Russian Billionaire Valery Kogan Outrages Greenwich, CT With Supermansion

Greenwich, CT is in an uproar over a mysterious Russian billionaire's proposal to buy an $18 million home, tear it down, and build what would be the biggest home ever built in the tony Connecticut enclave - a 27,000 square foot supermansion. The billionaire in question is reportedly Valery Kogan, who has ties to Vladimir Putin.

The Connecticut property is the latest in a buying spree. Just last month he finished purchasing a huge beachfront lot in Israel, combining 5 neighboring properties, for about $17 million (scroll down for more). He'll be tearing down existing homes there, too.

The expansive plans for the new Connecticut home include 26 bathrooms, a billiards room, game room, Turkish bath, Finnish bath, a wine cellar and a dog grooming room.

Watch a detailed report on the Greenwich home:

Last month Kogan bought five lots in Israel for another home:

Valery Kogan was entirely unknown in Israel up until a month ago, when he drove the local business and real-estate world crazy by purchasing five lots in Caesarea, a total of 11.5 dunams, for $17 million, on which to build an estate. Amid the media circus, it was reported that the Jewish businessman is connected to the secret services in Russia, and that he is close to former president Vladimir Putin. Some imagined Putin coming to visit his close friend and the two of them walking along the beach in Caesarea.

The aura of mystery increased when news came of the impressive rise in Kogan's wealth, at least according to the Russian magazine Finans. In 2007 it showed him in 499th place on the list of the richest people in Russia, worth $90 million. A year later he skipped up to 157th place with $600 million.

The only thing that is known for certain is that Kogan is connected to East Line, which operates Domodedovo International Airport, the largest airport in Russia, with 13-14 million people passing through each year.

Beyond that, little is known of Kogan.

Comments

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Per a commenter below, indeed, now would be a hilarious time to remind CT Repukes about trickle down economics.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

This guy made his fortune running an airport?

Fine, maybe he can straighten out JFK, LGA and EWR.

[urbanscorpio88]

This is only the beginning, I live in London where prices quadrupled as soon as Abramovich and co moved there. There was a time when someone who worked in the Financial District in London could put £15 million pounds on the table and get a house in London. Now £15 million is not enough especially if penthouses are costing up to £70 million pounds in the City. If you think, the Russian invasion has just begun, brace yourselves for the Chinese, because when they move in, we'll be lucky if wwe can afford a studio apartment.....

[VivaZapata]

wasn't it jefferson who spoke of the need for revolution whenever government became oppressive? well? are you oppressed enough yet? if not, a few more months ought to do it.

[VivaZapata]

Rhythms of Revolution (part one)
By Phil Ochs

In a building of gold, with riches untold,
lived the families on which the country was founded.
And the merchants of style, with their red velvet smiles,
were there, for they also were hounded.
And the soft middle class crowded in to the last,
for the building was fully surrounded.
And the noise outside was the rhythms of revolution.

Sadly they stared and sank in their chairs
and searched for a comforting notion.
And the rich silver walls looked ready to fall
As they shook in doubtful devotion.
The ice cubes would clink as they freshened their drinks,
wet their minds in bitter emotion.
And they talked about the rhythms of revolution.

We were hardly aware of the hardships they beared,
for our time was taken with treasure.
Oh, life was a game, and work was a shame,
And pain was prevented by pleasure.
The world, cold and grey, was so far away
In the distance only money could measure.
But their thoughts were broken by the rhythms of revolution.

The clouds filled the room in darkening doom
as the crooked smoke rings were rising.
How long will it take, how can we escape
Someone asks, but no one's advising.
And the quivering floor responds to the roar,
In a shake no longer surprising.
As closer and closer comes the rhythms of revolution.

[VivaZapata]

Rhythms of Revolution (Part Two)

Softly they moan, please leave us alone
As back and forth they are pacing.
And they cover their ears and try not to hear
With pillows of silk they're embracing.
And the crackling crowd is laughing out loud,
peeking in at the target they're chasing.
Now trembling inside the rhythms of revolution.

With compromise sway we give in half way
When we saw that rebellion was growing.
Now everything's lost as they kneel by the cross
Where the blood of christ is still flowing.
To late for their sorrow they've reached their tomorrow
and reaped the seed they were sowing.
Now harvested by the rhythms of revolution.

In tattered tuxedos they faced the new heroes
and crawled about in confusion.
And they sheepishly grinned for their memoroes were dim
of the decades of dark execution.
Hollow hands were raised; they stood there amazed
in the shattering of their illusions.
As the windows were smashed by the rhythms of revolution.

Down on our knees we're begging you please,
We're sorry for the way you were driven.
There's no need to taunt just take what you want,
and we'll make amends, if we're living.
But away from the grounds the flames told the town
that only the dead are forgiven.
As they crumbled inside the rhythms of revolution

[JScott]

That's not a super mansion-it's palace or castle.

Jeez why doesn't he just buy his own island/country/planet.

[gala1]

After checking out the photos, I think he should just toss in a few slots and blackjack tables and call it Moscow, Moscow.

Then he should marry Ivanka Trump and let karma run full circle.

gala

[ThePhilosopher]

It really disgusts me that anyone can be worth this much money in a world where more than a billion people live on less than a dollar a day...

[RSU]

This is just more proof that America is the greatest place on Earth. Where else could one build such a lavish home to live in, secure in the knowlege that the countrymen won't run you out on a rail just for being wealthy.

I say good for him. I hope he hires lots of Americans to build his new home with American manufactured wood and products.

Heck, the property taxes alone should make CT smile.

[WorkingClass]

The millionaires most be patient. In time, the billionaires will trickle down on them.

[robinhood1]

I wonder how many French chateaux were burned down during the French revolution? If I were a rich Russian Jew, I wouldn't go flaunting my money around and stirring up all the WASPs of Greenwich.

[nogimmicks]

26 bathrooms! These people are full of s*** !

It would make a great orphanage or a hospital for the uninsured.

[SILVANUS]

I think it's hilarious. CT snobs - and face it, there are a few, now have a wonderful reflection of their own egos and "specialness" blown up to super-size, out-American-ed by a Russian.
Karma, babes!

[kozmik]

lol, no kidding. Karma indeed.

I hope he drives through their neighborhood a four lane wide SUV that gets 50 gallons to the mile, while video conferencing, drinking a superheated mug of sweatshop children's blood, petting a purebred rabid German Shepard in his lap, and blaring WSJ editorials at ear bleed decibels.

[tbone99]

America made this guy possible. Whats your complaint - isn't this what you wanted - unfettered capitalism?

[liberalissima]

to tbone99 and everyone else: you took the words out of my mouth. So much complaining about the excesses of the super rich and most Americans are willing to die to defend them. What's a billionaire supposed to do with his super fortune if not self indulge? Want to get rid of the vulgar rich? Get rid of unfettered Capitalism and stop complaining.

[ornery]

Wretched excess.

Almost as big as Bill Gates' house.

[Dandy12]

What a pig! He must definitely have "too much for his own good". Does he need his own personal Versailles in New England? This is the type of idiot to build his own Taj Majal!

[drjasonmd]

Yes, and the word is still disgusted by the Taj Mahal!