Before announcing their shocking divorce, Bill and Melinda Gates reportedly shelled out a whopping $43 million for an oceanfront estate in San Diego — the latest hot spot in California.
But it looks like Gates, 66, is the one to snag the idyllic property for his own use — and he’s customizing it to a T, local sources told The Post.
The initial six-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom estate, which spanned 5,800 square feet, has been completely demolished and locals claim it’s being rebuilt from the ground up at the direction of the Microsoft tycoon himself.
Gates has allegedly stopped by twice in the last few months with his two bulletproof suburban security details to check on the project, according to neighbors who are not happy about all the disruptions going on.
“It’s been a nuisance,” one neighbor said.
“They make a lot of noise, my baby can’t sleep,” another neighbor explained. “It’s become a real hindrance on the whole neighborhood.”
Getting permission to build in the area in the first place is a feat in itself. According to local officials, obtaining permits takes a while and is nearly impossible. But if you’re Bill Gates, with a net worth of $134 billion, nothing is really off limits.
Although Gates purchased the estate with his now-estranged ex-wife on March 27, 2020, construction did not start until the last three months.
Real estate photos taken prior to the sale of the home show the house was in perfect condition. But Gates still felt the need to gut the entire property.
“The home they purchased was in immaculate condition, not exactly sure why he would want to tear it down,” a local realtor told The Post.
The Gateses bought the home from Madeleine Pickens, the former wife of Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens. When reached by phone, Madeleine Pickens said she wished the new owners well, the Wall Street Journal first reported.
Gates is allegedly planning on using the home, located in the upscale Del Mar neighborhood, as his summer bachelor pad, according to insiders.
“When he comes, he checks the house, walks out in the front, inspects it,” one insider said.
The current 24-hour security guards who are keeping an eye on the property while it remains under construction are hoping the new house will be completed by August at the latest. But photos reveal the beginning stages of the build and it appears there is a still a long way to go.
“They are working around the clock to get it done,” the insider added.
According to the source, Gates flies six times a month into Carlsbad, which is just a short drive from his house in Rancho Santa Fe — 30 minutes from the Del Mar property.
When reached by The Post for comment, a spokesperson for Gates disputed prior reports of this property purchase in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Business Insider and numerous other outlets, saying he “does not own this property and he has never been there.”
When Gates is not in the area, he has residences in Palm Springs and Seattle.
Melinda, 57, and Gates announced they were divorcing in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage. Melinda stated in court papers that the former couple’s relationship was “irretrievably broken.” The divorce was finalized in August.
