The most expensive homes in the world sold in 2016

Daily Mail

12 Jan, 2017 08:45 AM3 mins to read

In Texas, Andrew Beal shelled out US$100 million for this mansion in Dallas. Photo / Zillow.com

You may have thought Auckland house prices were bad, but check out these palatial homes from around the world that fetched huge sums.

Anyone with about $150 million lying around in spare change at some point in 2016 could have struck one of the biggest real estate deals around.

With a new year upon us, it's time to look back on the biggest purchases from last year, which saw record prices well into the nine figures for some of the most lavish properties around, the Daily Mail reports.

A gargantuan 32-bedroom, 32-bath garden home in the Chinese city of Suzhou, just west of Shanghai, was one of the year's most expensive real estate transactions.

A 32-bedroom, 32-bathroom home in the city of Suzhou, just west of Shanghai, was one of the year's most expensive real estate transactions. Photo / Beijing Sotheby's International Realty

Known as the "one billion yuan luxury home" due to its price tag in local currency, the house set a record in mainland China after hitting the market for a cool US$154m ($217m), according to Mansion Global.

The home is even being marketed under the heading "Taohuayuan," which means 'utopia' in Mandarin.

While the home is a record for mainland China, it still falls short of a luxury property in Hong Kong that was sold last year for US$270m ($380m), according to Mansion Global.

Those lucky enough to have upwards of US$90m ($127m) in the bank could have had a shot at the penthouse apartment at 432 Park Avenue in New York City.

The third-largest skyscraper in the United States and the tallest residential building in the world, the 85-storey, 495-room is a relative newcomer to the Manhattan skyline.

This past year, its top-story apartment sold for US$87.7m, according to CNN.

In Texas, Beal Bank founder Andrew Beal shelled out US$100m ($140m) for a 2600sq m mansion in Dallas.

The Crespi Hicks Estate, which sits on 25 acres, has seven bedrooms and numerous bathrooms. Photo / Zillow.com

The Crespi Hicks estate was once owned by Tom Hicks, a former owner of local sports teams like the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars. Photo / Zillow.com

The Crespi Hicks Estate, which sits on 25 acres, has seven bedrooms and numerous bathrooms as well as 4m-high ceilings.

It was once owned by Tom Hicks, the prominent Dallas businessman.

Out in Los Angeles, Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores paid US$100m for a 2790sq m property in exclusive Holmby Hills.

The house at 301 North Carolwood Drive was once home to the estate of Barbra Streisand, according to Curbed Los Angeles.

The home, which is across the street from Frank Sinatra's former pad, consists of 10 bedrooms and 20 full bathrooms, according to Forbes.

The house at North Carolwood Drive was once home to the estate of singer Barbra Streisand. Photo / MLS

The home, which is across the street from Frank Sinatra's former pad, consists of 10 bedrooms and 20 full bathrooms. Photo / MLS

The property comes equipped with an entertainment pad. It boasts a lounge, theatre complex, wine room and separate valet entrance. Photo / MLS

As if that weren't enough, it has a huge master suite with a private covered patio. Photo / MLS

The property comes equipped with an entertainment pad. It boasts of a lounge, theatre complex, wine room, and separate valet entrance.

As if that weren't enough, it has a 492sq m master suite with a private covered patio.

There's even a fireside lounge, a lap pool, a number of sports courts, and a hiking trail.

Hugh Hefner originally asked for US$200m ($281m) for his prized Playboy Mansion, but he had to settle for a measly US$100m.

The buyer, Daren Metropoulous, 33, is the co-owner of Twinkies maker Hostess, according to CNN.

Metropoulous bought it with the intention of merging its 5 acres with his own home, thus restoring it to the original 7.3-acre property as envisioned by the developer in the 1920s.

The Playboy Mansion, which Hefner has called home since 1971, has seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a wine cellar, home theatre, gym, tennis court, and swimming pool.