"No neighborhood wants to be occupied," said Michael Kieschnick, standing in his yard, surrounded on three sides by the Meta CEO's properties.
He explained that since Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan arrived in 2011, Crescent Park has transformed from a major construction site into a billion-dollar compound with high fences, surveillance cameras, and loud parties.
"Billionaires everywhere are used to making their own rules. Zuckerberg is no exception. Unfortunately, they happen to be my neighbors," Kieschnick said.
Zuckerberg began by purchasing a 5,600-square-foot house on Edgewood Drive, recognized by the local heritage society as the oldest in Palo Alto. He then spent over USD 110 million acquiring 11 adjacent houses, sometimes paying double or triple the market price.
Five of these were combined into a complex including a main house, guest house, baseball field, a pool with a retractable cover for parties, an outdoor entertainment center, and at one point, a private preschool for 14 children, despite not adhering to the city's residential zoning regulations.
A prominent feature of the compound is a seven-foot statue of Jackie Chan, once showcased by Zuckerberg on Instagram.
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Mark Zuckerberg's USD 37 million, five-house compound in Palo Alto. Photo: DM |
Mark Zuckerberg's USD 37 million, five-house compound in Palo Alto. Photo: DM
Building permit records reveal the city approved 56 items for Zuckerberg's property. Part of the project involves over 7,000 square feet of underground space, listed as a "basement" but referred to by neighbors as the "billionaire bat cave."
The 8-year construction project resulted in streets frequently filled with trucks, heavy machinery, and noise. Some neighbors reported blocked driveways, flat tires from debris, and broken car mirrors from equipment collisions.
When the Zuckerberg family hosts parties, streets can be blocked for hours. Guests arrive in tuxedos, evening gowns, or themed costumes, with loud music and constant valet service.
"We've called the police about the noise, but rarely get a response," one resident said.
In 2016, the Palo Alto Architectural Review Board rejected a proposal to demolish four adjacent houses and build anew with a large basement. However, Zuckerberg subsequently implemented the project in phases to avoid further review by the board.
Many residents believe the city has yielded to the billionaire's every demand. Recently, they were upset when police posted "no parking" signs on public streets to accommodate a barbecue at Zuckerberg's house.
Greer Stone, a city council member, acknowledged that Zuckerberg "found loopholes" in zoning laws and said new regulations are being drafted to prevent similar situations.
Aaron McLear, a spokesperson for the Zuckerbergs, insisted the couple has made every effort to minimize disruption: providing advance notice of events, offering a contact phone number, installing cameras that don't face neighbors' homes, and using electric vehicles for security personnel.
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Mark Zuckerberg's family of four in their USD 7 million home appeared on CBS's This Morning in 2019. Photo: CBS |
Mark Zuckerberg's family of four in their USD 7 million home appeared on CBS's This Morning in 2019. Photo: CBS
He said some properties were purchased after homeowners offered to sell, and the tight security is necessary due to serious threats against Zuckerberg.
"Mark, Priscilla, and their children have considered Palo Alto home for over a decade. They value being members of the community and have taken many steps beyond what's required to minimize their impact," McLear said.
The billionaire family also sends gifts to neighbors when hosting loud parties, ranging from wine, chocolates, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts to noise-canceling headphones.
However, for many Crescent Park residents, these gestures are not enough to alleviate the inconvenience.
Nhat Minh (According to Dailymail/nytimes)
