporting steel frame now.

another view

Aug 6 - Copyright Sunny
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7263/sunnyaug62.jpg

copyright magestom
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7398/dsc00829r.jpg

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2003/dsc00830azx.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/7510/dsc00831p.jpg

http://i31.tinypic.com/29l1x5x.jpg

Source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carminarinker/)

thats spooky

That's first of a kind (Antilia at night) we have had.

That's first of a kind (Antilia at night) we have had.

:tyty:

http://i31.tinypic.com/29l1x5x.jpg

Source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/carminarinker/)

That looks like a house on the haunted hill...

Man, that skyline is transforming. Awesome. Nice angle. Plethora of supertalls. Beginning to resemble how HK island looks from the Kowloon side. Just needs some ferries bobbing in the water and a hill in the backdrop and the picture would be complete. :cheers:Cant wait to go back to Mumbai and revisit old haunts and see the changes for myself.

X-posting | Suncity City posted it in the cityscapes thread

copyright DrRavi
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/3296/mumbaitallestdrravis.jpg

I dont know why there aren't any yachts/boats in this area of the island city as the water seems calm enough for them. Perhaps too shallow?

they are all on the other side (gateway of india). this part is too choppy during the monsoons as it looks out to the open sea

Guys - is the name ANTILLA or is it ANTILIA - always thought it was the former - the one with the double"L" - no??

It is the former - ANTILIA.

now thats confusing :D

i bet mukesh a. just calls it 'mah crib'

Man, that skyline is transforming. Awesome. Nice angle. Plethora of supertalls. Beginning to resemble how HK island looks from the Kowloon side. Just needs some ferries bobbing in the water and a hill in the backdrop and the picture would be complete. :cheers:Cant wait to go back to Mumbai and revisit old haunts and see the changes for myself.

Great pic.
But;
How HK island looked. in the seventies and eighties.

Well, Bombay's not too far either. 5 more years and we will see and array of magnificent structures.

Well, Bombay's not too far either. 5 more years and we will see and array of magnificent structures.

yep true enough.
(Actually I M O, HK actually looked better then)
Bombay will be much like K L in five - ten or so years.

now thats confusing :D

i bet mukesh a. just calls it 'mah crib'

:lol: -

Great pic.
But;
How HK island looked. in the seventies and eighties.

Yeah fair enough - I'll buy that. HK is very close to heart and so is Mumbai. Lived for several years in both cities so cant help drawing parallels unfortunately . Great vibe and a terrific underlying energy in both cities.

But you're right. HK had Norman Foster buldings, the iconic waterfrontage (on both sides actually) I M Pei designs and some truly kickass infrastructure more than a few years ago.

any updates?

Yeah fair enough - I'll buy that. HK is very close to heart and so is Mumbai. Lived for several years in both cities so cant help drawing parallels unfortunately . Great vibe and a terrific underlying energy in both cities.

But you're right. HK had Norman Foster buldings, the iconic waterfrontage (on both sides actually) I M Pei designs and some truly kickass infrastructure more than a few years ago.

indeed they both have that 'love our city life' vibe that makes cities great.
-some big cites have that. eg; london and NY too.But not delhi or athens-

I remember seeing that a helipad is planned for the top of Antilla. I wonder whether this will mean any impact on other helipads including the one on Antilia? The article suggests that the Navy could be doing this on account of a wounded ego - although I dont think that could be the reason. I guess Altamount Road is far enough from the Colaba / Navy Nagar area.


Source: http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/wont_permit_ambanis_to_use_helipad_navy.php

Navy objects to helipads for Ambanis, Ratan Tata

The Navy wants to cancel flying permissions for the helipad atop Mukesh and Anil Ambani's current home Seawind at Cuffe Parade in Mumbai, and the helipad on top of Wellington Mews in Colaba, used by Ratan Tata.

The reason: They are too close to the naval dockyard, and other vital naval installations.

"I want to clarify that no permission has been given to Mr Ratan Tata. The permission was sought by Taj Wellinton which is located in Colaba. It is within the local flying area of INS Shikra which controls all operations in this area. In case of pilot error, the helicopter will land on top of the naval dockyard on top of the ships which are presently in the naval dockyard and therefore we have not given any No Objection Certificate (NOC) for any helicopter operations from Sea Wind," said Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin, Western Naval Command.

The Navy also says helipads on top of private buildings pose a risk.

"The Navy has sought reconsideration of this NOC and cancellation of this NOC because Wellington Muse is located within the local flying area of INS Chikra and is in very close proximity of the naval dockyard and other sensitive installations in this area," Bhasin said.

