Why owner of controversial £15 million ‘sky mansion’ built on top of skyscraper might never get to live in it
The owner of the controversial £15 million sky mansion may never get to actually live in it.
Back in 2010, businessman Vijay Mallya built a mansion on top of the Kingfisher Towers in UB City, Bengaluru, India.
The unique home was commissioned to be a replica of the White House, and it's pretty impressive, featuring an infinity pool, helipad and huge lush gardens.
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Sitting 400 feet in the sky, it's totally separate from the apartments below and covers 40,00 square feet.
But in a bizarre twist, Mallya might never get to live in the £15 million space.
Imagine spending that much money building a huge mansion but never actually being able to experience it?
This is because eight years ago, Mallya fled India to move to the UK as he defaulted on debts of more than $1bn (£842m), and faced charges including fraud.
Last year, British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat was asked about the extradition of Mallya, to which he said the UK does not intend to become a place where people can evade justice.
He denies any wrongdoing.
Tugendhat told the Press Trust of India: "We both (the UK and India) have legal processes that must be gone through. But the UK government is absolutely clear, we have no intention of becoming a place where those who are seeking to evade justice can hide."
In the meantime, the mansion is sitting empty in the sky, with rumours that Mallya has never even stepped foot inside.
Irfan Razack, the chairman of Prestige Estates Projects, which is part of a joint development agreement to construct the tower, said of the project: “It was a challenge to construct the mansion on a huge cantilever at that height, but we have ensured we build it exactly the way it was conceived."
Despite it being empty, people are often seen admiring the structure.
One person wrote online: "This is one of the best property in the country, it houses one expensive hotel, one of the most premium residences in the city, the only high end luxury shopping centre of the city, and the penthouse to top it off. Located close to the the heart of the city."
While another said: "What a stunning 20 million dollar mansion built atop Kingfisher Towers in Bengaluru, showcasing luxury living in India's bustling city."
And a third said: "Wow, talk about living the high life! I guess the only way to go from here is UP... literally!"
Topics: World News, Property
Lucy Devine