NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.
Construction on a $285 million Manalapan, FL, mansion that is being billed as "America's most expensive home" has officially been greenlit—five months after the monstrous new-construction dwelling was put on the market.
The 4-acre plot on which the opulent abode will be built sits alongside a $173 million property owned by billionaire Larry Ellison, and is just a stone's throw from the megamansions of several very prominent Manalapan residents, including Fox News host Sean Hannity and celebrity life coach Tony Robbins.
However, when completed, the residential development promises to smash the already-sky-high price point for properties in the tony Palm Beach enclave, while offering a level of luxury never before seen in this kind of private abode.
"We’re now bringing to life a vision that has never been attempted at this scale—an estate that blends architectural innovation, engineering precision, and resort-style living into one cohesive, record-breaking masterpiece," Robert W. Burrage, founder and CEO of RWB Construction Management, the company behind the creation of the mansion, said in a statement.
"This is more than construction; it’s the creation of an American landmark."
According to a spokesperson for the company, RWB has now officially received the city's architectural approval to begin "vertical construction" on the dwelling, which is set to span 54,570 square feet "across multiple structures," including a main residence, a beach house, a guesthouse, and a boathouse.
No expense is being spared on the design of the dwelling, which is being masterminded by Choeff Levy Fischman Architecture + Design; the property promises to offer a wide range of high-end amenities—from a private bowling alley and movie theater to a golf simulator and car museum.
"The residence exudes timeless elegance while incorporating modern functionality, with meticulously designed interiors and breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and intracoastal waterway from every vantage point," the home's description crows.
"Offered fully furnished, the estate includes a private car museum, a stunning boathouse, an exquisite guest house, an oceanside beach house, a state-of-the-art gym and spa, a movie theater, a golf simulation room, a bowling alley, a padel court, and a shooting range.
"The outdoor spaces offer a sanctuary of unparalleled beauty, highlighted by a 3, 700-square-foot infinity-edge pool overlooking the Intracoastal, cascading waterfalls, and tranquil lagoons that enhance the elevated landscaping."
Work on the dwelling is expected to take several years to complete; however, intricate renderings of the future property offer spectacular insight into the level of luxury that a future owner can expect to enjoy.
"Receiving architectural town approval marks a monumental milestone not just for this project, but for the future of ultra-luxury real estate in the United States," Burrage added in his statement.
If sold at its asking price, the under-construction dwelling will become one of the most expensive homes to ever be sold in the U.S., a record that is currently held by hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin and the $238 million Manhattan penthouse he purchased in 2019.
In February 2024, the longtime owners of an extraordinary compound in Naples, FL, attempted to steal the title—listing the property for a jaw-dropping $295 million; however, that price was reduced to $210 million in January 2025 and remains on the market for that sum to this day.
Then, in April, another Naples property made up of three separate estates earned the record for the most expensive home to ever be sold in Florida, after changing hands for a staggering $225 million in an off-market deal.
Although the sky-high price tag represented the Sunshine State's most expensive residential real estate transaction, the anonymous buyer actually managed to snag something of a discount, given that the properties were originally listed for the collective price of $295 million back in October 2024.
In the end, the central property in the trio of homes—which offers six bedrooms, 13.5 bathrooms, and 8,846 square feet—sold for $133.2 million, according to property records. Meanwhile, the other two—one is a five-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom dwelling—sold for $46.9 million and $44.9 million, respectively.
But while Naples may currently hold the record for Florida's most expensive home, Manalapan is quickly playing catch up.
The exclusive area has seen a huge investment from some of the world's wealthiest men and women in recent months, including Ellison, who has poured millions into transforming the community into the ultimate retreat for the 0.1%.
Ellison has been aggressively investing in real estate on the barrier island, which boasts a population of just 400 people, in recent years—both for commercial and personal use.
In August 2024, he spent an eye-watering $277 million to snag Manalapan’s largest structure and biggest local employer, the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, according to Bloomberg.
Since its opening four decades ago, the Manalapan resort has lost much of its shine, now appearing dated and worn, complete with old-fashioned decor and a carpeted restaurant.
At the time of its purchase last year, Ellison promised to refurbish the scruffy property, and he has already opened a Nobu restaurant pop-up at the site to draw fashionable new clientele.
It's not just the Oracle co-founder who has high hopes for Eau Palm Beach. Local developers anticipate that, once fully upgraded, the resort will become a major draw for wealthy investors, bringing even more capital to Manalapan.
"The hotel has the potential to be an extraordinary property in the town," Stewart Satter, a real estate developer who lives in Manalapan, told Bloomberg. "And Ellison certainly has a reputation for operating some beautiful resorts."
Meanwhile, Manalapan Mayor John Deese told Bloomberg he believes Ellison will transform Eau Palm Beach into a "top resort in the world."
Charlie Lankston is the executive editor at Realtor.com. She previously worked at DailyMail.com as the associate editor covering news, celebrities, travel, lifestyle, and the British royals. In 2019, she was part of the DailyMailTV team that won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment News Program. Charlie earned a B.A. in English literature and theatre studies from the University of Warwick and an M.A. in newspaper journalism from City University in London. Originally from London, she has been based in New York City for 10 years. (realtor.com)