But the municipal corporation had cleared the Ambani's helipad, and the one at the Taj Wellington has an NOC from the Air Force, raising doubts over whether the Navy's objections are based on genuine reasons, or wounded ego.

I remember seeing that a helipad is planned for the top of Antilla. I wonder whether this will mean any impact on other helipads including the one on Antilia? The article suggests that the Navy could be doing this on account of a wounded ego - although I dont think that could be the reason. I guess Altamount Road is far enough from the Colaba / Navy Nagar area.


Source: http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/wont_permit_ambanis_to_use_helipad_navy.php

Navy objects to helipads for Ambanis, Ratan Tata

The Navy wants to cancel flying permissions for the helipad atop Mukesh and Anil Ambani's current home Seawind at Cuffe Parade in Mumbai, and the helipad on top of Wellington Mews in Colaba, used by Ratan Tata.

The reason: They are too close to the naval dockyard, and other vital naval installations.

"I want to clarify that no permission has been given to Mr Ratan Tata. The permission was sought by Taj Wellinton which is located in Colaba. It is within the local flying area of INS Shikra which controls all operations in this area. In case of pilot error, the helicopter will land on top of the naval dockyard on top of the ships which are presently in the naval dockyard and therefore we have not given any No Objection Certificate (NOC) for any helicopter operations from Sea Wind," said Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin, Western Naval Command.

The Navy also says helipads on top of private buildings pose a risk.

"The Navy has sought reconsideration of this NOC and cancellation of this NOC because Wellington Muse is located within the local flying area of INS Chikra and is in very close proximity of the naval dockyard and other sensitive installations in this area," Bhasin said.

But the municipal corporation had cleared the Ambani's helipad, and the one at the Taj Wellington has an NOC from the Air Force, raising doubts over whether the Navy's objections are based on genuine reasons, or wounded ego.

Does the Navy really have to be in the heart of downtown Mumbai? The place is too crowded and probably not the best place for maintaining defence secrets. Maybe they should move across the coast to Navi Mumbai.

I personally think they should have helipads at frequent locations in downtown. There really is a need for it in terms of safety (on 26/11, NSG had to land at BOM airport and then drive to Taj Hotel) and also convenience for the economic moguls.

Does the Navy really have to be in the heart of downtown Mumbai? The place is too crowded and probably not the best place for maintaining defence secrets. Maybe they should move across the coast to Navi Mumbai.

that was the plan. one of the main conditions for starting jnpt was so that bombay port operations could be shifted out of the city. the port is reneging on its promise

I remember reading about this somewhere (forgot now) about the Western Navel Hq Base. The report mentioned that they would be better relocating to Gujarat along the West Coast at a purpose built base as the base in Mumbai served no purpose since Mumbai was so conjested & the risk it poses itself...ie sitting duck.

they should do it asap. having your most important naval base in the middle of your most important city is asking for trouble, for both

what about the new base in karnataka (karwar?). shouldnt that be where the operations are shifted. gujarat is too close to pakistan for comfort

they should do it asap. having your most important naval base in the middle of your most important city is asking for trouble, for both

no its not.

You need your big guns protecting the port and surrounding areas of your mega city. It makes no sense having nothing. ships contain radars to detect low level cruise missiles.

On top of which bombay high oil fields need to be secured

and your right Karwar is a mega base under project seabird. But the navy will always maintain a presence at the city. But the expanding naval assets will be stationed at kanwar

doesnt make sense to have a full-fledged base just to provide some level of protection for the city. most cities in the world do very well without one

to have it in the heart of the city makes zero sense. move it to the other side of the harbour at the least

doesnt make sense to have a full-fledged base just to provide some level of protection for the city. most cities in the world do very well without one

to have it in the heart of the city makes zero sense. move it to the other side of the harbour at the least

most cities in the world dont have that big a navy and those who do have a big navy like USA have the luxury of having an ultra powerful air and nuclear defence mechanism.

The navy should move out of mumbai when we get that ability. Thats not going to come anytime soon.

Take our pakistani friends, navy at karachi. or even sl navy of colombo.

Whats going to happen is massive expansion of the navy which means they need all the bases they get.

Secondly, the navy generates jobs for the surrounding areas with a base. Today office space at the BKC is not fully taken up. which means now is not the time to build more office buildings.

