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India's richest man builds 60-storey home

guardian.co.uk — The building, named Antilla after a mythical island, will have a total floor area greater than Versailles and be home for Mr Ambani, his mother, wife, three children and 600 full-time staff.

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  • nekitip, on 10/11/2007, -40/+58Makes me want a new communist revolution. Almost.
    • coolian, on 10/11/2007, -6/+85Anyone else read "The Idiot's Guide to How Trillionaires Spend Their Money"?
    • tinker123, on 10/11/2007, -19/+125Seriously. Marxists haven't accomplished anything but making noise, but when you see a guy build a 60 story home in a country where it is ordinary for *generations* of families to live on the street it really does make you stop and think.
    • Leomarth, on 10/11/2007, -17/+39@nekitip

      So you can steal it from him?
    • trough, on 10/11/2007, -42/+37Why so jealous nektip? Just because he is very successful doesn't mean you're (or anyone) entitled to his money.
    • Ngai, on 10/11/2007, -6/+76 Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed. --Albert Einstein
    • Lixie, on 10/11/2007, -4/+186600 staff for 6 people. Blows my mind.
    • Akaji, on 10/11/2007, -24/+18This isn't communism. It's nothing more than egotism in a socialist wrapper.

      @trough
      Well, if he gained it immorally, it could be argued that he doesn't deserve it, and thus it should be taken from him.
    • AriaStar, on 10/11/2007, -7/+134He's definitely compensating for something.
    • PhantomBantam, on 10/11/2007, -5/+93At least he created a bunch of new jobs which will probably help the poor. He will employ a bunch of people to the tower (I honestly don't have any idea how many people it takes to build a skyscraper), and six hundred new permanent jobs. Assuming he pays a living wage (which can't be that hard in India) he may have helped hundreds escape poverty. I'm sure he's an egocentric *****, but this could do some good (though I sincerely he had the mumbai people in his mind when he built it).
    • yedigg, on 10/11/2007, -5/+14Here is a much better article:
      http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?Page=article§id=15&contentid=20070530022210718d7460de5
      and is going to be "just" 27 floors, but equivalent in height to a normal 60 floor building.
    • Rukaribe, on 10/11/2007, -19/+2Why are people so stupid audience?
    • DildoOreilly, on 10/11/2007, -24/+8When idiots like this die, I celebrate.
    • arunforce, on 10/11/2007, -17/+6He's about as stupid as his tower, I mean look at it, it's ridiculously ugly...
    • capiCrimm, on 10/11/2007, -7/+3@arunforce

      But's he's paying 600 people to tell him it looks like heaven so it can't be that bad, now can it?
    • Hegemony, on 10/11/2007, -13/+4In a nation where over a quarter of the population makes less than $0.40 a day I can't imagine wasting money like that. Almost half of India's population of children under 3 suffer from malnutrition. How can this guy see this happening around him and blow 500 million GBP on a ***** house? I'm not what you would call a marxist but there is something seriously wrong with India's system. They have spectacular economic growth but most of the workers are dirt poor.
    • Mengoxon, on 10/11/2007, -4/+62Why are rich people only allowed to be rich in rich countries?
      Being rich in a poor country is a crime or what?
      How is this any different from John Travolta's private airport or the big villas Oprah lives in?
    • mfratt, on 10/11/2007, -6/+28I'm for the golden rule. He with the gold rules.

      Seriously. The guy was successful, and wanted to build himself a sky scraper. Give him a break, its his money and he can do what he wants with it. If he wants to give it away, fine. If he wants to hoard it all to himself, thats fine too.
    • Haplo, on 10/11/2007, -2/+39"Almost half of India's population of children under 3 suffer from malnutrition." - How much have you donated lately?

      Just a rhetorical question, I see a lot of people here already dividing up someone else's money and I just wonder: wtf have you done/donated lately?
    • MacGyver2210, on 10/11/2007, -13/+2"I see a lot of people here already dividing up someone else's money and I just wonder: wtf have you done/donated lately?"

      Um, I don't have several TRILLION dollars to divide, but if I did I'd probably have to hire a full-time staff to do it for me.

      Also, I don't know if it's a british/british-based-society thing, but there's no 'e' in Stor(e)y...
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -6/+26So from the point of view of you people only Americans and Europeans are allowed to be rich. God poverty levels in America are not that great either and you see stuff like the playboy mansion, Travoltas own airport and the gazillion sq ft villas in marthas vineyard. I dont see you guys complaining about that. The people who are bitching are doing this mostly because it was done by and Indian and In India. Same digg but with a American Face and in America would have been labelled as the AMERICAN DREAM. Now STFU because even Third world Citizen have the right do what they want to do with their money.
    • jennamalia, on 10/11/2007, -4/+3Ngai, I would appreciate an actual citation for that supposed Einstein quotation.

      I'm assuming that it's false, unless you can provide a credible source otherwise.
    • Cyphase, on 10/11/2007, -6/+6"In a nation where over a quarter of the population makes less than $0.40 a day I can't imagine wasting money like that. Almost half of India's population of children under 3 suffer from malnutrition. How can this guy see this happening around him and blow 500 million GBP on a ***** house?" - Hegemony

      He's just given jobs to all the people who are going to build the house, plus the 600 permanent jobs of the staff. All that money is going to be put back into the economy. What's wrong with that?

