Ever since Mark Zuckerberg purchased his $10 million Dolores Heights "fixer-upper," the usually quiet neighborhood surrounding the house has been buzzing … with the sound of chainsaws. Construction has been incessant for 17 months, and according to the Chronicle, neighbors are not too pleased. However, in a town where vocal NIMBY-ism is practically an everyday occurrence, they're keeping mostly quiet about their concerns in order to avoid public conflicts with the Facebook wunderkind.
The Zuckerberg renovations include a rash of annoyances that neighbors would normally be up in arms over. Sidewalks have been torn up for new fiber-optic cables, No Parking signs have popped up along 21st Street near Dolores, and 24-hour security keeps a constant eye on the operation. But the neighbors who spoke to the Chronicle did so reluctantly, even sheepishly. As one person told the paper, "it's hard to talk about it without sounding whiny or like the wealthy need to be punished just because they have money."
All of this action is to fix up what will be for Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan practically a pied-a-terre, given that they already have quite the Palo Alto spread. However, the pair seems to be sparing no expense to ensure that their second home is top of the line.
At least 10 construction permits have been taken out for the reno. The largest, for $750,000, will give the 1920s-era home an addition on its rear and side, reconfigure landscaping and restore windows. There is also a $720,000 permit to add an office, media room, mudroom, laundry room, wine room, and wet bar, and to remodel bathrooms and the upper floors. A $25,000 permit will get the fourth floor legal for habitation, and a $65,000 permit is set to remodel the kitchen and six bathrooms. Other improvements have included a new basement garage with a high-end turntable pad to allow cars to enter and exit more easily.
· Neighbors Feeling Squeezed by Work on Mark Zuckerberg's S.F. Home [SFGate]
· Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg Upgrading Dolores Heights Digs [Curbed SF]
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