You also want a diversified economy. Not just relying on services. Mazgaon docks and the navy employ a lot of people. dont be in a rush to push a big industry in manufacturing out

most cities in the world dont have that big a navy and those who do have a big navy like USA have the luxury of having an ultra powerful air and nuclear defence mechanism.

The navy should move out of mumbai when we get that ability. Thats not going to come anytime soon.

Take our pakistani friends, navy at karachi. or even sl navy of colombo.

Whats going to happen is massive expansion of the navy which means they need all the bases they get.

Secondly, the navy generates jobs for the surrounding areas with a base. Today office space at the BKC is not fully taken up. which means now is not the time to build more office buildings.

You also want a diversified economy. Not just relying on services. Mazgaon docks and the navy employ a lot of people. dont be in a rush to push a big industry in manufacturing out

Maybe have a strategic deterrence and protection force. But given the size of Mumbai, it makes sense to move the main base toward the south of the city on the Konkan coast. That way we dont lose the response advantage.

Maybe have a strategic deterrence and protection force. But given the size of Mumbai, it makes sense to move the main base toward the south of the city on the Konkan coast. That way we dont lose the response advantage.

dont think the south konkan coast has a natural harbour....

move them to navi mumbai. But let them stay in mumbai

cc 16.09.0B
http://xs.to/image-200C_4B38F3C1.jpg (http://xs.to/share-200C_4B38F3C1.html)

cc 16.09.0B
http://xs.to/image-200C_4B38F3C1.jpg (http://xs.to/share-200C_4B38F3C1.html)

please repost the pic. it is not showing for us.

Thanks coolguy for the pic. i am posting them again properly ;)

these are the best pics of this building so far.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/indrajal/Cities/4207624197_95ce32131a_o.png

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/indrajal/Cities/4221676830_7fa174e2cb_o.png

copyright : 16.09.0B. check out his other pics on flickr.

Bloody Hell. Amazing pictures. This is probably one of most clear views of the city (since a lot of them are hazy. :)

The building is looking good.

Cool pics, looks like one side is cladded with glass? And I am loving the sight of so many cranes.

Simply amazing photos.

best pics ever.

Loving the pics too!

Antilia looks great and I like the buildings around Antilia.

That building's going to look amazing once it comes up.

You mean once its finished and the scaffolding removed, yeah me too!

Its become one of my fav buildings in Mumbai now.

$2 Billion!!!

Would love to see some of the interiors.

Surprised that Anil isn't competing with Mukesh with this one as usually they do.

You mean once its finished and the scaffolding removed, yeah me too!

Its become one of my fav buildings in Mumbai now.

$2 Billion!!!

Would love to see some of the interiors.

Surprised that Anil isn't competing with Mukesh with this one as usually they do.

Yeah. I mean once it is finished.

You mean once its finished and the scaffolding removed, yeah me too!

Its become one of my fav buildings in Mumbai now.

$2 Billion!!!

Would love to see some of the interiors.

Surprised that Anil isn't competing with Mukesh with this one as usually they do.

hmm

i think he may

where does he stay currently

^The one on the right

Copyright Timothy Neesam
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/6025/3429395559d853884269b.jpg

that looks amazing
if i had not known better i would have thought that was a cgi rendering

took these on January 3

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/4586/img1125j.jpg

http://img21.yfrog.com/img21/7038/img1127p.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/710/img1129m.jpg

more coming up later.

nice shots IU. now it really looks like the renders..

I can't wait to see the building once its completely done. Its gonna look good.

unbelivable!

i love it!!!!!!!!!11

Incredible!

wonderful!!

Wow - looking good!! Love this building..

Here are some more I took-

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2449/img1085j.jpg

around dusk-
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9050/img1087h.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/9673/img1090sk.jpg


and one from the above Peddar Road batch -
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1497/img1128yx.jpg

Ambani better start packing......

They will have a nice view of the neighbors' laundry from his house.

Gets better with each new pic! :)

They will have a nice view of the neighbors' laundry from his house.

:lol: The views from Antillia will be amazing.

January 31st, '10

photo copyright: KB335ci2
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9802/img0277k.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1106/img0278dx.jpg

WOW!

Its very classy, and by far the best structure in town.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3448/3247625316668e2491a3.jpg
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/1804/32467964430fb4a84d21.jpg
copyright mfitch @flickr

guess estimate...it should be complete by Diwali '2010

Praty those pics look quiet old.

i also thought so..but these were uploades on 22 feb..and that white outline on the floors was something newly added i thought so uploaded this

It says it was uploaded on 2nd of Feb 2009 and was taken of Jan 3rd 2009.

oh!..it does..i read it wrong..i think i was'nt in the best state of mind when i posted it..sorry

Its the most expensive house in the world???? 2 Billion dollar home....???

