These extravagant properties, once symbols of opulence and luxury, now stand empty and forgotten, like neglected relics of the past. From grand palaces to stately mansions, each has its own story of abandonment and decay. But what caused these once-majestic homes to fall into such disrepair? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most expensive derelict mansions in the world and unravel the mysteries behind their neglect. Scroll on to explore these captivating tales…
Derelict Palazzo, Żebbuġ, Malta
In the charming city of Żebbuġ, Malta, you’ll find a magnificent palazzo that has seen better days. Abandoned for years, this historic property is still structurally sound and currently up for sale by Sotheby’s International Real Estate at €4.5 million (£3.9m/$4.8m). The palazzo boasts a sprawling 0.74-acre plot with a beautifully landscaped walled garden featuring 300 orange trees, a majestic pine tree, and nine wells.Inside, the palazzo offers 5,382 square feet of living space, showcasing its remarkable history.
It even houses a private chapel, the Chapel of Our Lady of Forsaken Souls, which holds Grade I protection. Built in the 18th century as a hunting lodge for Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc, the 70th Prince and Grand Master of the Order of St John, the property boasts 15 palatial rooms with vaulted ceilings, ornate fireplaces, and arches.
The interior opens up to an interior courtyard bathed in natural light.With its banquet hall, antique living room, and private theatre, this mansion’s opulence still shines through its run-down state. Plans to convert it into a 50-room hotel were suspended in May 2022 due to local opposition, making it available once again for restoration.
Billionaires’ Row, London, UK
The Bishops Avenue, also known as Billionaires’ Row, in Hampstead, London, is renowned for its affluence and controversy. Approximately one-third of the mansions on this prominent road have been abandoned and fallen into ruin. Most of these luxurious properties are owned by foreign investors who have left them uninhabited, resulting in a sad state of disrepair.
Many of these 66 homes were constructed in the late 1970s, with around 20 now standing derelict, despite being among Britain’s most valuable properties.
In 2008, Toprak Mansion on The Bishops Avenue set a UK record as the most expensive home ever sold at £55.6 million ($69.2m).Once a symbol of grandeur, these mansions now bear the marks of neglect, with crumbling ceilings and abandoned interiors. Some have remained untouched for over 30 years, earning the street the nickname “one of the most expensive wastelands in the world.”
Selma Mansion, Virginia, USA
This historic plantation house in Leesburg, Virginia, dating back to 1700, sits on 212 acres. Rebuilt in 1902 in a Colonial Revival style, it once belonged to Elijah Brokenborough White, a wealthy figure who spared no expense in decorating the rooms with fine paneling and impressive features.
During the 1920s, Selma Mansion hosted grand balls and dinners attended by local politicians and VIPs.
However, after passing through various owners, it fell into disrepair when Dutch businessman Peter J. ter Maaten effectively abandoned it in the early 2000s.Selma Mansion faced years of decay, vandalism, and structural damage.
It was even designated one of Virginia’s most at-risk historic sites by Preservation Virginia. In 2016, Sharon Virts and Scott Miller rescued the mansion, purchasing it for £966,000 ($1.2m) and embarking on its restoration.
Thomas-Clay House, Georgia, USA
This elegant stately mansion in Augusta, Georgia, built in the 1890s, carries a rich history. With eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, it once played host to the 27th President of the United States, William Howard Taft, in the early 20th century.
Commissioned by businessman Landon Addison Thomas Jr. in the late 19th century, the property remained in the same family for over a century until it was sold in April 2022.
Despite its fading grandeur, the mansion retains its original hardwood floors, striking period features, and extensive living spaces.
Surrounded by over three acres of land, the estate’s overgrown grounds still hold potential for revival, making the Thomas-Clay House a prime candidate for restoration.
Swannanoa, Virginia, USA
This imposing Italian Renaissance Revival mansion was built in 1912 for Major James H. Dooley, a business leader and philanthropist. Costing £1.6 million ($2m), it was a testament to luxury, featuring Carrara marble, gold plumbing fixtures, and a stunning Tiffany stained-glass window.
After the deaths of the Dooleys, the mansion went through various owners and uses, from a country club to a university campus.
It was eventually closed to the public and fell into disrepair, with parts of it used as a military facility during wartime.
Despite its glorious past, Swannanoa suffered damage during Russia’s war on Ukraine, with reports of shells and bombs hitting the estate. In June 2022, it was announced that the property would become a state park and protected area.
More about Swannanoa Palace: Swannanoa Palace: Virginia’s Enchanting Time Capsule
Mezhyhirya Residence, Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine
Mezhyhirya Residence in Ukraine is a symbol of corruption and excess. Originally the summer residence of the Soviet leadership, it became the personal project of President Viktor Yanukovych.
He privatized the property and spent millions on extravagant interiors, including gilt and crystal chandeliers, a marble staircase, and even a private zoo.
The residence faced damage during the conflict in Ukraine, and its fate as a military facility and shelter for locals during times of danger speaks to its troubled history.
Despite being abandoned after Yanukovych’s exile, the estate was eventually designated as a state park in June 2022.
Bamboo Palace, Gbadolite, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mobutu Sese Seko, the former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, squandered £80.4 million ($100m) on the opulent Bamboo Palace in Gbadolite during the 1970s.
This palace complex featured lavish residences, a nightclub, a private zoo, and even a mini replica of Beijing’s Forbidden Palace.
Mobutu’s extravagance knew no bounds, and he even built a new highway to connect Gbadolite to Kyiv.
However, his regime ended in 1997, and the palace was looted and left in ruins, overtaken by the jungle.Today, Gbadolite’s Bamboo Palace stands as a testament to Mobutu’s excesses and the passage of time.
More about Bamboo Palace: The Rise and Fall of Bamboo Palace: A Dictator’s Tale of Opulence and Ruin
Kinmel Hall, Conwy, UK
Known as the ‘Welsh Versailles,’ Kinmel Hall dates back to the 1870s and boasts a remarkable 365 rooms—a room for every day of the year.
It was built for copper magnate Hugh Robert Hughes, and its lavish interiors featured Italian and Flemish marble, a grand ballroom, and a spectacular minstrels’ gallery.In the 1920s, it was converted into a hospital for shell-shocked soldiers during World War I.
After that, it changed hands several times and fell into a state of disrepair, with parts of it used as a college campus.Various attempts to restore the mansion failed over the years.
However, in 2020, it was purchased for £1.5 million ($1.9m) with plans to convert it into luxury apartments and a spa. Restoration efforts are ongoing, aiming to revive this remarkable piece of history.
If you liked this: A List Of Some Of The Most Amazing & Eerie Abandoned Places Worldwide
These once-opulent mansions, now derelict and abandoned, offer a glimpse into the rise and fall of empires, fortunes, and extravagant dreams. Some may find new life through restoration projects, while others may remain as haunting reminders of excess and neglect. Each mansion tells a unique story, reflecting the passage of time and the changing fortunes of those who once called them home.
