Xanadu 2.0, the $130 million lakefront mansion designed by Bill Gates using Macintosh computers – The Microsoft founder’s 66,000-square-foot Washington residence has seven bedrooms, twenty-four bathrooms, six kitchens, two hidden bookcases, and a hidden bar.

The intense rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, the respective founders of Apple and Microsoft, is legendary; it laid the foundation for the modern technology industry. The love-hate relationship between the two mega-personalities spanned more than 30 years, evolving from cautious collaborators to acrimonious rivals to close friends with a great deal of mutual respect. During the height of their dispute in the 1990s, they frequently resorted to insulting each other in public, with the insults being primarily personal in nature. Jobs and Gates were excessively critical of each other’s work during that time period, as they fought for industry dominance. However, rumors circulated in the late 1990s that the Microsoft founder’s $130 million lakefront estate was designed on Macs rather than Windows-powered PCs, which was viewed as a significant embarrassment for Gates.

Designing the ideal embarrassmentAccording to a 1999 article published by Archintosh, the rumor was believed to have been begun by a UPS driver who delivered packages to the architectural firm that designed Gates’ Xanadu 2.0 mansion in Washington. The 66,000-square-foot property was designed by James Cutler Architects and the award-winning architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (BCJ) and was named after the fictional residence of Charles Foster Kane, the protagonist of “Citizen Kane.” Back then, BCJ was renowned for using only Macintosh computers in all of its facilities across the United States. According to a report, the company’s Macintosh CAD systems were established in the 1980s, and it became one of the largest MicroStation Mac consumers within a short period of time.

The architectural and engineering industries employ MicroStation, a CAD software platform. This practice dates back to the 1980s. In the 1990s, the software was available for Macintosh platforms. However, the most recent versions of the software are only compatible with Microsoft Windows. Apple Computer sold the Macintosh Quadra 700 from October 1991 to March 1993, and it was capable of operating the software.

The Apple Quadra 700 was the first computer to be introduced with a mini-tower form factor. It was priced at $5,700 (approximately $12,500) when it was released. The specifications included a Motorola 68040 processor, 68 MB of RAM, and either an 80 or 160 MB hard drive.

Unsubstantiated rumor or difficult-to-understand fact?Was Gates’ ideal home in Medina, Washington, which overlooks Lake Washington, designed using Macintosh computers? The architects who worked for Bohlin Cywinski Jackson at the time claimed that the megaproject was almost exclusively hand-drawn, which was common practice in those days. Almost every component of the exceedingly complex design was hand-drawn on sheets using conventional techniques. However, it appears that the garage section of the mansion was modeled in ModelShop by the BCJ architects working on the project.

However, there is no information regarding the computers or tools utilized by James Cutler Architects for this endeavor. Working closely with BCJ, they were likely influenced to use Macintosh computers for the design work. Who can say? However, Macs were utilized in the design of Gates’ mansion, albeit in a very limited capacity.

Xanadu 2.0 – an architectural miracle and a technological masterpieceBill Gates’ enormous mansion in Medina, which overlooks Lake Washington, is regarded as one of the priciest residences in the world. In 2009, with a total assessed value of $147.5 million, the billionaire was charged a whopping $1 million in property tax on a home presently estimated to be worth $130 million. The luxurious home was created at a cost of $63 million and with the assistance of more than 300 construction workers over the course of seven years.

In addition to seven distinct varieties of stones, more than 500,000 wood logs were utilized in the construction. In 1988, Gates paid $2 million for the original parcel of land on which the mansion was constructed. Subsequently, he spent an additional $14 million to acquire adjoining property to ensure ample privacy.

In addition to being an architectural marvel, the Pacific Lodge-themed home is also a technological masterpiece. One of the highlights is a high-tech system that monitors an array of sensors to control the temperature and illumination within the rooms.

Guests are also provided with a pin-like device that stores their personal preferences, such as their preferable temperature, lighting, and music. Several of the mansion’s interior walls are fitted with special screens that display photographs, paintings, and even high-end art.

A forty-year-old maple tree is continuously monitored by a computer. The tree is mechanically watered when the computer detects that it has become too parched. The majority of fundamental functions within the residences are also performed autonomously. It is fair to say that Gates’ mansion is the world’s smartest residence.

Despite being 66,000 square feet in size, the mansion has only seven chambers, which is somewhat surprising. There are six kitchens and twenty-four restrooms, ten of which contain bathtubs. The reception hall is so spacious that up to 200 visitors can be accommodated. On one of the walls is a massive 22-foot video screen, along with a 6-foot-wide limestone fireplace.

A 60-foot swimming pool has its own 3,900-square-foot building with amenities such as an underwater audio system and a fossil-themed floor. There is also a glass wall that can be swum under to access the outdoor terrace.

Multiple garages on the property are used by Gates to store his automobile collection. The most notable is the subterranean garage, which is constructed of concrete and stainless steel and can accommodate up to ten vehicles. The enormous 2,100-square-foot personal library contains a Leonardo da Vinci manuscript from the 16th century that is valued at $30.8 million.

The hotel also features a steam chamber, sauna, and a 25,000-square-foot fitness center. However, one of the most outlandish aspects of Xanadu 2.0 is that each year, a barge transports sand from St. Lucia to the lakefront. Melinda, the ex-wife of the industrialist, never considered Xanadu 2.0 as her permanent residence. What a pity!