Mukesh Ambani's 4.6 Billion US Dollars 'Antilia' Was Built Over An Orphanage, Managed By Waqf Board

Mukesh Ambani's 27-floor home in Mumbai, 'Antilia' is one of the most expensive and elaborate homes in the world. The house stands as a testament to the stature of the Ambani family. Built by two of the most prominent names in the architectural and construction world, Perkins&Will and Leighton Asia, the estate is the perfect home. The house was built to perfection, with all the amenities one could dream of, and Mukesh Ambani made sure the home accommodated all the luxuries and comforts of his family.

The Ambanis are the wealthiest family in India, with Mukesh Ambani being ranked first on the Forbes list of India's 100 Richest Tycoons with a net worth of a jaw-dropping US dollars 9430 crores according to Forbes 2025, and their house does complete justice to their stature in society. The stunning home is valued at approx 4.6 billion US dollars and is one of the most expensive residential properties. However, did you know that 'Antilia' was not the first construction done on the land? You heard that right! So, let's dive into the history of the foundation of the land that is now the home to the richest man in the country.

The land on which 'Antilia' is built was meant for a charitable cause

According to the statement by AIMIM leader, Asaduddin Owaisi, the land on which Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani's house, 'Antilia', was built was originally meant for charitable use only. The revelation reignited a debate regarding the rightful ownership of the land. So, let's take a look at the history of the land. According to the reports, the land was donated by an extremely wealthy person named, Kareem Bhai Ibrahim to a trust.

According to the reports, the land originally housed an orphanage called 'Currimbhoy Ebrahim Khoja Yateemkhana'. This orphanage was owned by Kareem Bhai, a wealthy shipowner, in 1895. However, the land, including the orphanage, was donated to a charity run by the Waqf board in 1986. The claims are that this land was donated for the purpose of religious education and housing orphans only. So, how come the land was sold to Mukesh Ambani?

The Waqf board's request and the purchase by Mukesh Ambani

It was in 2002 that the trust, run by the Waqf board, reached out to the charity commissioner and sought permission to sell the land. The board got permission three months later. The charity sold the land to a commercial private company managed by Mukesh Ambani for a grand total of 2.5 million US dollars. According to reports, the land was allocated for the sole purpose of building an educational institution for underprivileged Khoja children. Mukesh's firm, which handled this land, was called, 'Antilia Commercial Private Limited.' The land was allegedly worth 18 million US dollars.

However, it was sold at a price lower than the market value. A sale like this was in direct contravention of Section 51 of the Waqf Act, which made it necessary for the involved parties to get the approval of the Maharastra State Board of Waqfs. Still, the Waqf minister, Nawab Malik and the Government of Maharastra opposed the sale, leading to a stay order being issued for the land. While the Waqf board initially opposed the deal and even filed a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the decision by the trust, the court dismissed their plea. The stay order on the deal was soon vacated, and the board even withdrew their objection. 

The new Waqf Act 2025

After the plea was dismissed, Mukesh Ambani got the necessary approvals and started the construction of 'Antilia' in 2003. The BMC approved the plan to build this building, and construction began in 2006. However, years later, a new bill was passed with President Droupadi Murmu's approval. The Waqf Amendment Bill brought back the long-buried hurdle in the sale of the land. The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 abolishes the Section 40 of the Waqf Act which allowed the board to unilaterally declare properties as Waqf land.

While an Action Taken Report (ATR) presented in the Maharastra Assembly cited that the land under the Waqf board was not meant for private sale, a report by Dainik Bhaskar further suggested that the legal process was not followed properly during the transaction. The matter has been pending in the Supreme Court for years, but the latest addition to the Waqf Act has led legal experts to believe that it could prove to be a hassle in the ownership of the land. 

More about Mukesh Ambani's luxurious residence, 'Antilia'

Antilia is one of the most expensive private residences on the planet. The construction of the magnificent home started in 2008 and took two years to complete. The Ambani family moved into the 27-story building in 2010 and have been living there since. Antilia offers a unique design and stands tall at a height of 568 feet. Its construction covers 4 lakh square feet and costs approx  Rs. 15,000 crore. The Ambanis named their happy home after the phantom island in the Atlantic Ocean, Antilia. The design of the Ambani home is not just an aesthetic sight but also makes the structure extremely resilient to an earthquake of up to a magnitude of 8.0.

What are your thoughts on Waqf board and it's link with Mukesh Ambani's 'Antilia'?

Next Read: Meet The Creators Of Mukesh Ambani And Nita Ambani's Rs. 15000 Crore Lavish Mumbai Home, 'Antilia'

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