Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd is the mystery buyer of an $80 million beach-side villa in Dubai, the city’s biggest ever residential property deal, two people familiar with the deal said.
The property on Palm Jumeirah was purchased earlier this year for Ambani’s youngest son, Anant, one of the people said, asking not to be named as the transaction is private. The beach-side mansion sits in the northern part of the palm-shaped artificial archipelago and has 10 bedrooms, a private spa, and indoor and outdoor pools, Indian media reports said.
Dubai is emerging as a favourite market for the ultra-rich as curbs on foreign home ownership become more relaxed. British footballer David Beckham with his wife Victoria and Bollywood mega star Shah Rukh Khan will be some of Ambani’s new neighbours.
Anant is one of three heirs to Ambani’s $93.3 billion fortune, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The world’s 11th richest person, now 65-years-old, is slowly handing the reins to his children after a diversification push that expanded his empire into green energy, tech and e-commerce.
The family has been increasing its real estate footprint overseas, with all three siblings looking Westward for second homes, one of the people said. Last year, Reliance spent $79 million to buy Stoke Park Ltd in the UK, which houses a Georgian-era mansion said to be for older son Akash, who was recently named chairman of telecom operator Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. His twin sister, Isha, is scouting for a home in New York, the person added.
The Dubai property deal has been covert and will be held by one of Reliance’s offshore entities, said one of the people, adding that the Ambanis will spend millions of dollars to customise it and ensure its security. Longtime Ambani associate Parimal Nathwani, a director of corporate affairs at the group and member of parliament, will manage the villa.
The Ambanis’ primary residence will remain Antilia, a 27-story skyscraper in Mumbai with three helipads, parking for 168 cars, a 50-seat movie theatre, a grand ballroom and nine elevators.
Reliance did not respond to emails and calls seeking comment.
In addition to luxury homes, Palm Jumeirah’s string of islands comprises posh hotels, restaurants and splashy apartment towers with breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf’s blue waters. Its construction began in 2001, with the first residents moving in around 2007.
Dubai’s property market contributes around a third of its economy and Indians, in particular, have consistently ranked among the top buyers of Dubai real estate.
The global property market has been on fire lately. Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli was said to be buying a home in London’s exclusive Belgravia district for about 92 million pounds ($108 million) in June, and the Financial Times reported earlier this month that an estate 20 miles west of London sold for 125 million pounds.
In the US, Joe Tsai’s Blue Pool Capital recently acquired a New York penthouse previously owned by Dan Och for $188 million, while Asia’s most-expensive apartment per square foot sold in Hong Kong for HK$640 million ($82 million) in November.
