The Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, is widely recognized in 2026 as the largest private residence in the world. Built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890, it covers approximately 3,315,000 square feet (308,000 square meters). To put its scale into perspective, it is nearly four times the size of Buckingham Palace. The palace remains the private home of the royal family of Vadodara (the Gaekwads). It is an architectural marvel of the Indo-Saracenic Revival style, featuring Italian mosaic floors, Belgian chandeliers, and an extensive collection of sculptures and armor. The grounds span over 500 acres and include a golf course and a cricket ground. While the Istana Nurul Iman in Brunei is the largest "royal palace" by floor space (over 2 million sq ft), it is a state residence for a functioning monarch. Lakshmi Vilas holds the title for a "private" residence because it is the family seat of a former ruling dynasty rather than an official government building. Its 170 rooms and massive facade make it a primary landmark of Indian heritage.