We will often potter around and look at properties that cost a cool R40 million, but if you want to play with the big boys then Palazzo Steyn is where you need to start.

It’s probably South Africa’s most talked about property, so Top Billing must have been pretty stoked when owners Carolyn and Douw Steyn decided to give them the grand tour.

3 000 square metres, and valued at R250 million four years ago, here’s Business Tech with a few more insights:

Steyn, who made his name in insurance, is estimated to have a net worth of £900 million (R16 billion), making him one of the richest people in the country.

As part of his more recent projects, the insurance and property mogul is building an eco city just outside Fourways called Steyn City, which is a multi-billion rand mixed-use development project – also home to Steyn’s very own “palace”…

As implied by its name, the mansion takes most of its inspiration from classical Italian design, including the the bronze dome in the entrance hall, the marble floors, and many of the internal finishings. The mansion also features an aqueduct that almost completely circles the property, designed to look as if it has collapsed over a gorge.

Let’s hand over to Top Billing presenter Jonathan Boynton-Lee:

It’s a tough life, but someone has to live it.

[source:bustech]