Roman Abramovich recently launched the 557-ft. Eclipse, the world’s largest and most expensive privately owned yacht at a cost of about $450 million.

Now renowned naval architect Donald Starkey is offering to top that feat with a 656-ft. behemoth called Everest (named after the world’s tallest peak).

Currently under construction in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Everest will be longer than two football fields

The designer’s thoughts were to design a yacht that would surpass ALL others.

There are accommodations for approximately 60 crew and 20 staff and operational staff (heli-pilots, security staff etc.) located on the forward lower decks.

Every suite will have private terraces.

There are large lounge areas and a dining room on the aft of the maind with an outside swimming pool and cinema arrangement.

Other entertaining facilities include a large gymnasium, well-being center, sauna and steam rooms.

The indoor cinema and a beach club have side folding platforms port and starboard and a large drive-in docking facility at the aft end for boats and a small submarine.

All the decks, including the sun deck are connected with a 5 deck high atrium with central staircase and 2 elevators .

The sun deck has a shaded dining area and sunning areas with a Jacuzzi tub.

Access via helicopter is possible on the topmost aft deck and also on the forward main deck which includes a platform lowering into a heli-hangar below and possibly 3 cars and associated landing craft.

And to guard against terrorists and Somali pirates, there’s even talk of equipping Gigayacht Everest with deck-launched torpedoes and SAMs: “Ship-to-Air Missiles”.

Price: $500 million

Via Justluxe – Liveyachting