Nobody. It’s owned by descendents of the Vanderbilts, but it’s open for touring, weddings, etc.
It’s been restored to the time that the family lived there, but not all the rooms are open for viewing. It’s quite a trek, too, to tour the entire mansion…and there’s no central air.
I’m glad we went. It’s a truly lovely estate.
I’m worried about his kids…are they growing up to be pampered, spoiled little brats, or is Daddy doing the smart thing and putting them to work in the mailroom?
I have a feeling the building is also an office. It wouldn’t surprise me if the entire headquarters of the company is eventually located in that building.
I must disagree - unless you have some evidence that Ambani’s companies have done more for society than Warren Buffett Or Bill Gates
They’re pretty rich, and their companies have created quite a bit of wealth, and they seem to have managed to do lots of good through philanthropy. They’ve done pretty well for themselves personally too, although Mr. Buffett seems content with a fairly simple life.
“Yet, for a man so flash with his wealth and with no obvious evidence of any philanthropy, Mr Ambani still professes concern for his fellow countrymen not able to build 27-storey towers or buy jets for their wives.”
I don’t think you’re saying what you think you’re saying.
Given that most philanthropists have already done the things you mention regarding the trickle-down wealth of the very rich, then someone similarly rich who chooses not to be a philanthropist has in fact not made “more of a positive difference to society” than an actual philanthropist.
shrug It’s his money, he can do as he likes with it. It’s always nice when the really-have-its decide to share the wealth with those who don’t, but there’s no actual requirement they do so. Personally, if I should ever hit the lottery, there are a few charities I have in mind to set up trust funds for, but for the most part the money would be mine (less the government’s cut) and the world can go whistle.
Y’know, I’m well enough off (middle class or so) that I can afford to help others, and I do, because I can and because I want the world to be a better place. But I do not owe that help, and I don’t understand why so many people seem to think that the wealthy are slime if they spend the money they earned on themselves and not charitably or philanthropically.
looks around for the asbestos longjohns, predicting a sudden need for 'em
I just had an issue with the thinking that “someone who runs major companies has given more to society than someone who runs major companies and then gives a huge pile of money to worthy causes”.
Yeah, I know. My grandmother grew up on the estate. I thought maybe someone had moved into the place, based on the post to which I responded. It was really only “lived in” for a very few years, even if you count the years that Lord Cecil lived there.
That residence is really just a front for a conference and business center - certainly not a private home as one would normally design. Nothing wrong with that - but it is somewhat of a misnomer to call it a “home”.
I have posted a link to this $7.5 billion dollar construction being built in Las Vegas - the most expensive, privately built construction in the history of the US.
It should be finished in a couple of years and the plans are to have a Cirque du Soleil show based on Elvis when it is finished. They also have their own fire department and I believe the entire building project will be certified “green”, in that they have their own water purifying plant and electrical generator, etc. etc.