First Look Ever Inside 'Lady Lara' Megayacht Comes As Billionaire Owner Is Looking To Sell

Lady Lara, one of the most secretive superyachts in the world and also among the most expensive, is a good example of that. The megayacht, one of the biggest launches of the year 2015 and an iconic Lurssen build, has been kept a secret all these years, but the world is allowed a look at it now that it's been listed for sale.

When it comes to custom luxury vessels, there's really no one that does it better than German shipyard Lurssen. Lady Lara, a classically-styled, very elegant 91-meter (298-foot) megayacht delivered to the original owner in 2015, has made headlines before, as it checked important milestones in the build process. It also made headlines as it reaped awards and accolades, but despite the attention, it never gave away its interiors.

With an original reported value of $180 million and an owner famed for his discretion, it's no wonder. Lurssen built Lady Lara (internally codenamed Project Orchid) as a replacement for the smaller, Benetti-built Lady Lara of the same owner, with a focus on entertainment. The brief asked for a feminine-looking vessel that wouldn't slack on performance and luxury amenities, and Lurssen delivered just that.

As for the owner, it's Alexander Antonovich Mashkevich, an Israeli-Kazakh billionaire who founded the Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. after the fall of the Soviet Union. The most recent Forbes estimate has his net worth at $2.5 billion.

Mashkevich has owned Lady Lara all these years, not once offering it for charter and not once letting members of the press set foot onboard. When they say privacy is paramount in the yachting industry, they might as well be referring to Mashkevich.

This year at the Monaco Yacht Show, which takes place between September 27 and 30, will mark the first time that Lady Lara is available for viewing. That's because it’s been listed for sale for the first time since delivery. The listing is held jointly by Y.Co and Merle Wood & Associates, with an asking of €230 million or $245.5 million – $245,469,749, to be more exact.

Lady Lara features design work by Reymond Langton Design, both inside and out, over a Lurssen naval architecture with a steel hull and teak decks. It boasts an ample interior volume of 2,945 GT and offers accommodation for as many as 18 guests (though only for 16 on a regular basis) and a crew of 29.

As a bit of contrast to the elegant, classically-styled exterior, the interiors are luxurious to the point of opulent, though they stop short of treading into tacky territory.

Most common areas, like the lounges by either of the pools or inner socializing spaces, are done entirely in shades of soft beiges and whites but with super-glamorous touches that add a note of decadence. A diamond-shaped stool here, a piece of wall art in Mediterranean blue mosaic there, lush carpeting, gold trimming in the bathroom, and oversize crystal chandeliers turn spaces into outrageous visual statements that bespeak the opulent character of this private vessel.

Amenities are equally fancy – and numerous. Highlights include the two pools, one of which converts into a dancefloor when you press a button and the bottom comes up to close it off, while the other features a swim-up bar and a custom audio system. A statement glass elevator connects the decks.

Also noteworthy are a large beach club, a treatment center that includes a beauty salon, gym, sauna, hammam, and massage room, a private cinema, folding balconies, and two formal dining rooms, one indoor and one outside. A touch-and-go helipad is there to ensure fast transfer of guests.

The owner's suite sits on its own private deck and includes a private terrace, his and hers bathrooms and dressing rooms, and a library slash office. When you have so much real estate on a boat, you might as well make the most of it and not have to dress in the same room as your significant other.

Lady Lara is powered by twin MTU diesel engines delivering 3,004 hp engines each and taking it to a top speed of 17 knots (19.5 mph/31.5 kph). At a cruising speed of 12 knots (13.8 mph/22.2 kph), range is 6,000 nautical miles (6,905 miles/11,112 km).

Earlier this year, Lady Lara completed a €15 million ($16 million at the current exchange rate) extensive refit that included a fresh paintjob, new carpets throughout, and "myriad technical upgrades," according to one trade publication. The matching tenders have also received some touch-ups during the refit.

This megayacht is, in other words, ready to be shown off to the world, and that in itself is a rare opportunity. If you can't make it to Monaco, the video tour below is the next best thing.