      "I'm not what you would call a marxist but there is something seriously wrong with India's system. They have spectacular economic growth but most of the workers are dirt poor." - Hegemony

      I know what's wrong. They have a socialist government. Do you have any idea how hard it is for the average person to start a "legal" business in India? Do you have any idea how many regulations they have in India? That's why the average worker is poor.
    • indijay, on 10/11/2007, -11/+5Its an obscene display of wealth, exactly when more than half of the population is struggling to live easy life (forget about those who are struggling to make both ends) The educational institutes that he has opened cost a fortune. This act of his confirms that he is arrogant about his wealth....
      I doubt if he has ever supported any charity. Learn something from Bill Gates dude..
    • docrates, on 10/11/2007, -4/+10What is it with Indians and big houses?

      Look, I live in Panama, where there's plenty of money and the whole structure of the country is based on immigrants (the biggest ones being Chinese, Indian, Syrian and European Jews, Muslims, Spaniards, Colombians, Americans and some Western Europeans) and in every single high class street, the biggest, most pompous and pretentious house is owned by an Indian.

      It's gotten to a point that one can confidently ask: Which Indian lives there? when a 62 Greek Column, 4 story monstrosity is sighted.
    • endustry, on 10/11/2007, -10/+5I think all people who spend their money like this -- regardless of their race -- are basically an affront to humanity.
    • Exploit, on 10/11/2007, -2/+3"Ngai, I would appreciate an actual citation for that supposed Einstein quotation.

      I'm assuming that it's false, unless you can provide a credible source otherwise."

      @ jennamalia : Will the following satisfy you?

      http://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=Three+great+forces+rule+the+world:+stupidity,+fear+and+greed&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
    • over9, on 10/11/2007, -4/+15Isn't this what American capitalism all about? Earn money, spend it as you want. A lot of jealous people around here.
    • BigDane, on 10/11/2007, -1/+9Will this be on cribs?
    • BobStatesman, on 10/11/2007, -3/+18He may be India's richest man, but he's still living with his mother.
    • Ajjah, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6And he is only spending 3% of his wealth here!
    • hanu4u, on 10/11/2007, -4/+1500 million GBP for a stupid home, doesn't make any sense.... donno wht's he thinking.....
      • TomahawkMissile, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0actually thats the property value of what he has constructed. He got the land years ago for just 4.7 million USD. The rich know when to buy.
    • crweaks23, on 10/11/2007, -2/+5This isn't just a "home." Do some research before you start preaching about a "communist revolution."

      "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."

      The 600 person crew is not just to serve his family... the building will be covered in gardens from top to bottom, and that requires maintenance.
    • bilgates, on 10/11/2007, -4/+5India isn't poor you dumb people . Reliance Industries the company this guy owns is the largest company in India.
    • retral, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1"He's definitely compensating for something."

      Whatever he's compensating for must be really small for him to be compensating _that_ much.
    • mfratt, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Besides, think about how many jobs hes creating by building and running the thing.
    • VanillaStarfish, on 10/11/2007, -1/+0@Docrates
      "What is it with Indians and big houses?"

      Houses? I thought they lived in teepees.
    • Hegemony, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1@haplo

      You can't call that a rhetorical question when it's critical of someone like that. For your information, I donate to Amnesty International, Save Darfur and UNICEF regularly. It seems most of you disagree with me but I think that level of extravagance is out of control when people are starving to death.
  • danielbachhuber, on 10/11/2007, -5/+61dugg as ridiculous
    • InSeverance, on 10/11/2007, -2/+21at least he's providing employment opportunities...
      I dont know, I think I'm trying to justify in my head why for some reason you'd need to ever do that (build a 60 story house)
    • Bdog2g2, on 10/11/2007, -1/+20maybe he can't decide on which Stairmaster model he wants and said ***** it I'll just build a tall building and walk those.
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -0/+10No. they will be paid higher. Reliance the company that he owns is know for high pay packets But they do work your ass off.
    • ronar, on 10/11/2007, -2/+4yeah, typical nouveau-riche attitude, when will people learn that showing off doesn't help yourself.
    • DaneTrain, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Much more information can be find on this page.
      http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=131283
    • fixty, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2yeah, not sure what to think about this, but i think when someone aquires enough power to make them a virtual king, it seems fair that they would take on some of the responsibilities and accountabilities to the people from which he ultimately draws his power/wealth. not sure precisely what form this reciprocity would take, but ultimately it's unhealthy for the wealthy to neglect such feedback - that is, "the people" naturally correct such imbalances eventually, often messily...
  • daftsavant, on 10/11/2007, -0/+31"The first six floors — which have come up — will be reserved for parking alone, and that too for cars belonging only to Mukesh's family. Space for a total of 168 'imported' cars has been earmarked here."

    Dude, where's my car?
    • PatNolan, on 10/11/2007, -0/+19and parking for the 600 staff
    • newfam, on 10/11/2007, -5/+11like they drive :)
    • Xyleene, on 10/11/2007, -5/+62lol, their 600 bicycles are locked up outside
    • b1111, on 10/11/2007, -6/+12lol half the world lives in poverty.

      having a car doesn't make you better than anyone in india riding a bike. you just got lucky by being born in america.
    • Xyleene, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3lol, i don't have a car lol.. i was just stating a fact lol in a funny way lol... i actually have friends lol from india lol that I happen to think very highly of lol
  • thepeacemaker, on 10/11/2007, -22/+42Absolutely obscene given the fact that its being built in Mumbai, home of the world's second largest slum. A walk around many of Mumbai's streets and slums would bring any person to tears. 60% (7million residents) live in slums. I don't understand why so many of my wealthier fellow Indians are so obsessed with vanity - probably something to do with the class and caste system or the huge extended families to one up. I hope this guy changes his mind.

