The Scale of a Floating City
Few vessels embody grandeur as completely as Gabe Newell’s newly christened Leviathan, a 364-foot superyacht built by Dutch shipyard Oceanco. With an estimated cost ranging between $375 million and $535 million, the yacht represents both technological ambition and uncompromising luxury. Its very name suggests mythic proportions, a presence at sea that mirrors Newell’s larger-than-life status in the gaming and technology world.
The best measure of its scale may be hidden from sight. Behind the walls and ceilings lie 280 miles of cabling, a network long enough to stretch from Los Angeles to the Las Vegas Strip. This intricate web powers every light, entertainment system, and communication link, ensuring that Leviathan operates not merely as a pleasure craft but as a fully functional city at sea. Without it, the yacht would be a silent shell. With it, it becomes a vibrant, self-contained ecosystem.
This immense nervous system also supports features that push the boundaries of yacht design. From its climate control systems to satellite connections that allow instant communication across the globe, Leviathan’s infrastructure is designed for permanence and resilience. For Newell, who spends extended periods living aboard, the ship is not just a retreat but a true residence. It is an ocean-borne world that mirrors the connectivity of life on land.
Living Spaces of Unrivaled Elegance
Stepping inside Leviathan reveals a vision of comfort more aligned with a high-end estate than a vessel at sea. The owner’s suite commands attention with a bathroom clad in parquet flooring and ash cabinetry finished with leather handles, marrying durability with tactile luxury. Every detail feels carefully chosen to soften the steel beneath, transforming utility into refined artistry.
The leisure amenities extend this philosophy of abundance. A gym large enough for 24 guests overlooks the water through expansive windows, while the crew of 38 have their own dedicated fitness space. Outside, an 11-by-5-meter swimming pool features wave breakers to ensure calm waters even as the yacht is underway. Above, a helipad stands ready for flight operations, underscoring the vessel’s seamless integration of convenience and spectacle.
Hospitality is elevated further in the yacht’s resort-like spaces. Guests can lounge in the beach club, which sprawls across nearly 250 square meters and includes a bar, hot tub, pizza oven, and wellness spa. The design encourages an effortless shift from relaxation to adventure, with diving platforms at the water’s edge and a toy garage stocked with jet skis, spearfishing gear, and even a submarine. Every corner of Leviathan suggests not only indulgence but also a readiness for exploration.
Innovation Beneath the Surface
What distinguishes Leviathan from other superyachts is its balance between opulence and technical sophistication. At its heart is a diesel-electric power plant, complemented by a battery energy storage system that allows for emission free cruising. Advanced wastewater treatment ensures that the vessel meets strict environmental standards, while composite decks and honed stone interiors reduce upkeep without sacrificing elegance. The choice of materials reflects a conscious attempt to blend sustainability with luxury.
Health and safety are central to its design. Onboard is a fully equipped hospital rather than a token medical bay. With a scanner, oxygen systems, and quarters for a resident nurse, Leviathan offers a level of preparedness rarely seen at sea. For an owner accustomed to long voyages, this facility transforms the vessel into not only a place of leisure but also one of security and resilience.
Ultimately, it is the cabling that symbolizes the yacht’s ambition. Every flicker of light, every chilled bottle, every streamed movie depends on the arteries of copper and fiber woven throughout its hull. This vast hidden network ensures that Leviathan is not simply a luxury toy but a living, breathing system capable of sustaining both everyday comforts and extraordinary journeys. In its balance of indulgence and infrastructure, the vessel stands as a statement: the ocean, too, can host a city built for permanence, innovation, and beauty.