Businessman who built $20 million White House replica on top of skyscraper may never get to live in it

The White House replica built by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya is one of the most bizarre homes on Earth.

It sits 400 feet above the streets of Bengaluru, India.

Perched on top of a skyscraper, it’s massive, flashy, and empty.

And it hasn’t been lived in for nearly a decade.

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Vijay Mallya, once known as the ‘King of Good Times‘, spared no expense in designing this sky-high palace.

Inspired by the US President’s famous home, he created his own version, albeit much higher up and with better views.

The mansion spans roughly 40,000 square feet, complete with a rooftop helipad, a swanky infinity pool, lush gardens, and luxury features that scream billionaire lifestyle.

Construction of the ‘White House in the Sky’ began in the early 2010s, topping off the Kingfisher Towers, which is named after Mallya’s now-defunct airline and beer brand.

By 2016, the White House replica project was nearly complete.

Before he could embark on more White House-themed projects, like making a replica of the floating White House yacht, his financial empire began to crumble.

That year, the Indian businessman fled to the United Kingdom, dodging a mountain of legal trouble.

He had allegedly defaulted on over $1 billion in loans and was even accused of fraud by Indian authorities.

Mallya claimed he was being unfairly targeted, but courts saw it differently. His assets were frozen, and extradition battles began.

The mega-mansion still remains technically unfinished.

Work paused when Mallya left India, and no one has stepped up to claim it or complete the job.

It’s become less of a house and more of a real estate myth. It’s one of the most expensive ‘what-ifs’ in modern architecture.

Meanwhile, Vijay Mallya is still living in the UK, and in April 2025, he lost yet another appeal, making his return to India more likely. Although he’s unlikely to be living in his crown jewel.

The White House replica continues to loom large over Bengaluru, empty and untouched, waiting for an owner who may never return.

It’s a mansion with everything, except a resident. And while it was meant to impress the world, today it mostly leaves people asking: ‘Why?’

Still, this could possibly be the world’s most dramatic Airbnb listing someday.

It may even be on par with a stay in the Ferrari Museum in Italy, or partying in the iconic Spice Girls bus.

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