Bill Gates House, widely known as Xanadu 2.0, is one of the most famous billionaire residences in the United States. The large private estate sits in Medina, Washington, overlooking Lake Washington near Seattle.
Gates began developing the property in the late 1980s, and the main residence reportedly took about seven years to complete. The home is commonly reported to cover around 66,000 square feet. It combines Pacific Northwest-inspired architecture with extensive technology and luxury amenities.
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Henry Gates III |
| Known As | Bill Gates |
| Born | October 28, 1955 |
| Age | 70 |
| Birthplace | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Technology entrepreneur, investor, author and philanthropist |
| Best Known For | Co-founding Microsoft with Paul Allen |
| Microsoft Founded | 1975 |
| Education | Harvard University — left before graduating |
| Former Spouse | Melinda French Gates; married 1994, divorced 2021 |
| Children | 3 — Jennifer, Rory and Phoebe |
| Current Marital Status | Divorced |
| Current Partner | Paula Hurd, according to public reporting |
| Estimated Net Worth | About $115.5 billion as of September 16, 2026, according to Forbes’ real-time estimate |
| Main Sources of Wealth | Microsoft, investments and other business interests |
| Microsoft Ownership | Forbes estimates his Microsoft stake at less than 1% |
| Philanthropy | Gates Foundation and other charitable initiatives |
| Current Residence — General Location | Medina, Washington, in the Seattle metropolitan area, according to Forbes |
| Famous Residence | Xanadu 2.0 |
| Home Setting | Lake Washington waterfront, Medina, Washington |
| Reported Home Size | About 66,000 square feet |
| Privacy Note | An exact private residential address is not included here. |
Luxury Architecture and Exterior Design
Xanadu 2.0 has a distinctive architectural character that fits its Pacific Northwest surroundings. Instead of looking like a conventional glass-and-steel modern mansion, the residence incorporates substantial wood, stone, glass, and natural landscaping.
The design gives the estate a warm residential character while still accommodating an unusually large number of rooms and amenities.
Custom Architecture and Building Materials
Architects James Cutler and Peter Bohlin designed the residence, with Thierry Despont handling the interior design. Reports have highlighted extensive use of Douglas fir and natural stone in the construction.
This combination helps explain why the house feels more like a carefully designed private lodge than a typical billionaire mansion.
The architecture also uses technology extensively without letting it dominate every visible part of the design.
Waterfront Setting and Landscape
One of the estate’s defining characteristics is its Lake Washington waterfront location.
The surrounding landscape provides views of the water and Seattle area while giving the property a strong sense of privacy. Reports have also described carefully planned gardens, trees, pathways, and waterfront areas.
The landscape is not simply decorative. It forms an important part of the overall design, connecting the interior living spaces with the natural surroundings.
Size and Scale of the Estate
At approximately 66,000 square feet, Xanadu 2.0 is considerably larger than an ordinary private residence. Its scale allows the property to include entertainment, recreation, guest, library, dining, and technology spaces under one roof.
The estate has also expanded over the years as additional properties and parcels were added, creating a larger private compound. Recent reporting says Gates has sold some neighboring properties while retaining the main Xanadu 2.0 residence and other surrounding holdings.
Smart Features Inside Bill Gates House
Technology is perhaps the feature most strongly associated with Bill Gates House.
Gates envisioned the property as a highly connected home where technology could respond to the people using different rooms.
High-Tech Home Automation
Public reports have described automated systems for lighting, temperature, music, entertainment, and other household functions.
Gates discussed the idea of a smart home in his 1995 book The Road Ahead, describing a system in which visitors could use electronic badges that communicated with sensors around the property. The concept was intended to allow environmental settings to change as people moved through the house.
Not every feature described in early accounts has been independently confirmed to operate exactly as originally envisioned, so treat these details as reported concepts rather than a complete technical specification.
Personalized Technology
One of the most memorable ideas associated with Xanadu 2.0 is personalized technology.
The reported concept allowed guests to have preferences recognized throughout the residence. Lighting, music, temperature, and digital displays could be adjusted according to individual needs.
The home was also designed to accommodate changing digital artwork, reflecting Gates’ long-standing interest in technology and visual media.
Security and Privacy
Privacy is particularly important for a residence belonging to a globally recognized technology entrepreneur.
The property reportedly incorporates sophisticated security and controlled-access systems. However, detailed security arrangements should not be treated as public specifications.
For a high-profile private estate, the broader design principle is clear: privacy and controlled access are important parts of the property’s planning.
Luxury Interiors and Entertainment Spaces
Inside, Xanadu 2.0 combines comfortable residential areas with spaces designed for large gatherings and entertainment.
The house reportedly includes numerous bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple kitchens, recreational areas, and large spaces for entertaining guests.
Library and Reading Spaces
The library is one of the most famous rooms associated with Bill Gates House.
Reports place the library at roughly 2,100 square feet and describe it as a traditional-looking space with detailed woodwork and a domed ceiling. It is particularly notable because Gates has displayed valuable historical material there, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester.
The library demonstrates how the property mixes modern technology with more traditional design.
Rather than making every room futuristic, the estate uses classic architectural ideas in some of its most important spaces.
Theater and Entertainment Areas
Entertainment is another major part of the home’s design.
