Bill Gates Lists $4.8 Million Property Adjacent to His Xanadu 2.0 Estate
Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates has reportedly put a property near his iconic Xanadu 2.0 compound in Medina, Washington, on the market for $4.8 million. According to a listing reviewed by Fortune, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home is described as "nestled into one of Medina's most coveted hillsides," offering a prime location in the exclusive neighborhood.
A Surprising Reversal in Real Estate Strategy
This sale represents a notable U-turn from Gates's previous statements. In 2024, he publicly stated he was not looking to downsize, making this listing a shift in his residential plans. The property, which Gates purchased for $1 million in 1995, is situated close to his $132 million Xanadu 2.0 estate, a sprawling lakefront mansion that spans 66,000 square feet and was appraised in 2025.
In a 2025 interview with The Times, Gates reflected on his living situation, saying, "My house in Seattle, I admit, is gigantic. My sisters have downsized. I can’t. I like the houses I have. My kids like to come back—that is a luxury. I don’t cook, I don’t make my own bed, but I don’t mind if no one has made it—I wouldn’t notice." This context highlights the personal significance of his properties, even as he adjusts his portfolio.
Details of the Listed Property and Xanadu 2.0
The 2,800-square-foot home now for sale was acquired through an LLC in Gates's name in 1994, around the time of his marriage to Melinda French Gates. It sits adjacent to Xanadu 2.0, which Gates bought in 1988 for $2 million and later invested approximately $63 million into developing. The mansion features:
- 24 bathrooms and seven bedrooms
- Several garages and a trampoline room
- An indoor pool and a theatre with a popcorn machine
- Numerous software and high-tech displays
During the early years of their marriage, Melinda French Gates even considered not moving into the estate as the project was underway, adding a layer of personal history to the compound.
Gates's Extensive Real Estate Holdings in Medina
The listing underscores how much of the hillside neighborhood in Medina Gates has acquired over the past three decades. His holdings include:
- The main Xanadu 2.0 residence
- Surrounding wooded land
- Several smaller homes and lots that provide a privacy buffer along Lake Washington
Even after selling another nearby Medina property in 2024, originally listed at nearly $4.9 million, Gates remains a major individual property owner in this enclave. His residential properties are collectively valued at nearly $300 million, indicating that this latest sale is likely a minor adjustment rather than a full exit from the area.
Broader Portfolio: Farmland and National Investments
Bill Gates's Medina homes are just one part of a vast real estate portfolio that spans multiple U.S. states. Entities linked to Gates control roughly 275,000 acres of farmland across at least 17 states, making him one of America's largest private farmland owners, ranking just behind Stan Kroenke.
His agricultural holdings, managed through his Cascade Investment vehicle, include operations for corn, soy, and potatoes. In a 2023 Reddit session, Gates clarified his role, stating that he owns "less than 1/4000 of the farmland in the US" and noting that "all these decisions are made by a professional investment team." This highlights the strategic, rather than personal, nature of many of his investments.
Overall, the $4.8 million property listing near Xanadu 2.0 reflects a nuanced shift in Gates's real estate strategy, set against the backdrop of his immense and diversified holdings across the country.