It sure is.

wht the completion date??? when its goin to complete....

Maybe next year. It will probably take a while to finish the interiors.

photo copyright ken.littleton

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/593/ambttowerkenlittleton.jpg (http://img245.imageshack.us/i/ambttowerkenlittleton.jpg/)

Looking good!

I see the exterior is almost finished.

February 28
Copyright Bryan
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9475/bryanfeb28.jpg

Wow, this is almost done. It's been a while since i dropped in here. Nice snap boss.

Looks great!

I can't believe this ugly building cost $2billion when the Shanghai World Financial Centre was $1.2billion. What a joke.

its certainly not costing $2 billion, its way off the mark. maybe $200 million at most. ambani (or anyone else for that matter) does not have that much money to spend on a house. most of the declared wealth is notional, not cash

it does cost 2 billion dollars...it is the most expensive house in the world...that is why it is all over the news and in the magazine lists...

Don't believe everything you read.

ok if not 2 billion..it still is the most expensive house according to forbes,times of india,time magazine...now it's hard not to believe them

No one's gonna get a penny from him building this home. So stop crying over the price of the home.

Still we should sort of be proud of this. A unique building based off some Indian architecture from what I've heard, an Indian man owns the most expensive home in the world and is one of the worlds richest people.

Only thing is the name, but I'm over that. ;)

^^ should be proud of ....No one in other country could afford this kind of home....at least till now...i havent heard....off in US/UK people buy $50-100 million n think that there is no home can match to there home......:lol:

such comments and comparisons proves why we are still a developing nation.

^^ no, corruption, bureaucracy, regional self-interest, and overpopulation (which has its advantages and disadvantages) are why we're a developing nation. comparing oneself to other countries is perfectly healthy. people still do it in france, uk, us.

This NY Times article

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/business/worldbusiness/15ambani.html?pagewanted=1

makes the following statement:

"Although the price tag for the residence has drawn estimates as high as $2 billion, a Reliance spokesman said it would ultimately cost $50 million to $70 million."

You know, nowadays misinformation virulently spreads through the internet and hardly is ever forgotten. I've seen it before with similar stories, one obscure blog messes up the numbers by a factor of hundred, doesn't even correct it when provided with hard evidence and gets quoted and that new "source" gets quoted without reality check and so on. Soon it's totally useless trying to correct the error since so many misinformed sources outrank truth and reason when lazy journalists and bloggers "research", aka "google".

No one (probably not even the owner at this point) knows what that project ultimately costs but 2 Billion USD is just way beyond believable. Remember, a lot of the labour and materials are supposed to be sourced locally, reducing prices over a similar project in the West. While the non-standard design will increase general building cost, one third of the building is dedicated to parking space and staff quarters, neither of which will likely be finished billionaire style.

It will still be the largest private residence by enclosed living area and it will be unique in being a private skyscraper. It will be extremely expensive but it will not have cost 2 Billion USD. The tallest buildings in the world, like 2IFC Hong Kong, Shanghai World Financial Center and Burj Khalifa Dubai each are estimated to have cost between 1 and 2 Billion USD and they are way bigger than this residence.

Oh, and as far as Forbes (one of the origins for the 2 Billion figure) should be considered an always reliable source for real estate prices, just check out this:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/23/comment-expensive-homes-lifestyle-real-estate-homes.html

Huh....just proves that this was part a publicity stunt....had me fooled.

$2 billion does sound way too much but it made the headlines.

Added this Project to Urbika. Can anybody help with the exact google maps location?
http://www.urbika.com/projects/view/1486-residence-antilia

Found it! Thanks to GJ10!

Hey guys,

Been silently following SSC for a while now and I've always wondered how they got to the USD 2 billion figure. I figured maybe they were valuing the building in terms of floorspace x mkt value/sq.ft. (dunno whats the correct term for this) rather than reporting the construction cost. But even then, ~400,000 sq.ft. x $1,000/sq.ft. only gives USD 400 million or ~USD 800 million if u use $2,000/sq.ft. (I think at the time of the report some flat in NCPA was sold for arnd that much) So, the 2 billion figure makes even less sense now...

March 15 - view from the Imperials
Copyright Silencium07
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/2297/antilla.jpg

Whoa, talk about density.

Anyway looks close to the render now.

Some more needed. Will look just amazing this area!!