An extravagant Florida mansion that's modeled after the Palace of Versailles sold at auction for a $100 million price cut - here's a look inside

Katie CanalesJan 30, 2019, 21:05 IST

Courtesy of Concierge Auctions

One of the most expensive homes to ever land on the market in the US sold in November 2018.
Playa Vista Isle, formerly Le Palais Royal, is in Hillsboro Beach, Florida, on the ritzy "Millionaire's Mile" between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Property records show it sold for $42.5 million at auction, over $100 million less than its asking price of $159 million.
According to a press release from Concierge Auctions, it still set a record as the most expensive US home ever sold at auction.

Imagine waking up in a 30,000-square-foot French-inspired chateau on the calm Atlantic shores of Florida.

For the new owners of Playa Vista Isle, that's more of a reality than a dream.

Once the most expensive home in the country, Playa Vista Isle, in Hillsboro Beach sold in November 2018 after a bidding war amongst 11 buyers. According to property records, it sold for $42.5 million, more than $100 million less than its asking price of $159 million. Still, the sale price reportedly broke a record as the highest a US home has sold for at auction.

Property records also show the buyer is Oppornova LLC, a Delaware-based company affiliated with Andrew Mack, co-founder of tea company Teavana, which was acquired by Starbucks in 2012.

The mansion holds 11 bedrooms, 22 bathrooms, and $3 million worth of 22-karat gold leafing. It was modeled after the Palace of Versailles and is essentially the mega-mansion of your French royalty dreams.

Take a look around the home and its expansive property.

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An extravagant Florida mansion that's modeled after the Palace of Versailles sold at auction for a $100 million price cut - here's a look inside

Welcome to Playa Vista Isle.

The 5-acre property sits in South Florida along the ritzy Hillsboro Beach's "Millionaire's Mile," named so for its air of wealth and exclusivity.

The estate is shouldered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other. It comes with private boating docks ...

... as well as 500 feet of uninterrupted ocean views and private beachfront.

The estate first popped up in 2014 — while it was still under construction — for $139 million. It was listed on the market for a year unfinished.

It was modeled after France's Palace of Versailles, which features the same ornate architectural design.

Playa Vista Isle was originally dubbed Le Palais Royal, or The Royal Palace.

It's since seen a name change, additional construction, and a $20 million price hike ...

... and as of November 2018 has a new owner since its previous owner, construction titan Robert Pereira, bowed out of the estate.

Past the gold-plated gates is a pristine elevated driveway ...

... which encircles a water fountain ...

... and leads right up to the home's grand entrance.

The doors are embossed with 22-karat gold and are 12 feet high.

Mosaics stand to the side of the doors and depict the four seasons of the year.

Through the doors is a grand foyer and a staircase crafted out of imported South African marble.

The entryway is beset with 22-karat gold, which is also featured throughout the home.

The staircase alone cost $2 million to craft.

Through the foyer is a seating area.

The glass windows span floor to ceiling and are retractable.

The main seating area opens up to one of the many dining tables.

The crown molding is also gilded in 22-karat gold.

A family room is lined in mahogany and holds a saltwater aquarium with a 3D TV.

The formal dining room can fit 16 guests.

Its domed ceiling boasts a majestic, heavenly painting.

And its doors open up to the sea breeze from the ocean.

The kitchen is on the main level as well.

It features mahogany cabinets and gold leaf gilding.

An eating nook is nearby.

Right off the staircase on the upper level is the library ...

... as is one of three master bedrooms.

The entire south wing is designated for the master suite. The guest rooms are on the opposite side.

There are multiple master bathrooms as well ...

... which boast considerable amounts of vanity space.

Each bathroom features a round Jacuzzi tub ...

... and the showers have seats and rainfall showerheads.

The master suite has a private parlor, which offers even more extraordinary views of the ocean.

There's a workspace as well, though it's a wonder anyone could get any work done here.

And the wine cellar downstairs? It's protected by biometric security — meaning only those registered with the system can access the 3,000-bottle room.

The home theater boasts the world's first residential 3D IMAX theater and fits 18 guests.

Another salon can be found on the lower level ...

... and just beyond its doors sits the estate's outdoor paradise.

An elevated sky bridge connects the master suite ...

... to the 4,500-square-foot pool outside, which includes a water slide ...

... and a variety of waterfalls ...

... in different arrangements.

A spa with a glass bottom sits 40 feet above ground level.

And a putting green sits yards from the pool.

There's an underground garage (not pictured) with a controllable climate that can be accessed by a secured tunnel and can fit up to 20 vehicles.

A 2-acre undeveloped lot is also included; the buyer can do with it as they please.

Initial plans were to use the lot for two guest houses, a go-kart track, an ice rink, a bowling alley, and a night club.

But those amenities were never added on — as if the estate needed any more bells and whistles.