Streets of Monaco: £700 million 'yacht-island' monster
If you're so rich that the Streets of Monaco 'yacht island' concept doesn't completely repel you, then give us all a laugh, and order one immediately!
January 27, 2014
If you’ve become bored by money or taste (or both) – or you’ve simply grown tired of the constant hassle involved in spending a fortune on lots of crap, you might be interested to know that you can save a lot of time and effort by buying a single, epic, all-encompassing lump of crap in one go.

A 508ft "yacht island" concept based on a vast catamaran featuring miniature replicas of some of Monaco's most famous tourist attractions.
Named ‘Streets of Monaco’, this 508-foot ‘yacht island’ concept takes a collection of the principality’s most iconic features, perches them on a vast catamaran and powers them along (at speeds of up to 15 knots) by means of a diesel-electric set-up. Particular ‘highlights’ from the extensive features list include a replica of the famous Grand Prix circuit (which operates as a fully functioning kart track), an ‘Oasis’ complete with waterfall (based on the Casino gardens) and “numerous shrub-lined pathways”. You also get a spa, a cinema, a casino, a dance hall, a wine cellar, a library, a café bar and a fully equipped gym with ocean views.
Company Director Rob McPherson explains the thinking behind the project: “The design theme called for a unique yacht that reflected the style and sophistication of the principality. We want to create a truly unique environment that could take Monaco to the ocean.” Well by designing the most expensive and ostentatious boat in the world, he’s certainly fulfilled that brief - and I have no doubt that a craft like this would win its billionaire owner some serious international renown. But I still don’t know why you would impose so fatuous a challenge on yourself in the first place – far less use words like “style” and “sophistication” in your bid to define its results.
Make no mistake - I definitely want someone to build this craft because it would be side-splittingly funny. But as for the idea that someone might actually buy it? That’s surely taking things beyond a joke...