The $178 Million Question: Where Exactly Does Bill Gates Live? (And The 4 Secret Properties He Owns)

As of late 2025, the primary residence of Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates remains his legendary, high-tech, earth-sheltered mansion, famously nicknamed "Xanadu 2.0." This monumental estate is not just a house; it is a 66,000-square-foot fortress of technology and luxury nestled on the shores of Lake Washington in the exclusive enclave of Medina, Washington. Despite his 2021 divorce from Melinda French Gates, the tech mogul has confirmed his intention to remain in the gigantic home he spent seven years and an estimated $63 million building.

The question of "Where does Bill Gates live?" is more complex than a single address, as his lifestyle requires multiple, strategically placed properties. His real estate empire, managed largely through his private investment firm, Cascade Investment, LLC, spans from beachfront luxury in Southern California to vast swathes of American farmland, making him one of the largest private landowners in the United States.

Bill Gates: Biography and Primary Residence Profile

To understand the scale of his main residence, it helps to first look at the man who built it—a figure whose life has been defined by innovation and monumental success.

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• Full Name: William Henry Gates III
• Born: October 28, 1955 (Age 70 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, U.S.
• Education: Harvard University (Did not graduate)
• Career: Co-founder of Microsoft (1975); Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Stepped down from Microsoft Board in 2020 to focus on philanthropy)
• Main Residence (Xanadu 2.0): 1835 73rd Ave NE, Medina, Washington
• Property Type: Earth-sheltered, high-tech mansion overlooking Lake Washington
• Size: Approximately 66,000 square feet
• Estimated Current Value: Valued between $138 million and $178 million (as of 2024/2025)
• Key Features: 7 bedrooms, 24 bathrooms, 6 kitchens, a 23-car garage, and a reception hall for up to 200 guests.

The Technological Marvel of Xanadu 2.0 in Medina, Washington

Xanadu 2.0, named after the fictional home of Charles Foster Kane in the film Citizen Kane, is the ultimate expression of Gates’s passion for technology and efficiency. The home’s design is a blend of Pacific Northwest lodge architecture and cutting-edge smart home automation, built into the side of a hill to utilize its earth-sheltered design for natural temperature regulation.

Unprecedented Smart Home Features

The mansion is a living laboratory of the digital age, incorporating systems that were revolutionary when it was completed in 1997 and continue to be updated today. The entire property is a network of sensors and smart systems designed to cater instantly to the occupants' needs.

• Personalized Environment: Guests wear a pin that interacts with sensors throughout the house, allowing the home's climate, lighting, and even the music to adjust automatically as they move from room to room.
• Dynamic Artwork: Walls are equipped with flat-screen monitors displaying digital art. The art can be changed at the touch of a button, with the system storing up to $150,000 worth of computer screens and digital files.
• The Unique Pool: The 60-foot indoor/outdoor pool features an underwater music system and a glass wall. The outdoor section is covered by a glass greenhouse structure.
• The Library: A massive 2,100-square-foot library houses a rare collection, including Leonardo da Vinci’s 16th-century manuscript, the Codex Leicester, which Gates bought for over $30 million.
• The Trampoline Room: The house includes a dedicated 2,500-square-foot exercise facility with a sauna, steam room, separate men's and women's locker rooms, and a spring-loaded trampoline room.

The property’s sheer size and complexity—featuring a man-made stream stocked with salmon and trout, and sand on the beach imported from the Caribbean—cement its status as one of the world's most exclusive and technologically advanced homes.

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The Gates Real Estate Portfolio: Beyond Washington State

While Xanadu 2.0 is his permanent base, Bill Gates's real estate holdings are vast and diverse, providing him with luxury getaways and strategic investment opportunities across the globe. These secondary residences and properties are managed through Cascade Investment, LLC, his personal wealth management vehicle.

1. The Del Mar, San Diego Beachfront Compound

For a sunnier retreat, Gates owns a stunning beachfront estate in the exclusive coastal community of Del Mar, just outside San Diego, California. This property was purchased in 2020 for a staggering $43 million, making it one of the most expensive sales in the area's history at the time.

• Location: Del Mar, San Diego, California (2808 Ocean Front)
• Purchase Price: $43 million
• Features: The compound spans nearly 5,800 square feet, boasts 120 feet of private ocean frontage, and includes a full-service spa, a glass-tiled pool, and a 10-person Jacuzzi.

2. The Wellington, Florida Equestrian Ranch

The Gates family has a strong connection to the equestrian world, particularly through his daughter Jennifer Gates, who is an accomplished show jumper. To support her passion, Gates owns a significant ranch property in Wellington, Florida, the epicenter of the American equestrian circuit.

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• Location: Wellington, Palm Beach County, Florida
• Type: A sprawling equestrian facility, often referred to as a "ranch."
• Purpose: Used for training and competition during the Winter Equestrian Festival.

3. Grand Bogue Caye: The Private Island

For the ultimate escape from the public eye, Bill Gates owns a private island. This acquisition provides him with a secluded, pristine natural environment far from his Seattle base.

• Island Name: Grand Bogue Caye
• Location: Off the coast of Belize
• Size: Approximately 314 acres
• Acquisition: Purchased in 2006 for over $20 million.

4. Nearly 250,000 Acres of U.S. Farmland

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Bill Gates's portfolio is his role as the largest private owner of farmland in the United States. This vast agricultural empire is not a residence, but it is a massive real estate holding that speaks to his investment strategy and commitment to agricultural innovation.

• Total Acreage: Nearly 250,000 acres (as of 2024)
• Geographic Spread: Spanning 17 states, including Louisiana, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Arizona.
• Investment Thesis: The land is held as a long-term, stable asset managed by Cascade Investment, often focused on sustainable and innovative farming practices.

The Final Word on Bill Gates’s Home

In summary, while Bill Gates has a massive, diversified real estate portfolio—including luxury homes in Del Mar, an equestrian ranch in Florida, and a private island in Belize—his permanent, primary address remains the iconic Xanadu 2.0 in Medina, Washington. This colossal, high-tech mansion continues to be his home base for his philanthropic work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and his personal life in the Pacific Northwest. The sheer scale and technological integration of Xanadu 2.0 ensure that it will remain a subject of fascination and a benchmark for luxury smart homes for years to come.