The Most Expensive Home Renovations In The World

Location: Austin, Texas
Year Renovated: 2008-2012
Est. Cost: $25 million*

The Texas Governor’s Mansion in Austin, Texas, was a stunning building first built in the late 1800s. Sadly, not everyone thought it worthy. In June 2008, a fire broke out after an unknown assailant threw a molotov cocktail on the porch, causing severe damage to the property. 

Texas Governor's Mansion @texas.gov

In a stroke of luck (if you can call it that), the property was undergoing improvements at the time so many of its valuable and historical items weren’t inside. A much bigger renovation than planned ended up taking place, totaling a cost of $25 million dollars. The entire project took more than four years to complete. 

Location: Roehampton, London 
Year Renovated: 2010-2020
Est. Cost: $42 million*

There are many stunning listed properties in the UK, but a large portion of them have been sadly left to deteriorate. Templeton House is nestled in Roehampton, a charming suburb in the nation’s capital. Originally built in 1786, the building has a great history, having once homed Sir Winston Churchill. 

Templeton House @gowercroftjoinery.com

Over the years, the building fell into disrepair and lay in a sorry state for quite some time. Thankfully, it was bought in 2010 by two wealthy property developers who set about giving it the ultimate facelift. It took 10 years and $42 million dollars, but Templeton House is now a shining example of British architecture once more, with Wedgwood plastering and a spa. 

Location: Mayfair, London
Year Renovated: 2012
Est. Cost: $85 million*

It’s the dream of many wealthy entrepreneurs to be able to buy a house in swanky Mayfair, but it’s usually just a select few that get the chance. Unless you have Tesla level money, you may be outbid. Luckily for businessman John Caudwell, he had the funds to both purchase and renovate Ancaster House and 8 Chesterfield Gardens, making the ultimate dream property. 

Mayfair House @lovepropertyuk/@thetimessunday/Pinterest

The original purchase cost Caudwell $115 million, but that wasn’t all. He totally gutted both of the properties, combining the two to make a sprawling 43,00-feet, 15-bedroom house. It wasn’t a cheap project, costing him a further $85 million. 

Location: Limburg in Hesse, Germany 
Year Renovated: 2013
Est. Cost: $34 million*

This particular renovation was somewhat of a historical moment for the picturesque town of Limburg in Hesse, Germany. Owned by German Catholic Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, this stunning property was the recipient of a $34 million overhaul in 2013. 

Diocesan Centre St. Nicholas @lovepropertyuk/Pinterest

While the original budget was just a few million, the finished result ended up costing significantly more. Needless to say, heads of the modest catholic church weren’t exactly thrilled by the Bishop’s show of opulence. Behind the original 16th century facade an ultra-slick minimalist building was constructed, complete with a fancy koi carp pond that would leave Amazon’s Jeff Bezos drooling.

Location: Cottlesoe, Western Australia
Year Renovated: 2011
Est. Cost: $11 million*

When it comes to old houses, Le Fanu in Western Australia doesn’t break any records. However, the charming property isn’t exactly young either, having a build date of 1890. The original owner was Henry Diggins, who lived in the beachfront abode with his wife and three kids. It was later sold to the church in 1945, before being purchased by another private owner in 1973. 

Le Fanu @housenerd/@housenerd/Pinterest

By 2008, Le Fanu had deteriorated significantly, which made a sale difficult. Because of its listed rating, it could not be demolished or structurally altered and needed to be lovingly restored. Thankfully, new owners were eventually found. The $10 million renovation was done in spectacular fashion, turning it into an Insta-worthy villa. 

Location: London
Year Renovated: 2018-2027 (estimated completion date)*
Est. Cost: $485 million*

Buckingham Palace is the home of Queen Elizabeth II. The spectacular property is a tourist destination for millions of visitors every year, but few get to see inside its hallowed halls. As you may expect from a palace that’s over 300 years old, it’s in need of a little updating. 

Buckingham Palace @theroyalfamily/Instagram

Renovations on the property started in 2018 and are expected to go on until at least 2027. The estimated total cost is set to exceed over $485 million, thanks in part to the sheer size of the building. The majority of refurbishments will be directed at the East Wing, which contains over 200 rooms that haven’t been modernized since World War Two. A project this size would make for a fascinating Netflix documentary.

Location: Hyde Park, London
Year Renovated: 2020-
Est. Cost: $277 million*

When you’re a billionaire, silly things like property prices likely don’t phase you. Hong Kong tycoon Cheung Chung Kiu splashed $276 million on a mesmerizing 45-room mansion in London’s elite Hyde Park back in 2020. Neighbors were luckily stunned by the purchase – but that’s not all. 

Hyde Park Mansion ©Gareth E. Kegg/Wikimedia Commons | ©walter_g/Shutterstock.com

Not content with the allegedly dilapidated current state of the building, the new owner immediately made plans to renovate. Plans submitted to Westminster City Council indicate that the 62,000-square-foot property will be given a no-holds-barred facelift at a cost of $277 million. At the time of writing in 2022, this project has yet to be completed.

