Once hailed as the wealthiest man globally, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has seen a shift in his ranking among the affluent, surpassed by figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bernard Arnault. Nonetheless, he maintains a position in the top 10 wealthiest individuals with a staggering net worth exceeding $100 billion. In recent years, Gates has redirected his focus from business endeavors to spearheading the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, recognized as the world’s largest private charitable foundation.
Despite his immense fortune, Gates has chosen to remain close to his roots, having been born and raised in Seattle, Washington. His residence is a remarkable 66,000-square-foot mansion named Xanadu 2.0, situated on the shores of Lake Washington in Medina, a small city neighboring Seattle. Notably, Medina has also been the home of fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos.
Xanadu 2.0, valued well over $130 million, pays homage to the fictional home of Charles Foster Kane in Orson Welles’ iconic film “Citizen Kane.” The mansion is equipped with distinctive features befitting its owner’s wealth.
The expansive residence boasts 7 bedrooms, 24 bathrooms, and an astounding 6 kitchens, catering to various purposes within its voluminous walls. Noteworthy spaces include a 2,300-square-foot reception hall accommodating up to 200 people and a dining room seating 24 individuals. Additional amenities encompass a 60-foot pool, a 1,500-square-foot art deco theater, and a 1-bedroom guest house where Gates reportedly wrote his book “The Road Ahead.
Among the unique features is a sprawling 2,500-square-foot fitness facility housing a trampoline room with a 20-foot ceiling, indicative of Gates’ preferred method of relaxation. The library, a highlight of Xanadu 2.0, spans 2,100 square feet and includes a domed reading room and two secret pivoting bookcases. Notably, it houses valuable manuscripts, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester, purchased for .8 million.
Consistent with Gates’ tech-oriented background, the mansion integrates cutting-edge technology, such as an estate-wide server system, a 60-foot swimming pool with an underwater music system, and approximately $80,000 worth of computer screens displaying art. Guests receive devices worth an additional $150,000, allowing them to select their preferred paintings or photographs for display.
The construction of Xanadu 2.0, a modern design in the Pacific lodge style, took seven years and involved architects from Cutler-Anderson and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the latter renowned for Apple Store aesthetics. The house is characterized as an “earth-sheltered” structure, utilizing natural surroundings for insulation.
Owning a property valued at over 0 million comes with significant property taxes, and Gates pays over $1 million annually for Xanadu 2.0. The last assessed value was $135,523,000, including land and property additions.
Concerning Bill and Melinda Gates’ divorce, no public information specifies the fate of Xanadu 2.0 post-split. Given Bill’s ownership before their marriage in 1994 and Melinda’s expressed reservations about the mansion, it is likely that she did not claim the property. Melinda, despite contributing changes to make the residence more family-friendly, mentioned her anticipation of downsizing to a smaller house, a plan that did not materialize during their marriage.
