Ambani's $1 billion towering home cynosure of all eyes

Under construction for almost four and a half years, the skyscraper named Antilia, after a mythical island, has soared to 550 feet (173.12 m) in height with 4,00,000 sq ft of interior space. The shape of Antilia is based on India’s ancient Vaastu.

According to the building plan with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the height of the tower is 173.12 metres, equivalent to that of a regular 60-storey residential building. However, Antilia has only 27 storeys.

The first six floors reserved for parking can accommodate 168 cars and it has a facility of in-house service centre at the seventh floor, said a software engineer working inside on the condition of anonymity.

Atop six stories of parking lots, Antilia’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 per cent of its ceiling covered in crystal chandeliers.

The eighth floor has a mini-theatre with a seating capacity of 50 and the rooftop of the mini-theatre will serve as a garden. The 10th and 11th floors have been reserved for heath-related activities, such as an ultra-modern gymnasium, a swimming club, a spa and what not.

The Ambanis will occupy the top four floors, that provide a panoramic view of the Arabian sea and the city’s skyline. It will be the residence of Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita, mother Kokilaben and the couple’s three children once they move in on October 27.

Three helipads are supposed to be on the terrace as per the plan, but the BMC has not granted permission for the helipads as yet. A control room for helicopters is proposed but it is not known whether it has become functional or not.