    Pics of a Mumbai slum: http://images.google.com/images?q=dharavi&btnG=Search+Images
    • trough, on 10/11/2007, -25/+60Why are the poor entitled to his wealth?
    • thepeacemaker, on 10/11/2007, -11/+28There is a thought provoking saying - 'dont get so concerned about your rights that you forget your manners.' Yes, he has every right to build whatever he wants with his money. However civilized societies have evolved and accepted certain norms like not to flaunt one's wealth, at least in such an extravangant manner, when people are starving all around.
    • jcm267, on 10/11/2007, -8/+10"There is a thought provoking saying - 'dont get so concerned about your rights that you forget your manners.' Yes, he has every right to build whatever he wants with his money. However civilized societies have evolved and accepted certain norms like not to flaunt one's wealth, at least in such an extravangant manner, when people are starving all around."

      It's called the Victorian era in the United States. People built houses that are big even by modern McMansion standards (there are single family houses in the town over from me that were divided up and now house 10 condominiums) while the working class lived in squalor. Your country is growing up, and I'd rather see a few rich people and a growing middle class than fewer rich people and no middle class. India is doing fine.
    • eclipse007, on 10/11/2007, -13/+30@ trough

      It's not about being entitled to his money
      it's about us being humans, just a simple question:

      How can you enjoy living in a 60 story, £500m palace while you know just couple of blocks away hundreds of thousands people are living (if you can call it living) in absolute poverty?
      • TomahawkMissile, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0a couple of blocks away

        HAHA

        At Altamount road the land on which you stand on cost at least 10,000 USD
    • AriaStar, on 10/11/2007, -11/+21He is in a country where not everyone has access to even a basic education. He's doing nothing more than rubbing it in the faces of those who haven't a chance in this world to better their positions.

      And don't dare try to say that those in the slums can help themselves. When they whore themselves out at five years old (watch the documentary "Born Into Brothels") just to eat something while living in a literal shack, there is no chance. Hell, the homeless in America have no idea how easy they have it.

      Does this guy really need a staff of 600 for his family of six? Do they each have someone to wipe their asses and the guys each someone to hold his penis while he pees? Someone to cut each person's meat, another person to shovel it into his mouth? Try to think of separate tasks for 100 people to do just for you. Hell, 50 would be hard enough.

      Yeah, in Victorian times they built huge mansions (the Winchester House is less than a mile from me), but they also didn't go flaunting it in front of the poor. These days, it's easy to flaunt it in front of the poor, and a building that huge will be too hard to miss.
    • PhantomBantam, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1I think it would be interesting to compare late 19th century/early 20th century New York City with Mumbai today.[edit] whoops, didn't read JCM's comment Sorry for redundancy.
    • jcm267, on 10/11/2007, -7/+30@ eclipse007

      Do you ever go on vacation? Do you ever eat too much? Have you ever thrown food or clothes in the garbage? This might sound like nothing to you but while you're taking things for granted there are billions of people the world over (including millions in nearby countries like Haiti) that live in absolute poverty with no hope in life. If people weren't selfish there wouldn't be progress and we'd all be poor. Yeah this guy is extravagent but I think maybe this guy was born poor and is just living out his dream. As was pointed out already by someone else he's creating jobs for construction, jobs for his "servants", jobs for those who will support this (power company, for example), and whatever jobs he created getting rich. I really don't see how this is much different from America circa 1900...

      @ ariastar

      Yeah this is extreme, I'm not defending the guy's character but I am defending his right to do this. Also, I'm pretty sure the wealthy did flaunt their status back around then. The city that I grew up in was one of the richest in the country, and it had its fair share of the poor. Everyone shopped in the same downtown and I'm sure it was pretty obvious who the haves and have nots were, many farmers took the state highways past these enormous houses to get downtown so they did see how the "other side" lived. Some of the mill villages were situated in places where I'd have to assume that they, too rode past 10,000 square foot single family houses on their way to the city. The city's free academy, paid for by an endowment funded by such rich area families as the Slaters, was situated in a rich area of town and the few poor kids who got in went through the rich area to get there. Some rich people turn into guys like Carnegie or Gates and give. Others blow it on their own selfish endeavors. Eventually Indian society will reject things like 60 storey single family homes and the rich will learn to be somewhat modest (it's better for them anyways if they'd like to preserve their wealth).
    • jaxcs, on 10/11/2007, -7/+2@ ariastar

      Re: How can anyone avoid seeing a 60 story building (come on, this is not a house!). Well, it's probably because his next effort will be to build a 80 story fence! Ok a bad joke, but this is a pretty crazy project. I hope a hurricane brings the whole thing down one day after completion.
    • BlackCow, on 10/11/2007, -3/+3I realise its his wealth but jeez, 60 ***** storys, who the hell needs that much space. Improving the living conditions of the people around him would be a much better way to spend some of his money.
    • apsk121, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Dharavi was featured in last month's National Geographic.
    • venson, on 10/11/2007, -6/+5@ thepeacemaker

      "I don't understand why so many of my wealthier fellow Indians are so obsessed with vanity - probably something to do with the class and caste system or the huge extended families to one up."

      This is what drives *many/most* Indians in the upper castes. Westerners don't really get this, which is why you can't compare his spending to others rich people. But if you are an Indian, and see this kind of vanity, you are ashamed because it is coming from thousands of years of oppression. MK Ghandi was very conscious of this Indian mentality, as he was a very wealthy lawyer, but dressed and lived in moderation to make that exact point.

      This guy oppresses everyone in his company and now is going to 'hire' 600 'slaves' to oppress full time in his phallic symbol of 'I am better than you' house. Indians spend a lot of time finding ways to impress and out do each other. In fact when they can't find anything, they say that they are better just because of the family they were born into. Originally the caste system was a way to organize communities, but it soon became a hierarchy of oppression.

