The Odyssey of Ulyssia: Homes designed for the High Seas

Why Ulyssia? The name of this new superyacht references the epic Homeric poem of ancient times, a story of mythical travel around the globe by Ulysses, the Roman name of the Greek figure Odysseus, the hero of Homer's The Odyssey.

Centuries later and a new epic begins – as Ulyssia, the most expensive, and arguably the most beautiful vessel ever built, begins perpetually circumventing the earth. But this is more than a cruiser for hire, this will be the residence of 133 elite home owners. Ulyssia is a residential ship.

This epitome of maritime elegance is the concept (soon to be a reality) of CEO, and Swiss billionaire, Jack Binder. A lifelong yachting enthusiast, and a man familiar with the only other residential ship, The World (launched in 2002) Binder has not come to the project blind to the mammoth issues.

Yachting is synonymous with wealth and luxury, and there have been some superb vessels over the years (Steven Spielberg’s Seven Seas is striking, and the Aquarius featured in Knives Out Glass Onion, and the star of the 2024 Monaco boat show, Kismet) but what Binder has brought to the table is a state of the art design, demanding a completely new typography. The buyers (who will be purchasing a 50-year lease) are not the sort to be easily impressed, and with a starting price of $16mAUD, every aspect has to be bigger, better, best and beautiful.

The 133 residences come in range of sizes from one bedroom to six bedroom designs, all with ever changing sea views from their private terraces, crowned of course by penthouse residences atop the 15-deck, 320-metre vessel. The prices are breathtaking, with a range $16m to $160m.

What is evident in yacht design is that the concept of superyachts knows few earthly bounds; compared to terra firma where councils, governments and neighbours can frustrate design, here the imagination, and no doubt the budget are the only constraints. From sleek to battleship to extra-terrestrial, superyacht design is fantastical.

Bender has put together an experienced team including lead interior designer Francesca Muzio of FM Architettura, and superyacht designer and naval architect Espen Øino from the Monaco Based Espen Oino International, who’s former designs include Rev.

“It was a challenge to design a vessel of this size and to still make sure that it feels intimate. We've been through a lot of iterations in the design process. I'm very happy with what we've come up with,” says Øino. “The vision came from Frank, and it’s down to the team he has assembled, including myself and my own team, to together define exactly what we're setting out to do. That's very important in a project such as this one, because it is a huge and very complex vessel.”

Very complex equals very expensive – the budget for this 133-suite floating village is over $2billion dollars.

From an architectural point of view, when considering Ulyssia, one has to shift one’s mind-set to a new perspective – this is not about designing staterooms, this is not about a tower of condos, this is about designing a village that has to function independently, alone at sea, a great portion of the time.

Inclusions in design have been exhaustive and not limited to a medical centre complete with an MRI, seven restaurants, a grocer, not one but two helicopter pads, a theatre, bars, swimming pools and oh yes – staff accommodation for a small army, or, well, navy of support crew.

If the renderings are a guide, Øino and his associates have climbed this mountain of design issues without faltering.

“Despite the variety of the residences, they all have some common elements. Notably, they all have balconies, allowing for inside-outside living. Most people when they're at sea, weather permitting, they prefer to be outside,’ explains Øino. And yet through careful design the balconies are all private affairs. From the water, you will be able to see that there are verandas, but you won’t be able to see into them. Nor will the scale of the boat be obvious – after all, the idea is to be sleek and sexy, not flashy.

“You may notice you tend to overlook every second deck because alternate pairs of decks are painted dark. That was on purpose. At a distance, this makes you think that Ulyssia is smaller than she is,” adds Øino.

By way of appreciating the scale here, Ulyssia, at 99,600 gross tons, will be larger than the World War II battleship Missouri.

Frank Binder, a man of immense corporate talent, rightly recognises the project compares to that of floating real estate, but has high hopes of elevating everything about that real estate to the pinnacle of the ideal lifestyle, while also observing the chance here to be responsible in its opulence.  The vessel has considered as much as possible the ability of the ship to operate in a sustainable pattern.

“With regard to sustainability, it is our aim to be as responsible as we can, using the latest technologies. It's a dual fuel system, based on green methanol with electric propulsion. This is something that is a must today,” says naval architect Øino. “Additionally, the processing of food and garbage is all fully integrated to comply with new rules that have come into force. I'm very proud of being part of the project. It is by far the biggest and most complex project we've ever been involved with.”

It is perhaps a sad reflection on life as we know it, but one has to imagine a vessel of such size and grace, filled with people of immense wealth may prove itself to be a floating target. But that too has been addressed with former special forces personnel reportedly staying on board and a partnership with an international, specialist yachting security firm.

So, the scene is set, and buyers are making their moves – including from Australia. Interest in Ulyssia from the Australian market has been strong. Reservations on several residences are in the process of being confirmed, with more expected. Australians have long been enthusiastic supporters of this lifestyle, making up the second-largest group of owners on The World after Americans.

Ulyssia will circumvent the globe every two and a half years, at any one point it is believed 200 guests will be aboard, enjoying a lifestyle never before contemplated for a sea going vessel.

Whereas Homer’s, The Odyssey was mythical, Ulyssia will be a contemporary dream come true, expected to be in the water in 2028.

Images: Supplied