Bill and Melinda Gates’ US$130.8m mansion could be tough to sell

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Melin­da French Gates, one of the world’s rich­est couples, announced their divorce in May this year, ending 27 years of mar­riage. As the shock of the divorce slowly wears off, questions have been asked on who will own their 66,000 sq ft mansion located in Medina, Wash­ington State.

Completed in 1995, the lakefront mansion con­struction cost over US$63 million (RM262 million) and took seven years to build.

It was designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and Jim Cutler of Cutler-Anderson Architects. The former also designed Apple’s worldwide signature retail stores’ architectural tone while the latter was also the architect for Steve Jobs’ residence, according to news reports.

Dubbed Xanadu 2.0, the Pacific lodge-style mansion features many over-the-top facilities such as a 60ft swimming pool with an underwater sound system, 2,500 sq ft fitness facility, trampo­line room, home theatre, aquarium that showcases rare marine animals, classic private library with dome-shaped roof and oculus, sauna and steam room with separate locker rooms, 1,000 sq ft din­ing room, reception hall that accommodates up to 200 guests and stainless steel garages that can ac­commodate 23 cars. The mansion consists of only seven bedrooms but 24 bathrooms and six kitchens.

As many have expected, the leading software developer’s home is tech-heavy. It features an es­tate-wide server system, sensor system to adjust each room’s climate and lighting, computer screens lined up around the house to display art, and hidden speakers that allow music to follow human move­ment from one room to another.

The one-and-only Gates’ resi­dence is valued at US$130.8 million. It could possibly be one of the most expensive private residences in the world.

“They have an incredible home, but now, if it has to be sold, it’s not going to be a wham bam thank you ma’am”, said Ernie Carswell of Daughlas El­liman, a Los Angeles-based agent with 25 years of experience selling the city’s most lavish properties.

Carswell told US-based global real estate publi­cation Mansion Global that such a degree of custo­misation within a private residence doesn’t make a home more valuable, though it would gain a great recognition.

Citing an example of former NBA star Michael Jordan’s 56,000 sq ft house, which also features customised amenities such as a standard-size bas­ketball court and a round infinity pool with a green island at its centre, it has remained on the market for sale from 2012 until today. The asking price has also dropped from the initial US$29 million to US$14.8 million today.

Carswell foresees that if the Gates’ house were ever listed on the market, it would appeal to a lim­ited number of buyers, as maintaining a 66,000 sq ft area is not a small commitment.

He also highlighted that the property tax for Xanadu 2.0 last year was US$1.13 million.

This story first appeared in the EdgeProp.my E-weekly on July 2, 2021. You can access back issues here.

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