      I wasn't brought up in the caste system, but know people who have and even today, if you are in a room with someone in a higher caste, you are have to be sub servant to them. Money, unfortunately, in India is a vehicle to enforce ones supremacy, which is why India will never get rid of poverty - because the more people you have below you, the higher you are.

      You would think that this ideology would go away in the 21st century, but it seems that this 'Jazz Age' is re-enforcing it.
    • MacGyver2210, on 10/11/2007, -2/+5That's a shame and all. Maybe his 600 workers will figure out there's 100 of them for everyone who lives in the house, kill them, and turn it into yet another slum.Doubtless that word gets around that there's a luxury high-rise with a ton of empty space, and people(of which you say there are about 7million) living in poverty will TRAMPLE oneanother for the chance to live in a higher-class area.

      Unfortunately, the poor in these circumstances are usually too eager to match pace with what they consider to be a 'normal' lifestyle and burn out any fortune they may come by very quickly. If this dude distributed his wealth evenly among - say - 50,000 citizens, do you really think many of them would make a good life out of it? ***** no! They'd buy a mansion, and a sports car, and quit any job they may have, and then realize they weren't as rich as they thought they were. Look what happened in Africa when the Red Cross tried to give them *****. Corrupt parties came forth to 'claim' it as their own, and then held it away from the lower class, because suddenly they had the power.
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -4/+9So just because the City houses the biggest slum doesn't mean it shouldn't be the home of the wealthy. This building alone will be pumping in money to the local economy. Also this place is located in the Pedder Road, one of the most poshest area in India with property prices that would put London to shame. The closest slum are miles away. in fact Dharvi is located around 20 Kilometres from this place and that's quite a lot when considering that that main city is only 60 KM in length. Its the Manhattan of India. I hate these Arguments about vanity. If you have it flaunt it. Dhirubhai Ambani the father of this guy was the person who came from the poor India and made it big. People like him are looked up as hero's by the Indian masses and not with envy. The Serve as a motivation to the people. Only communist Idiot would believe that this is a bad thing.
    • etnu, on 10/11/2007, -7/+7"Why are the poor entitled to his wealth?"

      They're not -- but they are entitled to overthrow the corrupt system that has enabled one man to become so wealthy while so many others suffer and use their nation's resources as they see fit.

      It's incredibly easy to become filthy rich when you're born that way. I'd be impressed if he started his own company without any help from his father and built it into a massive empire, but he didn't. The only reason that he's the chairman of reliance today is because his father started the company. His brother is also filthy rich -- sure, maybe it's a coincidence that two people were born into the same family who both happened to be amazing leaders, but I doubt it. The more likely answer here is that anyone can be successful when they start their lives with billions of dollars.

      People who actually build their own wealth tend to appreciate the genuine struggle of normal human beings -- which is why they overwhelmingly choose to do good with it before they pass on. You can't take it to the grave, but people who didn't have to actually work for what they have seem to think you can.
    • arjie, on 10/11/2007, -3/+3jcm: Just for reference, he wasn't born poor, like you think, not that it changes anything. His dad set up the huge corporation that he and his brother have split between them.

      thepeacemaker: "'dont get so concerned about your rights that you forget your manners.'" That is one hell of a nice quote.

      potp: That's funny. You know, we're a sovereign 'socialist' republic? That means we're supposed to be egalitarian. That's in the preface to the constitution.
    • jcm267, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2@arjie

      thanks for pointing that out... looks like old money is profiting from India's boom big time.
      • TomahawkMissile, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Actually he was born poor in a one bedroom apartment. His father built the business by the time he died he was worth 6 billion.
        One in Four of the stock owning population of India owns stock in Reliance Industries limited. Making it the one of the most widely held company in the world.
    • brilliant, on 10/11/2007, -1/+0Yeah from a humanitarian point of view, it is messed up.
      But in a race, you don't slow down just because the other runners are behind you.
      He has every right to spend the money however he wants and the poor people around him have no rights to his money.
      Long live capitalism !!!!
    • succubuskiller, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Like some people said in the story about Bill Gates vs. Steve Jobs. It is what you do with the money that makes you remembered in history. There are quite a few well to do folks which gave lots/ plan to for charity. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, two of the richest people in the world.

      If this guy feels great about himself building such a place, fine for him, but his family name will surely not be one that is told of generosity or anything good for the world..
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -2/+3@arjie

      Yhea the socialism of the license raj really really did well for our country pre 1990. Socialism is dead. Capitalism rocks. and thats the truth. We might be a socialist on paper but most of India is capitalist in their heart.
    • cygnusx, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1@thepeacemaker - It's pretty predictable to see someone harp about class and caste without getting their facts straight. It's like you studied India's caste system in an encyclopaedia (Hint: whatever you read there is horribly oversimplified and not very accurate for *modern* India).

      This guy's grandfather was a poor village schoolmaster. This guy's father was India's most spectacular example of a self-made businessman, someone with no family or political connections who manipulated India's notorious red-tape-ridden bureaucracy to create the largest corporate entity in India. Yeah what he's building is a bit extreme. But no more so than what Travolta has or what Bill Gates built. And frankly, it's not out of place given the current building boom in India (brings the construction booms in China and Dubai to mind).
    • avsharath, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2"A walk around many of Mumbai's streets and slums would bring any person to tears. 60% (7million residents) live in slums...
      Pics of a Mumbai slum: http://images.google.com/images?q=dharavi&btnG=Search+Images" -thepeacemaker

      The Dharavi slum went up for sale yesterday in a $2.3bn project:
      http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=152282&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22
    • arjie, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2@potp: It was not egalitarian precisely because of the licence raj. Hence, not socialist.
    • domomike, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0For more information on this subject, search: "new rich."
      For even more information on this subject, search: "donald trump."
  • crazydiode, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1Where are the Income Tax guys (for the uninitiated http://www.laws4india.com/indiantaxlaws/int-raids.asp) ?
    • s1mph0ny, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1You're going to have to put a space after the url and before the parenthesis ) to keep your links from being messed up.
  • robbiedo, on 10/11/2007, -2/+10Well at least he is getting his 600 servant off the streets? WTF, 600 servants!
  • Leomarth, on 10/11/2007, -10/+59He is generating a ton of jobs in the construction, he will be generating a lot of secondary business by servicing his "tower", and 600 people will have jobs. On top of that, he is building UP not OUT, which means he takes up less space than other people building their mansions may take up.