Location: NYC 
Year Renovated: 2016
Est. Cost: $5 million*

Emily Blunt and John Krasinksi may be one of the most beloved couples in Hollywood, but their talents don’t end there. The acting duo purchased a stunning townhouse in Brooklyn back in 2015 for a cool $6 million. While they didn’t do any big structural work, the couple spent a significant amount of time and money putting their own stamp on the place. 

Emily Blunt & John Krasinksi's NYC Townhouse @lovepropertyuk/@refinery29/Pinterest

To help bring their vision to life, the Sony actors enlisted the help of Michael Ingui of Baxt Ingui Architects. The result was a stunning, open space that looked bright and airy. Perhaps strangely, the stars sold the home in 2018 for $1.1 million less than what they originally asked for. 

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Year Renovated: 2005-2011
Est. Cost: $275 million*

When Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans, it caused an incredible amount of destruction. Not only were entire neighborhoods totaled, but businesses were damaged beyond repair. The Hyatt Regency Hotel was just one that was unable to reopen its doors. 

Hyatt Regency Hotel @thehuffpost/@hyattaustralia/Pinterest

It took six years and a whopping $275 million dollars for the renovation to be completed. Luckily, Hyatt had the ability to raise these funds, unlike some of the other impacted businesses in the area. The renovations included brand new hotel rooms, bigger conference facilities, and a much fancier reception area and lobby.

Location: South Yorkshire, England
Year Renovated: 2017-*
Est. Cost: $263 million*

England is home to many homes that once belonged to the aristocracy, including Wentworth Woodhouse in South Yorkshire. Set in a scenic location, the sprawling property was first built between 1724 and 1750 by the Marquesses of Rockingham. No expense was spared. Sadly, that attitude was not maintained – and neither was the house. 

Wentworth Woodhouse @lovepropertyuk/Pinterest | ©Andrewrabbott/Wikimedia Commons

After a sale and a stint as a training college, Wentworth Woodhouse was a shadow of its former self. By 2017, it was bought by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust for just $9.2 million. Renovations began in 2017, but as you can imagine, the project was neither cheap nor cheerful, requiring $273 million in funds and an enormous amount of work.

Location: Holland Park, London  
Year Renovated: 2019
Est. Cost: $8 million*

When pop star Victoria Beckham married soccer legend David Beckham in the ‘90s, few could have imagined they would still be reigning supreme in 2022. With a combined net worth of almost half a billion dollars, this couple can buy pretty much anything. In 2013, they purchased a house in London’s swanky Holland Park for just over $30 million. 

David Beckham's London Townhouse @dailymirror/Pinterest

A few years later, they set about renovating their family home, spending $8 million in the process. The former singer and her husband transformed the property, employing design legend Kelly Hoppen and then Rose Uniacke to help style the space.

Location: Milledgeville, Georgia 
Year Renovated: 2019
Est. Cost: $5 million*

If you stumbled across Rockwell House in Milledgeville, Georgia just a few short years ago, you would likely have shuddered and turned the other way. The decaying building was surrounded by overgrown shrubbery, making it look decidedly ominous. 

Rockwell House @lovepropertyuk/@stephyraquel/Pinterest

What was once a stunning home created by architect Joseph Lane had been left to rot. Luckily, in 2019, it was finally bought for a bargain price by investors who lovingly restored it from top to bottom. While the exact cost of renovations is unknown, it’s likely in the millions. After all, this has gone from a haunted house fit for a horror flick to a bonafide Disney dream.

Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Year Renovated: 2019
Est. Cost: $50,000-75,000*

This house may not be a 45-room mansion looking for a grand cash injection, but it certainly needed help. McDonald House was once a beautiful example of ‘60s design and a much-loved family home, but once its owner died it was left to rapidly decay. 

McDonald House @lovepropertyuk/Pinterest

The natural location only served to make matters worse, with the landscape almost engulfing the property. When two local investors found the house, the story took a positive turn. They were able to bring the two-bedroom home back to life, giving it a modern twist and restoring much of its once glorious features. Now, it looks like a futuristic marvel. After the renovation, the property was sold for $225,000.

Location: London 
Year Renovated: 2007-2010
Est. Cost: $350 million*

Businesses don’t like to shut their doors for any amount of time unless it’s absolutely necessary – or going to make them more money in the long run. Owners of The Savoy hotel in London went down the latter route, closing for three years in 2007 to undergo a transformative renovation that cost $350 million. 

The Savoy Hotel @sophia971922/@archdigest/Pinterest

Management enlisted the help of interior design genius Pierre-Yves Rochon to give The Savoy an image overhaul for the ages. The newly-refurbished decor paid homage to the Edwardian and Art Deco influences the hotel had always maintained but gave it a fresher twist. Take that Hilton.