Mark Zuckerberg quietly purchased a 15,000-square-foot house in Washington, DC, for $23 million in cash, one of the most costly real estate transactions in the city’s history, according to Politico. The deal was so secretive that, following the sale, photos of the house allegedly “became pixelated on Google Maps.
The opulent property is in Woodland Normanstone, one of Washington’s most affluent neighborhoods, where gossip about the elusive buyer was rampant. Real estate brokers who were party to the sale had to sign non-disclosure agreements, adding to the secrecy surrounding the purchase. The house had been vacant for months before Monday, when Zuckerberg’s private plane landed at Dulles Airport, generating talk about him being in the nation’s capital.
A Meta spokesperson on Wednesday confirmed that the billionaire had, in fact, bought a home in DC after being spotted at the White House. “Mark and Priscilla have bought a house in D.C., which will enable Mark to be there more often as Meta continues the work on policy matters related to American technology leadership,” the spokesperson said.
Meta also explained that having a personal home would make Zuckerberg safer as he ramps up his presence in Washington. In the meantime, real estate observers think his action is indicative of a cultural transformation in the city.
Real estate analyst Tom Daley commented that Zuckerberg’s action is a sign of coming into alignment with the evolving scene under President Donald Trump’s leadership. “I think it’s proximity and being here,” Daley said to Politico. He further commented that Zuckerberg’s high-profile real estate investment was “the ultimate bow to the man in the White House,” drawing a comparison to the era when the Trump Hotel was a significant power hub. “To me, it’s a little reminiscent of when the Trump Hotel was the Trump Hotel. He notices who’s there. It’s an easy way to say, ‘Hey, we’re with ya. ‘Here we are.’ I’m sure he regards it as the ultimate compliment.”