    Keep complaining.
    • AriaStar, on 10/11/2007, -9/+3That's temporary. He and his family are already living in a 14-story mansion.
    • MacGyver2210, on 10/11/2007, -4/+4The people who build his house are no doubt fairly wealthy as architecture and custom skilled building of this sort are pretty rare skills and something that you get paid a LOT to do.

      Also, I sorta doubt he's going to be paying his workers anything more than you'd make at a call center in India making about $4 US/Hour max, and working for 14 hour shifts, 6 days a week.
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -3/+5with Indian standards thats quite a lot and people out here dont get paid per hour. they have a fixed salary per month and As i have mentioned before Reliance the company they own is a very very generous employer but they work your ass off for it.
    • KidSupreme, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2Despite the creation of jobs, you can still feel disgusted that one family will live in a tower with 600 servants, while 7 million people live in slums in the same city.
      Is that really so hard to understand?
      • TomahawkMissile, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0How many of those 600 would be security and building services .
  • addicted68098, on 10/11/2007, -8/+34"Wealth should be a measure of how much you give," - I forget who
    • nymphetamine, on 10/11/2007, -4/+69Probably some poor guy.
    • jcm267, on 10/11/2007, -0/+12Actually it sounds like something Andrew Carnegie might've said.
    • ohmar, on 10/11/2007, -3/+4yeah Gates!
      (not that he said it, but we should sure as hell remember him)
  • rey1867, on 10/11/2007, -6/+39on a side note, ambani's father was a gas attendant

    true indian success story

    but the guy really ought to give back

    too bad there arent more guys like bill gates and warren buffet

    the world sure would be a better place
    • Zanwar000, on 10/11/2007, -3/+8The older Ambani, founder of Reliance Industries, has long been criticized for unethical behavior, even in his clerk job. His son just inherited the wealth. I'm not saying wealth should be taken away from him but people should know he has gained his wealth unethically.
  • jcm267, on 10/11/2007, -4/+13How is this any more rediculous than places like the Neverland Ranch?
    • rey1867, on 10/11/2007, -15/+8because neverland is in the united states and this is in india

      usa doesnt have 800 million people living in poverty

    • jcm267, on 10/11/2007, -5/+7we're all part of the same global community
    • Flummoxer, on 10/11/2007, -1/+46Neverland Ranch gives pleasure and joy to many little boys.
    • MacGyver2210, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8Nobody's saying it's Rediculous...but it's certainly Ridiculous.
    • williamdyer, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2Quite so. Bill Gate's house is just as ridiculous. It is mostly an underground bunker.

      As the whole world gets richer, there will be people like this guy who build palaces. At least he is redefining the architecture of palaces instead of making a faux castle or a falsely modest "house" like Gates.
  • mistic192, on 10/11/2007, -6/+7I've actually been there, I know where he wants to build his tower, it is in direct view for the people of the second largest slum in the world...

    I have a lot of respect for this guy as he's a true selfmade-man BUT his work-ethics are highly questionned in India, low pays, threaths etc etc... apparantly he can be a real tirant on the workfloor...

    I have mixed feelings about this tower... I like towers, but not like this...
    • s11mac, on 10/11/2007, -0/+14He is not a self-made man. He was born with a silver spoon. His father had already made his millions before he was born. Both the Ambani brothers have grown up in wealth.
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -3/+5Screw you. this place is right next to my place and no ways in hell could you spot this place even with the Binoculars from Any Slum Areas. So stop lying.
    • s1mph0ny, on 10/11/2007, -2/+0@ptop: It's not built yet, so you can't see it yet.
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4Dude trust me its already under construction. around 12 floors are done. the building where this is located right opposite some residential quarters of US Consulate Staff. And this is very close to the 60 storey twin towers coming up in same area. if you dont know ***** then just keep quite.
  • hydratedsquash, on 10/11/2007, -4/+3Wow. He could have personal butt-wiper. JEALOUS.
    But disgusted, there are people in India who live in boxes and drink sewage. For a billion he could be a national savior, but I mean come on a butt-wiper? So worth it!
    • PatNolan, on 10/11/2007, -1/+20at least the butt wiper will get free sewage
    • cygnusx, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3> For a billion he could be a national savior,

      No. It doesn't work that way. If he distributed a billion dollars to the poor (say, generously, a third of India -- 300 million people) they'd have $3 and that'd not really improve their living standards. Giving handouts is about the worst way to do charity. IMHO he's doing far better job improving the country with his industries, which create new jobs; and now retail stores (before you get worked up about a new Walmart, let me add that many Indian farmers are too poor to afford refrigerated storage and a decent supply chain into cities, which'd get them a better price ... these are things a decent retail network would bring).

      It's pretty odd, but I see more foreigners than Indians getting worked up about this guy's house. That says something good about the current economic climate in India, I think.

      For the record, although I'm defending his personal spending here, I'm not a big admirer of his company, having received poor customer service from them in the past. Although they do seem to have many satisfied customers.

