It’s hard to truly get into the minds of billionaires, but one can’t help but wonder how they feel about owning superyachts. For those who’ve built their fortunes from the ground up, these lavish vessels must feel like the ultimate reward, a tangible representation of years of hard work and vision finally taking shape. Take Jan Kulczyk, who was once Poland’s wealthiest man, for example. The founder and owner of Kulczyk Holding, the late Jan Kulczyk, started his entrepreneurial journey by borrowing money from his father, Henryk, and became Poland’s first official Volkswagen dealer.
His first big break came in the early 1990s when he brokered a PLN 150 million ($39 million) deal to sell 3,000 Volkswagen cars to the Polish police and security services. A man who made his fortune with cars, Kulczyk’s journey eventually led him to the seas. In 2004, he commissioned a 200-foot yacht, the Phoenix, designed with a French Art Deco-inspired interior. But for Jan, one yacht wasn’t enough.
The next step was Phoenix 2, an even grander, more opulent creation worth $160 million. It was a yacht that seemed to echo the exuberance of 1920s New York, an era of great wealth, Art Deco architecture, and unforgettable glamour.
After his passing, the glorious yacht Phoenix 2 went to Jan’s son, Sebastian Kulczyk, who inherited both the yacht and the thriving empire his father built. Sebastian, a billionaire in his own right with a net worth of $1.5 billion, recently sold the 295-foot yacht for a staggering $128 million, marking one of the highest-priced yacht sales of 2024. And looking at this majestic motor yacht, it’s not hard to see why. If there’s any vessel on the water today that can rival the grandeur of Shahid Khan’s floating mansion, the 400-foot Kismet, it’s undoubtedly the Phoenix 2. Now, let’s take a closer look at what makes this yacht truly one of a kind:
Inside the incredible Phoenix 2 –
Is changing owners akin to resurrection? For some yachts, yes. New owners often seek to erase the signature of the previous one, wiping away their tastes and imprinting their own personality on the interiors. But with the Phoenix 2, it’s hard to imagine any sensible person changing even the smallest detail, unless they have a strong aversion to opulence. This is not a vessel for those with a fondness for the understated. There is nothing subtle about this Lürssen beauty, which was sold by Burgess to an unnamed buyer.
The yacht features seven grand cabins, a full-beam owner’s suite, a glass spiral staircase, a private observation lounge, and an office, plus an aft helipad. A touch-and-go helipad sits on the foredeck, while the pool is enhanced with skylights, a sunken Jacuzzi, a waterfall feature, and an outdoor cinema. But it’s not just the amenities that make this yacht special; it’s the intricate details that truly set her apart.
From the Radio City-themed indoor cinema to the Speakeasy-inspired spa, the winter garden-style al fresco dining space, and the Broadway-style dining room, every corner tells a story.
The yacht even features iconic landmarks, from the skyscrapers on the bar stools in the sky lounge to the massive figurehead that could have been plucked straight from the Chrysler Building. These details are nothing short of mind-boggling.
Burgess has stated that the Phoenix 2 might have the most expensive interior ever fitted by Lürssen. It’s a believable statement, especially when even the door handles and the cutlery were custom-designed specifically for the yacht.
The stunning four-decker has hosted some world-class musicians over the years, serviced by a crew of 29. The 2,667 GT vessel boasts a speed of 18 knots and an impressive toy selection.
