Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and distinguished philanthropist has once again been recognized as the richest man in the world earlier this year. As of today, Forbes estimates Gate’s net worth at $83.9 billion, and you can bet that the house of the Microsoft co-founder is pretty much representative of his incredible fortune.
Business Insider made some research about Gate’s Medina, Washington estate, and the 66,000 square feet home named “Xanadu 2.0” (likely inspired by the unfinished home of Citizen Kane’s protagonist Charles Foster Kane) could be worth at least least $124 million today, which is nearly twice as much as the $63 million Gates invested in it over seven years.
As you can guess, the massive home also welcome the best technology equipment. Here are highlights of his expensive home:
- There are sensors everywhere that can adjust lighting and temperature according to your preferences as you move around the house.
- Gates spent $80,000 to install computer screens everywhere that users can interact with to display their favorite art pieces.
- For music lovers, hidden speakers connected to sensors can play music everywhere you go, including in the 60-foot pool which has an underwater sound system.
- The home also has a 2,300-square-foot hall that can welcome up to 200 guests, 24 bathrooms, six kitchens and a 20-seat Art Deco home theater.
- Outside of the swimming pool, Gates can also enjoy his own personal beach with sand imported from the Caribbean.
On the lot that Gates purchased for “only” $2 million in 1988, the billionaire also built a 2,100-square-foot library, a 1,900-square-foot guest house, and several garages including an underground one that can park 10 cars. There is also a trampoline room with a 20-foot ceiling, a sauna, and a steam room when Gates wants to relax.
According to a previous report from the Puget Sound Business Journal, Gates used to give private tours of his property, and a Microsoft employee reportedly paid $35,000 to visit it. If that sounds like a lot of money, it’s still far from the $1,080,443.17 that the Microsoft co-founder paid in property taxes in 2016, according to public filings.