  • rey1867, on 10/11/2007, -9/+3@ jcm267

    so what if we are all part of the "global community" ??

    people in the states cant relate to people in india and vice versa.

    on a side note, indian billionaires have been pretty stingy

    even lakshmi mittal hasnt donated anything and his net worth is more than 30 billion


  • jerryparid, on 10/11/2007, -4/+3Guys; lets give him a break, the US Embassy in Iraq cost almost 50% less. /s
  • bluechips23, on 10/11/2007, -1/+10I don't really have any respect for some one who fights against his own brother for money and business after their father's death. Their dad was the real man. He was a true success story. These kids are just "trying" to put up a false image. Like some one said, money can't buy everything. There's something much more important than money.
  • identifiedlogo, on 10/11/2007, -6/+3Poor indians,
    • rey1867, on 10/11/2007, -7/+2thx for you ignorant comment

      here's an insight into india

      http://youtube.com/watch?v=FZ0D099wh8Q&mode=related&search=
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2With growth in excess of 9% its gonna be soon to be pretty damn well off to do Indian. You cant wipe out poverty in a day. it will take decades. Did anyone complain about the palaces in England or france when most of country was living in slum like condition in the last century.
  • polymath22, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2check this interactive map out. it takes a couple of seconds to load, and then you must click the icon to enter (it's kinda lame that way). after you get through the introduction, go to "load maps", then choose "recent" or "popular".
    the site has a database of facts about CEO's, government people, etc. that you can "filter" and see how the "old boys network" is laid out at the highest levels. enjoy!
    http://www.theyrule.net/2004/tr2.php
    • pezzonovante, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0a little confusing but very cool...and scary at the same time
  • nubnub, on 10/11/2007, -11/+3Is Storey a word?
    • porplem, on 10/11/2007, -1/+13Chiefly British.
    • MacGyver2210, on 10/11/2007, -6/+3"Chiefly British."

      ....?
    • CanoeBuilder, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5"?"

      as in a word, of the English language, in use primarily on and by those hailing from, the British Isles
  • Hetman, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2Reality sucks is all I can say. When it really comes down to it if you have the influence and the right idea you can become rich. I mean I believe that all societies need a certian amount of socialism. But you also have to encorage people to be progressive and insightfill.
    • reparsed, on 10/11/2007, -6/+2Basic necessities of life should be socialized, everything else left to capitalism.
    • Cyphase, on 10/11/2007, -3/+4"Basic necessities of life should be socialized, everything else left to capitalism." - reparsed

      What?! You want the most important things to be in the hands of the government? Have you never heard of the food lines in Soviet Russia? Hours upon hours, waiting to get bread! I would say food is the third most basic necessity, right behind oxygen and water. Should the government distribute food? I don't think that *you* think that. And if you do, you're nuts.
    • arjie, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Cyphase: Not necessarily the government. I think what he means is that at the basic level, every man's needs must be met to the same extent, and beyond that point onward, it's his life which is somewhat similar to places which have the dole. They try to ensure that you can feed and clothe yourself but to have some of life's luxuries, like driving a car, having a tv, fridge, computer... you need to work.
    • Cyphase, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1@arjie
      If he wants to get involved in some private organization that makes sure people get fed, fine, I'm all for that. But usually, when people say "socialized", it means the government takes control of it, which means two things. One, they pay for it by taking money from everyone, i.e. taxes, which means they have no profit incentive to do their job well. Two, because of that fact, it's inefficient as all hell. Just look at welfare. About 70% of the money that's put into welfare goes into salaries and infrastructure. Only 30% goes to the people who "need" it. Of course, lots of people scam welfare. As opposed to most private charities having 15-20% overhead, with the rest going to help people who really do need help.
  • brickbat, on 10/11/2007, -5/+2How does one earn through their own effort without taking advantage of the effort of others, and amount of more than say, 10 million dollars in a lifetime?
  • danarama, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2"It will not go down well with the public and there is a growing tide of anger about such absurd spending."

  • tiffany98121, on 10/11/2007, -4/+3a picture of this should be in the dictionary next to "Nouveau riche"
  • remccain, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2You know what the kicker is?

    HE OUTSOURCED ALL THE LABOR!

  • Squetomee, on 10/11/2007, -4/+0How does a family of 6 require 600 people? Seeing as that's 100 per person, I'd guess that most of the employees stand around doing nothing most of the time.

    Hope they're paid well.
    • pak314, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3Actually that is how it is in much of India. If your our middle class or better, you can easily afford a servant to do your cooking and cleaning. One of my friends brother lives in Bangalore and works for Oracle. He is an engineer in his mid 20s and has one person to cook for his and one to clean his place. India has so many people that live poorly that even if you are slightly rich you can find some to work for you cheaply.
    • rgzn, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1The 600 permanent workers of his company - the big Reliance, not for his family of 6.

      I say let the man do what he wants.
    • postaboy, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Think of it as 10 people to maintain each floor, not 100 for each family member.
  • aserer511, on 10/11/2007, -10/+51) Land 3 million dollars
    2) Materials 10 million dollars
    3) Furnishings and art 10 million dollars
    4) Lifetime supply of Febreeze 1 million dollars
    5) Knowing you'll never be able to remove the smell of curry: priceless.

    :) This is not meant to be racist, just a little joke...
  • zaldoe, on 10/11/2007, -2/+360 storey's ? they'd rather live in the elevator instead
  • numba1xclusive, on 10/11/2007, -3/+15Seriously, the comments i'm seeing are ridiculous. Yes, it may be conspicuous to build a tower, but seriously, let the man do what he wants. Its his wealth, and the way i see it, we can't put our own moral relativism into how he should spend his money. Besides, him and his company have generated thousands of jobs across the country, so he technically is doing more good than any of us probably will in our lifetimes.

