The stunning 95.2-meter Lürssen superyacht Kismet has been sold in record time in one of the biggest brokerage deals of the year so far. The uber-luxurious vessel found a new owner in just three months after being listed, despite a rather steep asking price of €149 million (about $158 million), which ended up surprising not only everyone in the industry but also the brokers involved in the deal. Chris Cecil Wright of Cecil Wright & Partners was representing the seller, while the buyer was represented by Will Christie of Christie Yachts in the record-setting sale.
In fact, Kismet was supposed to be one of the biggest attractions at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. However, thanks to the super swift sale of the vessel, she will no longer be exhibited at the Monaco Yacht Show. There’s no information on the new owner of the vessel.
Kismet was previously owned by Pakistani-American billionaire Shahid Khan who had commissioned the uber-luxurious vessel almost a decade ago as a replacement for his smaller, Lürssen-built superyacht which carried the same name, Kismet. Measuring 68 meters in length, the original Kismet superyacht was not really a small pleasure vessel; however, Khan’s thriving business and quickly expanding empire meant he needed to upgrade to a bigger superyacht that offered enough space to host and entertain his esteemed guests, families, and friends.
Kismet – the perfect billionaire’s toy
Launched in 2014, the Lürssen-built vessel is an absolutely gorgeous nautical creation with everything about it as special and over-the-top as it can be. The stunning exterior of Kismet was designed by Espen Oeino. The brief from Khan was for a superyacht inspired by “caviar and champagne.” As a result, the vessel was given a dual-tone look achieved using a jet-black mast and champagne-colored hull.
The superyacht’s vast interior is just as beautiful as the head-turning exterior. Styled by Reymond Langton, Kismet’s interior has everything one would expect from a top-end superyacht of its size.
The luxury vessel can accommodate up to 16 guests across eight staterooms, which includes a master suite with a private deck featuring a Jacuzzi. It also has access to the vessel’s helipad which doubles as a basketball court. In addition to that, the superyacht also has something called a sea cabin, which is carefully located on the lower deck on portside amidships. This spot on the vessel experiences minimum motion, making it perfect for guests who suffer from seasickness.
British studio Reymond Langton was responsible for Kismet’s jaw-dropping interior decoration, which clearly exhibits its Art Deco and Art Nouveau influences. One of the highlights is the Crystal gigantic Caviar chandelier that weighs almost 775 pounds, which can be found in the yacht’s grand atrium. A majestic staircase and an enormous video wall also make the vessel’s double-height atrium truly special.
If that was not all, Kismet also gets a cinema, a firepit on deck, and a state-of-the-art wellness center finished in dark stones and mosaics. Additionally, an extensive range of toys and tenders are stowed in the garage on the lower deck. This area doubles up as a spot for some waterside aerobics and yoga.
Who is Shahid Khan?
Shahid Khan is a Pakistani-born entrepreneur who has one of the most inspiring rags-to-riches stories. Khan moved to the United States in 1967 at the age of 16 to study at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. While his first job was washing dishes for $1.20 an hour, Khan’s fortunes changed after he graduated in 1971. After working as the engineering director for Flex-N-Gate for a few years, Khan started Bumper Works in 1978 and made car bumpers. The business was a big success and it was acquired by Flex-N-Gate. Currently, Shahid Khan is the owner of Flex-N-Gate and his personal net worth is estimated to be around $12.1 billion. Furthermore, the billionaire is also the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team and the UK’s Fulham football club. As per reports, Khan reportedly makes $250 million yearly from his NFL rev share.
