Thursday, May 5, 2011

New Digs for Facebook Billionaire Mark Zuckerberg

BUYER: Mark Zuckerberg
LOCATION: Palo Alto, CA
PRICE: $7,000,000
SIZE: 5,617 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 5 full and 2 half bathrooms

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Every celebrity real estate watcher and social media maven knows that baby-faced Facebook bajillionaire Mark Zuckerberg lives modestly, certainly far beneath his financial means.

For years Mister Zuckerberg shacked up in a very ordinary if somewhat pricey rental house in the College Terrace neighborhood in Palo Alto, CA. Soon after Mister Zuckerberg gave Oprah Winfrey a tour of the barely furnished house in the fall of 2010, he and his long-term lady-friend Priscilla Chan moved and the house was posted for lease on Craigslist with an asking price of $7,850 per month.

The whip-smart internet tycoon decamped for a new rental house just seven blocks away. Turns out, the 3,800 square foot fully renovated residence–where he reportedly had a serious security system installed complete with scads of cameras–was little more than a way-station and crash pad.

New reports out of Silicon Valley reveal that Mister Zuckerberg has finally used some of his many billions to buy a multi-million dollar property in Palo Alto. With the information we had at hand Your Mama did a little unscientific research and feel quite confident we've identified Mister Zuckerberg's new residence, an an historic house in Palo Alto's Crescent Park neighborhood, just a 10 minute drive from Facebook's new campus in Menlo Park.

Public records show the charming in question sold in mid-March for $7,000,000 and listing information Your Mama managed to squeeze and tease out of the interweb shows the residence has 5 bedrooms, 5 full and 2 half bathrooms in 5,617 square feet.

The turn-of-the-century residence, set well back from the street behind walls and privacy hedges, was originally built in 1903 and remodeled and expanded over the years. The previous owners–who reportedly still occupy the home as of yesterday–gave the property a complete and expensive overhaul a few years ago that included the addition of an entertainment pavilion with outdoor fireplace and built-in barbecue and a lap-lane salt water swimming pool and spa.

A wide rocking chair porch leads to and impress-the-guests entrance hall and reception area, a formal living with fireplace, banquet hall sized dining room, wood-paneled family room with built-in cabinetry and a large center-island kitchen that opens into a glassed-in sun porch. The master bedroom includes a bathroom with twin Carrera marble topped vanities, separate soaking tub and shower and heated floors for tootsie warming on those chilly and damp NorCal mornings.

Given Mister Zuckerberg's recent run in with an unhinged person who turned up on his door step and left ridiculous notes for him that said stupid things like: "I am ready to die for you, please, Mark, please," we imagine Mister Zuckerberg will install a state of the art security system that will not only film you but zap you with a laser beam iffin you so much as look a the house when you drive by.

listing photo: Alain Pinel Realtors

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is very interesting that the pool actually sits in the front of the house, don't you think. I assume there will be major work from the street to create more privacy.

Anonymous said...

I like the modest (for California) look. At least it's not one of those godawful Mediterranean messes.

StPaulSnowman said...

I can't see the specialosity here, although I have tried. To my eye, it looks like something out of "Justified" after the local Boy Scouts cleaned all the trash off the lawn. Raylon.............put up the clotheslines and fire up my still!

Anonymous said...

Loose the pool and the house seems awfully close to the one used in "Bin Laden's Last Stand."

Anonymous said...

obviously none of you (commenters) have ever been to the stately area of Palo Alto. It is gorgeous and highly desirable, as is the entire area within a 3-4 mile radius in each direction. Thanks Mama for a great review as usual.

Anonymous said...

It's LOSE the pool not loose the pool. jeezus...learn your words!

Anonymous said...

ugly house. he could have gotten something better than this.

the pool is in the back.

Two Visionaries Visualizing said...

I guess 5,000 sq. feet is for all his friends? And the pool...for pool parties of course.

Anonymous said...

If that is the vibe he wants, I would tear that hideous pile down, and build a very nice Arts and Crafts house. Not too big, but at least something that doesn't hurt your eyes to look at.

Suzy said...

I also immediately thought of bin Laden's Last Stand.

Anonymous said...

Gotta wonder why all these rich folk choose to live on the San Andreas Fault... Palo Alto is not that special.

Anonymous said...

The area in general may or may not be special, but ten minutes to the office certainly is!

Did I miss a link somwhere showing additional photos? I see quite a bit of judgement from ONE lonely pic of the backyard.

Given the footage, price, and historical nature of the property I'm sure it's quite nice.

Jumpin' Jejosephat said...

I certainly could be mistaken, but isn't it far more grievous to publicly correct someone rather than just living with the smug satisfaction of always being able to be grammatically correct? Just a thought. (yes, I have my stink-eye on you, anon 12:39).
Now, about that house.... yawn, but what can you realistcally expect from a (supposed) intellectual thief?

luke220 said...

The pic is of the front yard. It looks dreadful to me but guess he's not worried about taking a loss in the future.

I've never been wild about front yard pools.

Anonymous said...

I think the house is charming, and who gives a crap where the pool is! Like Zuckerberg said I have enough money to buy what ever I want, and obviously this is what he wanted, its not like 7k is short change! I think the property is very sweet and charming, not overdone!

Anonymous said...

Any way we can see the interior? A 7 million $ house for a billionaire seems very modest to me. Not quite Buffett modest, but sensible. I approve of his good sense in buying for comfort, not display.

Anonymous said...

Overpriced for a hardy plank house. Pool looks like someone just dug a hole and put water in it, it does not look professional. Well, good luck anyway.

Anonymous said...

It's very east coast. i like the porches. Don't think this shot is the best angle. The grass to pool coping is also east coast/european. We don't see it too much in LA. Except in Malibu. I don't know the market in Palo Alto but for $7 mil I would like to have it on a big lot.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful home. Congrats Mark!

Anonymous said...

It's a lovely home, modest and unpretentious with a pool in the FRONT yard (that's why the house is set back from the street). For people who don't live in this area, I can understand why they're incredulous at the price, but unfortunately that is the going rate around here. BTW, Steve Young will be one of Mr. Zuckerberg's neighbors :-)

Anonymous said...

A real "poke" in the eye.

Anonymous said...

I would like that those who criticize Zuckerber's house...post their own house pics. cheers

Anonymous said...

Mama don't post pictures of the non-famous or I would and mine is far more beautiful than this over-rated wannabe.

Anonymous said...

@ Anonymous May 6 8:34 AM:

Average price per square foot in Beverly Hills is $487. In Palo Alto, it's $761.

Ian said...

If that is the vibe he wants, I would tear that hideous pile down, and build a very nice Arts and Crafts house. Not too big, but at least something that doesn't hurt your eyes to look at.