    So seriously, cut the communism/marxist/wannabe Ralph Waldo Emerson crap, and just move on.
    • varunb007, on 10/11/2007, -2/+7I agree with you 100%. The driving force behind capitalism is so people can earn money to fulfill their desires. Whether he made the money himself or his father did, that wealth came from providing a service to the community and he has every right to spend it as he pleases. It's easy for us to tell him how to spend his money since we have everything to gain and nothing to lose. As long as he didn't steal the money, I have no problem with how he spends it.
    • rosko1234, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1I do not agree with this statement. "Whether he made the money himself or his father did, that wealth came from providing a service to the community and he has every right to spend it as he pleases."

      Even though that he may have created his wealth by providing services to the community, given the lack of respect for the laws that wealthy people have in India, it is very likely that he also stole this money from the community that he is supposed to serve.

      Moreover, the fact that he is building a palace that seems to be an extension of his ego can indicate that this wealthy Indian has no respect for the legal system of his country or any moral standards that another less wealthy and egocentric person may have. The fact that this wealthy Indian built a palace for himself to serve only his egocentric nature can be interpreted as an indicator that he does not have moral standards or respect for the legal system in his country.

      If that indeed it is the case, it seems very likely that this wealthy Indian created his wealth by exploiting his community and not by serving it.
  • ChristBehemoth, on 10/11/2007, -4/+1total waste i say
  • dpierce, on 10/11/2007, -2/+35Mr. Ambani is doing exactly what was discussed in the book The World is Flat. Good for him.

    A South Asian Muslim friend of mine once told me this story. His Indian Muslim
    family split in 1948, with half going to Pakistan and half staying in Mumbai. When
    he got older he asked his father why the Indian half of the family seemed to be doing
    better than the Pakistani half. His father said to him, ‘Son, when a Muslim grows up
    in India and he sees a man living in a big mansion high on a hill, he says, “Father, one
    day I will be that man”. And when a Muslim grows up in Pakistan and sees a man
    living in a big mansion high on a hill, he says, “Father, one day I will kill that man”.
    (p. 459)
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -1/+8i so agree with you on this statement. in a recent survey more people looked up to emulating indian Business men like ambani, Mittal, Tata and Birlas then Sports or Movie Stars.
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4while one society tries to better himself the other society teaches you to persecute those who do better then you.
    • aeoo, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Between greed and hatred, really, neither one is better.

      It's a false choice.
  • phoenixankit, on 10/11/2007, -3/+61) This is NOT a 60 story building. It is a 27 story building with the height of 60 Stories.
    2) Incase you dont know, all these uber rich dudes have parties and conferences, VIP guests, 24x7. THAT is why it needs 6 story parking and 600 servants and 3 helipads.
    3) They have more security Issues than you can imagine, THAT is why the 27 stories include a pool, gardens, gyms, even a movie theatre (lol)
    4) Yes, it his his ego also, but the man deserves it.
    • s1mph0ny, on 10/11/2007, -3/+0He needs the 6 floors of parking because the family owns over 100 "import" cars. They don't even have the decency to buy indian cars.
  • wiseguy84, on 10/11/2007, -6/+0when is enough, enough?
    • williamdyer, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5Give up your car and TV, move into a small apartment, and ask me again.
    • wiseguy84, on 10/11/2007, -2/+0I think that a 60-story house is a little bit different from my TV, car, and modest apartment. I want to get rich and build a badass house just as much as the next guy but for some of these people enough is never enough.
  • acudoc, on 10/11/2007, -6/+2Precious capital sunk into a 60 storey mansion when it could be further employed to generate more wealth, more capital...
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5600+ direct jobs and more will be created as secondary jobs connected with it. And it is making Money. the Asset Value of this building is huge especially with the soaring property prices.
  • ladyarcher85, on 10/11/2007, -0/+11Its his money, let him do whatever the hell he wants to do with it.
    But though you are disgustingly rich, there are just some things in this world that you cannot buy and one of that is taste. That structure is hideously ugly!
    For him to spend that much money, couldn't he not have hired a better architect?
  • potp, on 10/11/2007, -1/+7Holy ***** this place is right next to my House. i am not kidding. i can actually see this building from my house. Wow. i knew that place would be big but never imagined it to be this freaking big. If anyone is interested i could go out and take a Pic of the construction. right now only 10 to 12 floors are done. Still a long way to go.
    • DaneTrain, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2I'd be really interested in seeing that. I can't believe an entire skyscraper is going to be someone's home. I'm kind of curious, at 60 stories in height, how will this compare to rest of the Mumbai skyline?
      I know the people at http://forum.skyscraperpage.com would be really interested as well in seeing this as it comes along, if you're up to it.
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1i will be taking a few photos tomorrow, Its raining right now so the view kind of obscured. i will surely post it at your place. There is another 60 storey residential complex in direct view an i thin you might be interested in picture of those too.
  • oifish, on 10/11/2007, -5/+1digg down accidental post
  • Ukonu, on 10/11/2007, -6/+3I'll be the first to admit this man has the right to waste as much of his resources as he wants. But I'll also be the first to call his actions immoral. Those are two separate statements that apologists for the rich seem to like to intertwine.

    I can admit that in most modernized societies people have the legal right to do immoral things. The solution is not to outlaw those actions. Their ability to preform said actions is usually an intrinsic part of an effective but flawed system (capitalism). The outlawing of those actions would have drastic, negative consequences on the mentality of the more prolific members of a society (e.g. "Why bother trying to be successful if the government won't let me enjoy my success?" - leading to - "Why do I even let the government control my fate? I should rebel!") The solution is to strengthen the moral fabric of a society and hope that it's individuals will choose the right path.

