This is “Ile Olori Omoba” of Ijebuland, the magnificent residence of the late Otunba (Dr) Michael Olasubomi Balogun, CON, the Otunba Tunwase of Ijebuland.
The house is located on Milverton Road, facing the Glover Roundabout Ikoyi, Lagos.
It was designed by Nigeria’s foremost architectural firm, Fola Alade Associates.
Fola Alade Associates designed the National Stadium, Surulere; 1004 Flats, Victoria Island; and Federal Secretariat Building; Ikoyi, Lagos, among others.
The magnificent “Ile Olori Omoba” residence of Otunba Subomi Balogun was constructed by Cappa d’Alberto Plc.
The house was inspired by the Pennsylvania Avenue’s White House.
It was described as “Otunba’s Jewel” with it’s crystal coated Grecian Porticos & Colonnaded Porches.
Some part of the house is cladded in white Calacatta Carra.
Calacatta are a brand of Italian marbles, the finest and most expensive, worldwide.
The rest of the house was painted by Farrow & Ball UK, Farrow & Ball, makers of the world’s most expensive paints.
Otunba Subomi Balogun flew them to Nigeria with their paints to clad the walls.
The interior was finished with liquid hold by African Blackwood & Rosewood.
It was furnished by Boca do Lobo, Fendi Home & Henredon.
It sits on an acre of land, that is, six standard plots.
A plot of land around that part of Ikoyi goes for upwards of N500m per plot.
The interior finishing cost him $3.7m while the building cost $3.5m at the time of construction.
Otunba Subomi Balogun was a lover of the good life as he lived in splendour and majesty.
He had a grandiose taste and everything about him speaks it.
From his mansions in the choicest locations around the world and top of the range luxury vehicles.
His skyscraper office on Marina, Lagos and Ijebu-Ode country home are magnificent edifices to behold.
He was reputed to have 11 custom-built Rolls Royce parked in his houses and offices around Nigeria.
He was also said to have, at least, one Rolls Royce parked in his homes around the world.
He was listed by Forbes as one of the richest Nigerians with a fortune in the excess of $5billion.
Otunba Subomi Balogun, the flamboyant czar of the banking industry, died in London, last Friday, aged 89.
