Russian Billionaire's Philippe Starck - Designed Superyacht Startles San Diego

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed)
Sep 2nd 2010 at 6:01AM

It caused quite a kerfuffle when 38-year-old Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko's megayacht A (above), designed by Philippe Starck, weighed anchor off San Diego the other day while its owner drove off to check out Hearst Castle. The 390-ft. craft which resembles a sci-fi submarine cost over $300 million to build to the quirky designer's specs at Blohm + Voss, where Roman Abramovich's Eclipse was also constructed. With a crew of 35 (all outfitted in Starck-designed uniforms) to run it, the A's twin diesel's kick down 24,000 hp for a maximum speed of 24 knots, impressive for a ship this size. The interior features $40,000 bath faucets and $60,000 stair banisters.

The all-white, 2,583-sq.-ft. master suite wrapped in bulletproof, 44-milimeter glass is accessed by a silver-plated staircase with a fingerprint scanner at the door. Elsewhere Starck scattered Baccarat crystal tables, alligator skin and Kudu horn chairs, stingray skin upholstered walls and hand-stitched leather paneling. Some of the companies involved in constructing the unique sea beast went bankrupt due to the difficulties in executing Starck's design dictums. Filling the A's gas tanks alone costs $500,000 a pop and running costs come to about $20 million a year. Check out a video of the eye-popping yacht after the jump:

Tags: alligator, Andrey Melnichenko, Baccarat, Blohm + Voss, bulletproof, design, leather, megayacht, Philippe Starck, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaire, San Diego, silver, stingray, superyacht, yacht

Filed under: Decor, Yachts & Sailing, Wealth, Architecture & Design

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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)

travelertaylor Sep 3rd 2010 7:59AM

They learn fast in Russia. The new capitalists have learned to steal as much as the old capitalists in the United States.

Maxx Sep 3rd 2010 10:48AM

Looks like a high tech SPY platform, or maybe a sub!

Luke Sep 3rd 2010 8:33AM

I'm a traditionalist so of course in my opinion it is ugly. It does not have the beautiful graceful lines of an ocean going luxury ship. Looks cold and institutional, like a floating science lab.

ray Sep 3rd 2010 8:35AM

interesting boat, HORRIBLE video production. ugh.

Ray Sep 3rd 2010 8:52AM

Obama will be on vacation and cruising aboard this boat for the next few weeks

pkdc Sep 3rd 2010 9:00AM

It looks like a SUBMARINE!!! Rather funny looking. He has bullet proof glass iin the Master bedroom....he must be expecting some very jealous or mad people, maybe the bankrupt companies that tried to please him. Why did this guy feel the need to flaunt his mega yacht in the U.S.??? Stingray upholstered walls??? That's just yuck!!!!

Dschae1046 Sep 3rd 2010 9:09AM

Actually, it looks like a knockoff of the Zumwalt class destroyers under contruction by the US Navy.

Rich Sep 3rd 2010 9:31AM

Nice ship with some VERY CRUEL DECORATING TOUCHES!! ALLIGATOR SKIN, AND KUDU HORN CHAIRS, STINGRAY SKIN UPHOLSTERED WALLS.....SICKENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wgp516 Sep 3rd 2010 9:39AM

I know it's something like his 3rd or 4th giant yacht he has owned. He only keeps them each for a few years, so start saving now and it could be yours when he decides to sell it off.

On a side not, the styling is not really to my taste. I prefer a more traditional look, or perhaps a giant sailing yacht. Something about only hearing the sound of the wind (and not the motors) when out on the water...

Chase Sep 3rd 2010 9:50AM

UGH These Russian 'billionaires' will be GONE in a decade. Anyone from the 80's remember Adnan Khashogi? He so famously had that fancy 747 and where is he today? $300 million (plus) for a boat that looks about as fun & inviting as a HOSPITAL!?! Not too mentions the no doubt millions it will cost to operate this ugly-monstrosity. Reminds me of all those dumb-a$$ Americans who made $60K a year and bought 4,ooo sq ft homes they are now underwater for and want the American public to help them out. The Russian billionaires are JUST like the new-money wealthy of the American guilded-age, like the Vanderbilts and the Clark family. Trying to impress everyone w/their new money and buy their way into high-society.

andy Sep 3rd 2010 10:00AM

Another example of how money can't buy taste or class. Sad.

nherent Sep 3rd 2010 11:39AM

The design, while sexy, seems impractical for both offshore travel, and entertaining guests.

Coleman Sep 3rd 2010 10:24AM

It reminds me of the Nautilus craft that Capt. Nemo had in A League of Gentlemen. Its beautiful. I could have used the money to help those less fortunate though I think. But to each their own for sure. I hope it is enjoyed.

rick Sep 3rd 2010 12:06PM

Enough with 'THE LESS FORTUNATE"! He was one, untilthe fall of the russian/soviet bloc! What do you mean by less fortunate? ((% of the world is "less fortunate" than a billionaire!!! Should he buy a couple of poor millionaire senators and congressmen in this country to further his business interests!!?

John F.C. Taylor Sep 3rd 2010 10:25AM

What an ugly piece of crap. For that kind of money he probably could have gotten a really decent looking yacht instead of that ugly monstrosity.

mof Sep 3rd 2010 10:38AM

Do you really think he drove to see the Hearst Castle. Didn't you see the Helioport on the bow of the boat.......no doubt a jet turbine

CHASKAinTEXAS Sep 3rd 2010 10:50AM

Maybe it's not the castle he is there for or maybe he felt like flying after wards. With that kind of money who kows. All I want to say is what does he LOOK LIKE :) It's superficial for folks in CA but I'm a TXS filly ;) it's a totally different meaning ;)