    Much like he has the right to do whatever he wants with his money, we have the right, the duty, to recognize and discuss the wrongness of what he is doing. Without society members critically examining, and most times denouncing, the overindulgence of the extreme upper class, their wastefulness would grow and remain unfettered.
    • etnu, on 10/11/2007, -7/+0HIS resources? Did he create the land he's building on? Did he create the steel and brick it's built with?

      If he has a right to waste the earth's resources, than I have a right to destroy his building.
    • Cyphase, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5"Without society members critically examining, and most times denouncing, the overindulgence of the extreme upper class, their wastefulness would grow and remain unfettered." - Ukonu

      Personally, I would never spend that much money on a house, but that's just me. Maybe that kind of thing just gets him off. I don't think the people building his house and the people who are going to be working as staff are complaining about his "waste".

      @etnu
      No, he didn't create the land. He bought the land. He didn't create the steel and brick. He bought the steel and brick.

      Did you create all the materials that the house and car companies used to build your house and car? No. Does that mean I have the right to destroy your house and car? No.
    • aeoo, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Well said! A system of politics, no matter how good, is never going to deliver a good standard of living. All systems can be gamed by people with ill intents. What causes people to stop gaming is not a better system, but a better heart within.

      Well said. Thumbs up!
  • mandarin, on 10/11/2007, -6/+1Lives in a 60 story building while the rest of his countrymen live in poverty....
    • Cyphase, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3At least he just gave a job to 600+ people. Probably people with families.
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -1/+6So you can only show off if you live a rich country? Give me a freaking break. Well atlest he is using his money for something that helps the local economy then being ***** retarded useless millionaire like Paris Hilton and P Diddy.
  • gab00n, on 10/11/2007, -3/+13I'll build a 120 story house right next door just to ***** with him.
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Good luck finding a place. There is literally no land left to be sold.
  • cajie, on 10/11/2007, -0/+16So what if he builds a luxury apartment?. It's his money.
    Some of you are saying he should spend part of it, and give the rest for something worthwhile.
    Well, you could start by giving the $30 (I am sure all here can afford it) to world food programme. It pays for 1 years worth of food for 1 child in a third world country. Think about that.
    Go here...
    www.wfp.org/food_aid/school_feeding/index.asp

    Well??
    What are you waiting for?
  • Nozferatu, on 10/11/2007, -5/+3Ahh...capitalism at its best...Americans should be proud!
  • chaos7, on 10/11/2007, -9/+2anyone that would build that for himself has mental problems. do something good with it you lucky *****.
  • thumbup, on 10/11/2007, -2/+360 stories high, when 59 just isn't enough.
  • minabhi, on 10/11/2007, -1/+6I don't understand why people are making fuss about this. When his father and he gave millions of job to people of India and made millions of home for those people no journalist cried that it was obscene. Reliance is the king of stock market and it has helped ordinary people of India have their daughters married from the earnings of the stocks. Now he wants to use his wealth for his pleasure so what the hell is the problem with you people, it is his money and in a way he is also giving lot many people jobs for the same.

    Let the rich enjoy their riches, give them some incentive to make money for themselves and the country, this is the only way to remove poverty from India which everyone is seeing since 1991.
  • MrSteamTank, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2As long as the poor have a chance to raise their standard of living and become rich within their lifetime I think this display of wealth is fine. Unfortunately, I hear India still has that caste system that ensures if you're born poor you stay poor.

    If ridiculous display's of wealth keep happening the poor will end up voting in for a crazy communist leader(look at Bolivia and Venezuela). Then when these leaders strip everything from the rich by force it'll be their just deserts for ignoring the massive poverty in their own country.
    • cygnusx, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1> Unfortunately, I hear India still has that caste system that ensures if you're born poor you stay poor.

      This guy's father is actually a great counterexample to that. He started out as a poor village schoolmaster's son and ended up India's richest Industrialist.

  • 1b2a, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1It's all compensation.
  • junskey, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1wow straight up ballin
  • cajie, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4Guys,
    It's simple maths.

    When you earn $20,000 a year, you will look at buying a house that around $100,000 (5 times your annual income).
    When you earn $50,000 a year, you will look a bit higher (say a 3 bedroom apartment at $250,000?). That's still 5 times your annual income
    When you earn $250,000 a year, those million dollar houses look pretty inviting. Let's say $1,250,000 with a swimming pool and tennis court?. How about that?

    This freaking guy is earning more than a billion per year, so even if he spends $5 billion for a home, he's normal like all you guys :)

    Since he is spending only 1 billion, it's mighty generous of him - I woud say.
    • TomahawkMissile, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0hes not spending a billion thats just the property value due to the recent boom. he got the land years ago.
  • AsylumAleikum, on 10/11/2007, -7/+2Soon Ambani will have an opportunity to piss on lowly serfs from the roof of his 570ft tall home. Unless, of course, he drinks his own urine as do many Indian dignitaries.
    • potp, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4congratulation. you just made it to my block list. :)
  • qbqb, on 10/11/2007, -1/+0Antilla was also the name of a German U-Boat whose captain blew it up rather than surrender to Dutch marines. 6 Dutch boy scouts and a dog with rabies to scuttle this house.
  • vigorously, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1... they have the money to spend, they spend it with their own will.. it's not even going to make a difference whether we like it or not.. he is building that house for himself and his family. He is the richest man in india.. and I don't see why he wouldn't build a house with that much of an investment. People want power, they want respect, and this is headline news ....
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