His airline has hit turbulence; its low-cost operations are already grounded. But billionaire Vijay Mallya is flying high and will move into a sky mansion being named after his eponymous airline and beer brand. Kingfisher Towers will be built at the exact spot where his family home stood,on the Vittal Mallya Road named for his father. Mallyas home will be a two-level,luxurious mansion sitting atop a one-acre tray perched at the very top of the 33rd floor. Mallya,55,with a personal wealth well over $1 billion and ranked amongst Indias richest by Forbes magazine,is known to be unapologetic about his extravagant lifestyle. He owns islands,homes in several cities across the globe,an African game sanctuary,a yacht,an aircraft fitted to his personal specifications and an envy-worthy antique car collection. His new home will have features such as an infinity pool on the top floor,a helipad and a wine cellar. The family house has already been razed and excavation is under way,while Mallya makes do in a fully-fitted apartment next door. His two-floor home will have ceilings that are 9.5 metres high and be outfitted with the latest gizmos. The location,look and size of Mallyas home will be of a standard that has not been seen before, said Irfan Razack,chairman of Prestige Estates Projects,a Bangalore-based real estate developer co-developing the property. While Mallya will be at the summit of the towers,below him will be 72 apartments of 8,300-sq feet each. Many of these have already been snapped up by Bangalores rich and by companies despite the hefty price tag of Rs 20 crore each. Each of these will have separate lifts for the staff,and the building itself will have generous landscaped green space despite being in the heart of Bangalore. Kingfisher Towers will be the it address in Bangalore for those amongst the wealthy who prefer to live the apartment lifestyle. The towers will have five floors of parking,some housing Mallyas vintage collection of luxury cars. An upmarket shopping mall,office towers and Mallyas own United Breweries headquarters form part of UB City next door. A JW Marriott hotel is to open soon in the adjoining patch. All of these developments are on the land where his fathers brewery,his corporate office and family home stood. Mallyas mansion will likely be ready for moving in by 2014 and will have a grand entrance from the Vittal Mallya Road and private lifts going straight to his floors. Other residents of Kingfisher Tower will use an entry from the Kasturba Gandhi Road behind.
