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 5 of 5)

upurs Sep 5th 2010 11:30PM

i guess they weren't allowed on board...nice boat...creepy music..

Denverigor Sep 5th 2010 11:56PM

Talk about huge ego, this guy is off the charts. You could have a really nice 300 footer for only 200 mill. We know your rich dude, show some class.

Gary Sep 6th 2010 12:07AM

I would not take this odd looking yacht if you gave it to me and paid for the operating expenses for five years. Maybe the gold is worth something or maybe James Bond could have used it in the movies twenty years ago and then give to a non-profit to feed the poor. On second thought, I could apply to be that non-profit org.

NotJudgemental Sep 6th 2010 12:14AM

The ship docked in Morro Bay which is less than an hour from Hearst Castle.
Maybe he worked for his money. Why assume anything about a person you know nothing about? His businesses put people to work. It took many people to build the yacht. And don't forget, while he and his entourage are here they are spending some their money in California!
For those of you who think the castle is boring, don't go! Many people are interested in its beauty and architecture and the history of the Hearst family.
Sounds like there are a lot of folks out there who are just envious and waste their time judging others.
But then, maybe I am judging you.

Ken Sep 6th 2010 12:40AM

Nothing but pure decadence. An abomination. Self indulgence and decadence squared to the 10th power. And people think the Roman's and others in past history were decadent and out of control, which lead to their rapid decline? No past culture has anything on the current level of decadence in this world perpetuated by the perverted rich of these times.
And all people want to do is discuss the distance to Hearst Castle? How he got there? And the design attributes of this vessel? Shows the complete lack of awareness among the masses, where their vacant heads are, and the complete decline of culture.

Ken Sep 6th 2010 12:40AM

Perhaps more people should read. When the Soviet Union went so-called "capitalist" what in truth took place was like allowing the Mafia and the top level politicians to take control of and grab everything in sight. Read. Try reading something other than 200 word articles on the Internet. Read how the Russian economy is basically controlled by very few powerful men and the levels of crime involved. This money is not gotten by hard work and employing people. It is more likely acquired in Russia by criminal activities that pass for business - business as usual in Russia and other parts of the world. Put down the New Age manual and all the lies and brainwashing you've been fed. Wake up will you? And it appears people can't even read a complete 200 word Internet article - as it states many of the companies, and therefore the jobs, that worked on this abomination went bankrupt in meeting the demands of the deisgner and owner. Read the real history of the Soviet Union morphing into Russia. ignorance is not bliss. It's just ignorance.

Denise Sep 6th 2010 12:45AM

waste of money!

brenda Sep 6th 2010 1:31AM

It's nice to know that someone who has that much money chooses to waste it on a beast like that, instead of helping out the starving & oppressed people in the world.

Samuel Smith Sep 6th 2010 2:24AM

seem like the few always win. the many always get screwed.

Ripper Sep 6th 2010 2:35AM

rugzaggy
Sep 3rd 2010 7:50AM
It looks like the "Nautilus" from "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen". Full speed ahead Capn' Nemo.

I was going to say the same thing.....
But really I dont give a crap how much money anyone has, with the way this world is today I think it ludicrous to spend 300Mill on building that thing. The thing sounds like it was built for Mafia or Drug Lords with a major bullet proof cabin FFS.....LMAO

Laura Lynn Sep 6th 2010 3:32AM

Thing is Ugly! Looks like a submarine on steroids. I wonder what kind of drugs the architect was on when he designed it.

Phil Buck Owens Sep 6th 2010 4:36AM

I hate to say it, but if he tries running the two diesels on gasoline, he can blow up both engines.
He should have filled the FUEL TANKS with Diesel fuel ! ! ! ! !

Just an old time salt......................

Adam Sep 6th 2010 4:54AM

Finally Philippe Starck has convinced someone with obviously lack of personal taste to build this ugly monstrosity they call a yacht.
But being the typical Russian they are far more concerned at being noticed and working on their social status by flaunting their stolen wealth.

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