 "What the Zuck? Why Mark Zuckerberg’s neighbours are angry with him")
Majestic oak, magnolia and redwood trees shaded historic homes occupied by doctors, lawyers, business leaders and academics from nearby Stanford University.
The Crescent Park area of Palo Alto, California was known for its neighbourly warmth, block parties brimming with families, and the sound of children cycling from yard to yard.
That atmosphere has shifted dramatically in recent years — and many residents point to one man’s presence as the reason, reported The New York Times.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who moved to the area with his wife Priscilla Chan more than 14 years ago, has spent over a decade purchasing property on just two streets.
His expansion has changed both the physical landscape and the social character of the neighbourhood. While some see his investments as a matter of private choice, others argue they have eroded the fabric of Crescent Park.
From one home to an extensive property network
Zuckerberg’s introduction to Crescent Park began in 2011 with the purchase of a 5,600-square-foot house on Edgewood Drive — noted by the local heritage society as the oldest home in Palo Alto.
Located just three miles from Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park, the property became the nucleus of what would later expand into a multi-house compound.
Within a few years, he began acquiring additional nearby residences. Between 2012 and 2013, four more houses were purchased for more than $40 million, creating an L-shaped cluster around his initial home.
The expansion paused for a time but resumed in 2022, with six more properties bought in quick succession — four of them within a 15-month window.
Public records and local accounts suggest that at least 11 homes are now owned by Zuckerberg or through limited liability companies linked to him, each using distinctive nature-themed names such as Pine Burrow and Seed Breeze, reported The New York Times.
Sellers are frequently asked to sign nondisclosure agreements, and some report being approached directly with offers significantly above market value — sometimes double or triple the going rate.
One homeowner is said to have accepted $14.5 million.
Construction that changed the neighbourhood
Over the past eight years, the properties have undergone extensive changes. Several houses were demolished and replaced with smaller structures featuring large basements, courtyards, gardens, and recreational spaces.
Other renovations included filling in swimming pools to create open lawns and constructing facilities such as a pickleball court, a guesthouse, and a pool with a movable hydrofloor for safety or event use.
Beneath the main home and adjoining buildings lies approximately 7,000 square feet of additional space.
Officially described in permits as basements, these underground areas are referred to by some residents as “bunkers” or even “a billionaire’s bat cave.”
The complex also features a seven-foot statue of Priscilla Chan in a silver robe, commissioned by Zuckerberg last year.
Mark Zuckerberg commissions an artist to create a sculpture of his wife, Priscilla Chan pic.twitter.com/vVzIDEpIQH
— Women Posting W's (@womenpostingws) August 14, 2024
Several buildings are connected by landscaped paths and high hedges, ensuring privacy and creating what some neighbours describe as a closed-off enclave in the middle of their once-open community.
Community concerns over disruption
Neighbours say the transformation of these properties has brought constant disturbance. Construction work has filled the streets with large vehicles, blocked driveways, and in some cases, damaged residents’ cars.
According to local accounts, debris from building activities has caused flat tyres, and heavy machinery manoeuvring on narrow streets has clipped mirrors from parked vehicles.
Michael Kieschnick, a long-time resident whose Hamilton Avenue home is now bordered on three sides by Zuckerberg-owned houses, summed up the frustration shared by many, telling The New York Times_,_ “No neighborhood wants to be occupied. But that’s exactly what they’ve done. They’ve occupied our neighborhood.”
While construction activity has lessened in recent months, residents expect more development in the future. Several note that public streets are sometimes repurposed for Zuckerberg’s private needs.
On one occasion, police-installed tow-away signs were placed along trees for a Wednesday evening, preventing residents from parking in front of their own homes.
Kieschnick later learned the measure was to accommodate a backyard barbecue hosted by Zuckerberg, with the city’s dignitary protection officer assigned to assist.
A private school? Use of properties beyond residential purposes
One of the houses in the network has reportedly been used for the past few years as a private school for 14 children. The arrangement involved six staff members, including four teachers, operating out of the property.
Such use is not permitted under local residential zoning regulations, and neighbours have complained to the city about the apparent violation.
To date, residents say little has been done to address the situation.
