Huge residences, intimate ones (7)
I believe the answer is:
palaces
'huge residences' is the definition.
'palaces' can be an answer for 'residences' (palace is a kind of residence). I'm not certain of the 'huge' bit.
'intimate ones' is the wordplay.
'intimate' becomes 'pal' (both can mean a friend).
'ones' becomes 'aces' ('ace' can be a synonym of 'one').
'pal'+'aces'='PALACES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for palaces that I've seen before include "Royal residences" , "kings and queens here?" , "Offical residences of sovereigns" .)