Can you classify a home that is 5,000 square feet to be a mansion? In my humble and professional opinion, no! The word "mansion" has been thrown around far too many times for comfort. When you think of your typical modern mansion, what comes to mind is a stately residence that is meticulously constructed and showcases exquisite craftsmanship from the outside in; its exterior alone casts a shadow of opulence and makes a bold statement.
You think of an interior with cascading chandeliers and drapes, floating bridal staircases, exotic stones and woods, and bespoke amenities. However, the historical building in Manhattan that houses a triplex, is your idea of a mansion. At the end of the day, it is all relative to one's perception what makes a mansion, a mansion. Someone who grew up in a modest rancher home in a rural area may look at a 5,000 square foot home as a mansion. On the other hand, someone who comes from the elite class will look at a 5,000 square foot home as nothing more than a modest guest house on their sprawling estate.
Webster's dictionary definition of a mansion is pretty simple, stating that a mansion is "a large and impressive house: the large house of a wealthy person." Most knowledgeable real estate and architectural design professionals would say that a mansion is a house that has at least 8,000 square feet of interior living space. It will feature luxury and bespoke amenities; formal living and dining rooms, family or great rooms, chef-inspired kitchens and catering kitchens, wet bars and wine cellars, billiard rooms, media rooms, and a garage that will accommodate at least three cars. Your outdoor features will include expansive terraces and/or patios and resort-like grounds that will include lush landscaping, swimming pool and a cabana.
When you talk about the wealthy purists who believe that real estate is king, a house that is less than 20,000 square feet is not even a true mansion; in fact at that size, we are now talking about the modern mega mansion! When you have a home that boasts 20,000 square feet or more, now your amenities lists is looking like a luxurious rap sheet. Now we are talking gated entrances, broad motor courts, porte-cocheres and porticos, rotundas, double floating staircases, elevators, two or three kitchens, game rooms, bowling alleys, state-of-the-art, stadium-style home theaters that can seat 14 to 24 guests, boutique-themed closets, wine cellars with tasting rooms, shooting ranges, well-equipped home gyms that will rival a 24-hour fitness facility. If you are an avid car collector, a mega mansion just may have a subterranean garage that can house 10 to 30 of your finest automobiles.
And lets talk about the grounds of a mega mansion. If you are working with some acreage, then you will more than likely see some formal gardens, waterfalls, koi ponds, fire pits, massive free form swimming pools with glistening spas and breathtaking fire features. You may even get a pool house and/or a guest house with living spaces. When you have deep pockets, you can afford to build and maintain the mega mansion of your dreams!
In conclusion, there is no clear definition or checklist for what makes a mansion, a mansion. As I mentioned earlier, a mansion to me is not 5,000 square feet BUT that is just my professional opinion and not a fact!
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