August 13, 2025

For years, Crescent Park in Palo Alto was just the typical nice neighborhood—quiet streets, leafy trees, happy kids biking around, and friendly neighbors. But over the last 14 years, everything changed. Why? Because Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg decided to turn this friendly area into his very own mega-compound. Since 2011, Mark and his wife Priscilla Chan have snapped up at least 11 homes on Edgewood Drive and Hamilton Avenue, dropping over $110 million to build one giant estate. They didn’t stop there. Five houses merged into one sprawling luxury palace, packing in guest houses, fancy gardens, a pickleball court, and a cool hydrofloor pool. At the heart of this estate stands a seven-foot high silver statue of Priscilla! And below the mansion? A massive 7,000 square feet underground area, neighbors jokingly call it the “billionaire’s bat cave” or “bunkers.” But this grand project has caused big headaches for locals. For eight years, heavy construction brought nonstop trucks and traffic jams. People’s parked cars got damaged, and surveillance cameras now watch neighbors’ yards. Security guards patrol public sidewalks. Many residents say they feel “occupied” and surrounded, with some homes bordered on three sides by Zuckerberg’s properties. Trouble also brews over permits and rules. One property allegedly runs an unlicensed private school for 14 kids, breaking city zoning laws. Records show Zuckerberg got 56 building permits since 2011, but critics accuse him of special favors. Attempts to demolish houses and build deep basements were rejected by the city’s Architectural Review Board. Yet, Zuckerberg’s team cleverly moved forward bit by bit to skip public hearings. Neighbors like Michael Kieschnick are fed up. Families have been pushed out. The close, community feel is vanishing, replaced by a “walled-off billionaire enclave.” Even city leaders admit Zuckerberg “found loopholes” in zoning laws, worrying many about a gated, exclusive neighborhood. Mark Zuckerberg’s spokesperson replied sharply, saying their tight security is due to “credible threats,” not to bother neighbors. They add the family loves being part of Palo Alto and tries to keep peace—like sending ice cream carts to block parties and giving gifts at big events. Still, the face of Crescent Park has changed forever. While some residents feel lost and watched, others understand the tough balance between privacy, security, and keeping a neighborhood friendly when a tech superstar calls it home. Crescent Park is no longer just a regular California suburb—it’s become a fortress of a billionaire.

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Tags: Mark zuckerberg, Palo alto, Crescent park, Real estate, Community tension, Property permits,