What Neighborhood Does Bill Gates Live in Seattle?
For decades, Medina in Washington has been the home to Bill Gates, the Microsoft billionaire who is among the richest men in the entire world. His sprawling 66,000-square-foot mansion, nicknamed "Xanadu 2.0" after the fictional estate in the movie Citizen Kane, is an architectural wonder and not just big; it reflects the expensive tastes and love for technology of this billionaire.
On the shores of Lake Washington, the Gates estate encompasses more than 10.5 acres with several parcels of land bought between 1988 and 2009. The primary residence boasts a Pacific lodge style designed by architects James Cutler and Peter Bohlin, featuring such classic components as a private library topped by a domed roof and oculus.
It's a showcase of the latest technology, from an estate-wide server system down to the swimming pool that stretches 60 feet with an underwater music system, a 2,500-square-foot gym, and a dining room that measures 1,000 square feet. There are 24 bathrooms—10 have bathtubs—and six kitchens in the home tailor-made for large groups and events.
Certainly the most impressive features of Xanadu 2.0 are the ample use of automation and energy-efficient design it has. Advanced technology is used in the house for comfortable living while causing least effect on the environment.
Contrary to people's expectations, despite having a Medina mansion, Bill and Melinda Gates would want to downsize in the future. In the New York Times interview in 2019, Melinda remarked that they would not have the house forever, and she looks forward to living in a 1,500-square-foot home one day.
Very few details about the Medina property of the Gates have been shown to the public. In 2007, a Microsoft intern published an account of his visit to one of the annual BBQs that Bill Gates holds for company interns. The lucky guests could get a view of most of the estate's detailed landscapes, its dock, boat, and hot tub, along with a beach supplied with sand from Hawaii.
Although Bill and Melinda Gates announced their divorce in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage, the division of real estate assets remains at large. The Medina mansion has been the family home for their three children, Jennifer, Rory, and Phoebe, all their lives.
Quiet suburb Medina, one of the most influential figures in technology and philanthropy, was chosen by Bill Gates as a place to live. Therefore, this exclusive enclave took center stage. The Gates' mansion, called Xanadu 2.0, stands as an icon for luxury living and as evidence of a couple's success and vision for a future based on technology.
