Antilia, the luxury skyscraper in Mumbai, is home to the Ambani family. Business tycoon Mukesh Ambani resides with his wife, Nita, and sons, Anant and Akash, along with their daughters-in-law, Shloka and Radhika, and grandchildren, on the 27th floor of the residential property that spans 400,000 square feet and stands 570 feet tall.
Named after the mythical island ‘Ante-llah’ that is believed to have been discovered in the 15th century, the building is designed with nature as its central theme, featuring motifs of the sun and the lotus made of precious stones, marble, and mother-of-pearl.
The property reportedly includes 49 bedrooms, 168 parking spaces, a ballroom, a 50-seat theater, hanging gardens, swimming pools, a health center, a spa, a temple, and even a snow room! But despite 26 fully functioning floors, the Ambani family chose to live on the 27th — but why?
In a conversation with Times Now last year, Nita revealed that their decision to live on the topmost floor stems from the simple need to be at peace and away from the din and noise of Mumbai roads. “It’s all about sunlight, fresh air and calm above Mumbai’s chaos,” she said, adding that she wanted “natural sunlight and proper ventilation in every room where the family lives”.
“Mumbai may be known for its heat and humidity, but up in the clouds, you get that rare combination of cool breeze, view of the Arabian Sea, and a sense of calm above the chaos,” said the matriarch. Adding to the exclusivity of the space, she shared that “only a close group of people” are allowed in their cocooned bubble of the 27th floor atop the city.
The Ambanis live on the 27th floor of Antilia (Source: Instagram/@antiliahouse)
Curious, we consulted health experts to understand how living at such an elevation could impact one’s health in the long term.
“While each person’s health decides the optimal height for living, floors above the 30th can begin to show noticeable variations in oxygen and air quality,” said Dr Manoj Pawar, Consultant – Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune.
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“Living at high altitudes leads to decreased oxygen levels due to thinner air, which can negatively affect health, particularly for those who are already sensitive. Prolonged exposure to low oxygen levels can cause chronic hypoxia, leading to issues like elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rates, and breathing difficulties, particularly at night,” he added.
What’s the ideal height to live on?
“If you are above 8,000 feet, then it can indeed pose risk due to reduced oxygen, and this can cause significant health issues and symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and most commonly headache, and sometimes long-term exposure may impact cognitive function,” said Dr Sulaiman Ladhani, chest physician and consultant pulmonologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central.
However, he noted that such apartments are equipped with sophisticated ventilation systems to regulate air quality. Therefore, any issues individuals face in high-rise apartments are likely due to their personal health conditions and tolerance to altitude variations.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
