Bigger than Versailles: Ambani’s dream house

One of the many businessmen who must be watching the Liverpool FC shenanigans with some relish is the richest man in India, Mukesh Ambani. In February this year he emerged as a contender to rescue the club. But he was only prepared to pay off its £237m debts for a controlling stake - and nothing came of it.

Today, instead of finding himself mired in a nasty legal battle with Liverpool's prickly American owners, he has the much more pleasurable task of moving himself and his family into his extraordinary new home in Mumbai.

Ambani, whose Reliance Industries conglomerate has made him the fourth richest man in the world, has built for himself what is arguably the biggest house in the world.

Named Antilia after the mythical island in the Atlantic, the glass and steel structure has 27 storeys and, at 37,000 sq metres, has more floor space than the Palace of Versailles.

The higher floors enjoy sweeping views of the Arabian Sea, not to mention the city's 'slumdog' quarters.

Antilia is thought to have cost £44m to build but because of land values in India, is estimated to be worth £630m - at least twice the value of Liverpool football club (some would say three times, but we won't go there).

It has all the normal facilities of a megastar pad - a 50-seat cinema, a gym and dance studio. But any rock star can have those.

What the richest man in India also gets is garaging for 160 cars, a four-storey hanging garden and a staff of 600. With only one wife and three children, this means an average of 120 staff per family member.

The Ambanis are apparently busy sending out invitations to the housewarming party they plan to throw before the end of the month. Guests will have three helipads to choose from.

Why has Ambani, not known until now for conspicuous consumption, made such a public statement about his wealth?

Hamish McDonald, author of Ambani and Sons, a history of Reliance Industries, offers this explanation: "Perhaps he has been stung by his portrayal in the media as an introvert. Maybe he is making the point that he is a tycoon in his own right." ·