The ego of a billionaire cannot truly be satisfied unless the properties he takes pride in also include at least one yacht. And if the yacht is part of top three biggest yachts in the world, all for the better. But this top is about to change together with the presentation of the newest concept for such a vessel.
1. PROJECT 100
ONLY FOR THE RICHEST OF THE RICH
Project 100, created by a team of Belgian designers, will not only be the biggest, but also the most luxurious and most extravagant yacht in the world, worthy of a king’s collection. Although it will be launched to water five years from now, the world’s billionaires are keeping an eye on the manufacturers, standing ready to withdraw from their accounts a sum ranging between 640 million and one billion dollars, depending on the features chosen, for this naval jewel. “When you are used to living in a palace, surrounded by dozens of servants, you don’t want to embark on a cruise on board a small yacht” says Berkeley March, the architect who designed the yacht. As such, March is not afraid the vessel will not sell. “The recession has not changed wealthy people’s impression that size does matter and, with or without the economic crisis, the ego is the one that dictates” he believes. The yacht designed by the Emocean Company will span a length of 200 meters, as much as two football fields put together. It will allow fitting a garage, two 30meter pleasure boats, a heliport and a hangar for the helicopter. If the owner desires so, the vessel allows fitting a 30-meter long pool, a night club, a casino and a game room, a two-level cinema, three open-air clubs and a fitness center, 10 VIP rooms, 22 guest rooms and a separate deck for the owner. And all these can be fitted with golden furniture and interiors. The vessel can accommodate 45 passengers and 70 crew members.
2. ECLIPSE
When ready, the yacht will exceed the Eclipse vessel, owned by the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the current holder of the title of world’s biggest yacht, with a length of nearly 170 meters. The vessel cost in excess of 350 million Euros and is now estimated at more than 1.2 billion. What truly makes this yacht special is the missile detection system, military type, and a small
A FLOATING BUNKER submarine. It also features two landing pads for helicopters, a spa and an open air pool. Roman Abramovich, the owner of the floating jewel, ordered a special protection system. All windows to his apartment are bulletproof and the walls are reinforced like an anti-atomic bunker. But because after all, the yacht is no military base, the Russian billionaire bought 35 items of contemporary art to decorate it, works for which specialists speculate he paid several dozen million Euros. Eclipse includes six guest rooms, five for VIPs and a cabin destined to Abramovich himself, with garden and a grand piano. All rooms are fitted with dedicated bathroom and balcony. Furthermore, the yacht includes a mini-theater and a cinema hall, a party hall, three dining halls, a club, an aquarium, pool, a fitness center, sauna and minispa. The temperature and humidity are controlled for the wine store room. Moreover, there are two kitchens and rooms that can accommodate up to 100 crew members, as well as a mini-hospital for Abramovich’s medical team. Abramovich’s yacht weighs 13,000 tons, the engine produces an output of 20,000 horse-power, and the construction took 4 years.
3. DUBAI
THE YACHT OF WATER SPORTS
The last position of the podium is occupied by a yacht owned by the Mayor of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The vessel, bearing the name of the city run by the mayor, measures 162 meters in length and cost 300 million dollars. The attention for details in decorations seems to have come before the size of the yacht. Thus, beside the three elevators that guests can use to reach the various decks of the vessel, glass stairs were fitted to lead to the VIP apartments and restaurants located in open-air or inside. Here guests can also find several pools, beach areas and a basin for water sports. Most spaces are protected and air conditioning is operating at full capacity. And because the owner is keen on water sports, the vessel features all sorts of accessories required for diving. In addition to all these there are also submarines, superjets, air-inflated boats or motor boats.
ARTE VIZUALE/MEDIA