The property is widely reported to have a private theater, along with large rooms intended for gatherings and presentations. Reports also mention a reception area that can accommodate around 150 people.
The estate’s entertainment facilities allow it to function as both a family residence and a venue for hosting large groups.
Guest and Living Areas
The residential side of Xanadu 2.0 includes bedrooms, guest spaces, kitchens, dining areas, and comfortable living rooms.
A frequently reported feature is the 60-foot swimming pool, described as having an underwater music system. An indoor trampoline room has also become one of the property’s most recognizable features.
These features show that the house was designed not only around work and technology but also around recreation.
Feature Publicly Reported Detail
Common name Xanadu 2.0
Location Medina, Washington
Main residence size About 66,000 sq. ft.
Setting Lake Washington waterfront
Construction period Approximately seven years
Architects James Cutler and Peter Bohlin
Library About 2,100 sq. ft.
Swimming pool About 60 feet long
Theater Private theater reported
Smart technology Lighting, climate and multimedia automation reported
Notable collection Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester has been associated with the library
Bill Gates’ Real Estate and Property Value
Xanadu 2.0 represents only part of Bill Gates’ broader interest in real estate, but it remains his most recognisable residence.
Reported Value of Bill Gates House
The property’s estimated value has changed over time.
Earlier assessments placed the residence at around $127 million. In comparison, more recent real-estate reporting has put the main Xanadu 2.0 estate at approximately $130 million or more. Architectural Digest reported an estimated value of about $130 million in 2026.
These numbers should not be confused with the original construction cost. Reports have commonly cited roughly $63 million in construction expenses, while older public assessments produced different property values.
Property values naturally change because of market conditions, assessments, improvements, and the specific parcels included in an estimate.
Property Development and History
Gates purchased the original waterfront land in 1988 for about $2 million, according to historical reports.
The residence then became a long-term construction project. Reports describe about seven years of work and hundreds of workers contributing to its development.
The result was a home that combined traditional architectural materials with technology that was considered highly advanced for its time.
Over the years, Gates also acquired neighboring properties. Some were apparently useful for expanding the broader compound and maintaining privacy around the main estate.
Bill Gates’ Broader Real Estate Interests
Gates has owned or been associated with various properties in addition to Xanadu 2.0.
Recent reporting shows that he has been selling some neighboring Medina properties, including a home listed for $4.8 million in 2026. The sales have reduced parts of the surrounding real-estate footprint. Still, reporting continues to identify Xanadu 2.0 as his main Washington residence.
This recent activity also illustrates why it is important to distinguish between properties Gates owns or has owned and his confirmed primary residence.
| House / Property | Location | Approx. Size | Architecture / Design | Notable Features | Reported Worth / Price | History / Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xanadu 2.0 | Medina, Washington, on Lake Washington | 66,000 sq. ft. | Modern Pacific Northwest lodge / earth-sheltered design | 60-ft pool, underwater music system, private library, theater, multiple kitchens and bathrooms, high-tech home systems | About $132 million based on a 2025 appraisal; other reports have estimated around $130 million | Gates began developing the property in the late 1980s. Construction reportedly took about seven years and cost around $60 million. It remains his best-known Washington residence. |
| Medina Mid-Century Modern Home | Medina, Washington | 2,400+ sq. ft. | Mid-century modern | Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, lakeside setting and modernist design | Listed for $4,988,800 in 2024 | Gates owned the property before putting it on the market in 2024. It subsequently sold, so it should not be presented as a current Gates residence. |
| Adjacent Medina Home | Medina, Washington | About 2,780–2,800 sq. ft. | Residential / contemporary Northwest style | Four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, lake/city/mountain views, fireplaces and private outdoor space | Listed around $4.8 million in February 2026 | Purchased through an LLC in the 1990s and located next to Xanadu 2.0. It was listed for sale in 2026 as Gates reduced some surrounding properties. |
Bill Gates House: FAQ
Where is Bill Gates House located?
Bill Gates House, or Xanadu 2.0, is located in Medina, Washington, on the shores of Lake Washington near Seattle.
For privacy and safety reasons, you don’t need an exact private residential address to understand the property.
What is Bill Gates House called?
The residence is commonly known as Xanadu 2.0.
The name is associated with the fictional estate of Charles Foster Kane from Citizen Kane, which reportedly influenced the concept behind the property.
How much is Bill Gates House worth?
Recent reports estimate the main Xanadu 2.0 estate at around $130 million to $132 million, though estimates vary.
Older public assessments produced figures such as approximately $127 million. The number can change depending on the date, assessment method, market conditions, and whether it includes surrounding parcels.
What makes Bill Gates House unique?
The property’s uniqueness comes from its combination of custom architecture, advanced technology, waterfront surroundings, privacy, entertainment facilities, and valuable art and historical materials.
Its approximately 66,000-square-foot scale also makes it unusual even among high-end residences.
Does Bill Gates still live in the house?
Recent 2026 reporting identifies Xanadu 2.0 as Gates’ main residence. Architectural Digest reported that he continues to keep the estate while selling some neighboring properties.
Where Does Bill Gates Currently Live?
Bill Gates primarily lives at Xanadu 2.0, his well-known estate in Medina, Washington, near Seattle.
Bill Gates House Photos