Other buildings have served as event venues, including entertainment spaces for outdoor gatherings.
Local accounts describe regular deliveries of food, decorations, and furniture for parties, which sometimes involve valet parking and attendees in formal wear or themed costumes.
Zuckerberg and Chan’s own wedding took place on the property, and social media posts have shown the couple hosting themed events, such as an October disco party.
Surveillance & security measures
Several neighbours have described seeing cameras positioned in ways that capture parts of their own properties. Security personnel stationed in vehicles reportedly monitor foot traffic, filming some visitors and questioning others walking along public sidewalks.
here are 3 pics of houses in Palo Alto from google maps. 1 is Mark Zuckerberg's house. 2 are his neighbors. Can you guess which is which? He sure seems to value his privacy! pic.twitter.com/iCgWcQ7lnQ
— Derp State (@EricVictorino) June 2, 2020
Zuckerberg’s spokesperson, Aaron McLear, maintains that such measures are necessary due to “specific, credible threats” to Meta’s chief executive. He told The New York Times that the cameras are not aimed at neighbours’ homes and are adjusted when concerns are raised.
According to McLear, the family takes steps to minimise impact on the community, including giving advance notice of events, reimbursing staff for ride shares to limit on-street parking, and providing a direct contact for reporting issues.
“Mark, Priscilla and their children have made Palo Alto their home for more than a decade,” McLear said.
“They value being members of the community and have taken a number of steps above and beyond any local requirements to avoid disruption in the neighbourhood.”
Perceived preferential treatment from the city
Critics argue that the City of Palo Alto has been overly accommodating toward Zuckerberg. In 2016, his proposal to demolish four homes and replace them with smaller structures and large basements was denied by the city’s Architectural Review Board.
Despite this, neighbours say the plan was effectively implemented over time through individual permits.
The city’s online permit system shows 56 permits linked to his properties, covering demolitions, remodels, landscaping, and specialised installations such as wine storage and a pool house.
Residents also express concern that city authorities and local police appear to give the billionaire preferential treatment. The parking restrictions for his barbecue and the use of city officers for event support are among examples cited by neighbours as evidence of this deference.
“Billionaires everywhere are used to just making their own rules — Zuckerberg and Chan are not unique, except that they’re our neighbors,” Kieschnick said.
“But it’s a mystery why the city has been so feckless.”
What Crescent Park used to be like
Before Zuckerberg’s arrival, Crescent Park was known for its vibrant social life. Annual block parties drew large turnouts, and neighbours frequently interacted.
Today, residents say such gatherings have dwindled. The high hedges surrounding Zuckerberg’s compound create physical and symbolic separation, and many neighbours report rarely seeing him or his family.
Kieschnick recalls that when Zuckerberg purchased the house next door, staff insisted the shared wooden fence with a small gate for children did not meet “Facebook standards.”
The fence was rebuilt twice, each time taller and more solid, until it fully obstructed the shared access.
By chance a few days ago I walked past Mark Zuckerberg's house in Palo Alto. You can't see a thing for the gloomy dense hedge of trees, like a Victorian cemetery. pic.twitter.com/eQHdJjF6YP
— Nicholas Shakespeare (@dolphinsands) January 7, 2025
In another incident, Kieschnick said security cameras were placed in Zuckerberg’s garden with a direct view into his own yard — and were only removed when he threatened to install cameras facing back.
Zuckerberg’s gestures to smooth relations
The Zuckerberg household has made occasional goodwill gestures. Security personnel have transitioned to using electric vehicles instead of noisier petrol cars.
During particularly disruptive work, neighbours have received gift baskets containing sparkling wine, chocolates, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and in one case, noise-cancelling headphones.
At a recent block party — a much smaller event than in previous years — Zuckerberg did not attend but sent an ice cream cart for attendees, reported The New York Times.
Zuckerberg’s consolidation of property in Crescent Park mirrors a broader trend among tech billionaires who use their wealth to shape residential areas to their liking.
Jeff Bezos, for instance, staged his wedding in Venice after sending his fiancée and others into space, while Elon Musk has built a residential compound in Texas for his children and their mothers. Marc Benioff has acquired substantial land in Hawaii.
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