Explore Bill and Melinda Gates' Brand New Home in Del Mar, California |

last updated 16 October 2020

Billionaire philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates have just snapped up this stunning beach house in the coastal town of Del Mar in California, paying £34.6 million ($43 million) in a deal that was one of the biggest the areas has ever seen.

The luxurious six-bedroom, four-bathroom oceanfront mansion was designed by world renowned architect-designer Ken Ronchetti, and has long been considered one of the most prominent coastal contemporary beach homes on the West Coast and a treasured landmark in Del Mar.

Aside from the six bedrooms, four bathrooms, kitchen, dining room and living room, the 5,800-square-foot home also comes with a home gym, health spa, mosaic-tiled pool, a 10-person jacuzzi, tennis court, greenhouse, library, office, art studio, home cinema, laundry room, dressing room, storage room, sun room, family room, 'bonus room', 'optional' extra bedrooms as well as two guesthouses and parking for seven cars.

But the highlight of this ocean front home is the 120 feet of direct (and private) ocean frontage, making this resort beach home one-of-a-kind in Del Mar.

Inside, rich wood ceilings with wood beams evoke an island-living atmosphere. Imported limestone flooring (with underfloor heating), exquisite woods and high-end carpentry add to the luxurious feel.

The home incorporates smart home tech too, with automated security, lighting, climate control systems and a keyless entry system extending to the sea wall that was designed in conjunction with oceanographic engineers from Scripps Institute.

The property also includes five working fireplaces, one of which sits in the master bedroom.

The home features plenty of space for their three children too, each room designed with the beach setting in mind.

Even in the kids' rooms there's integrated technology, from surround speakers to the wall-mounted TV.

Most of the rooms connect with the outdoor spaces, with bedrooms opening up onto beach and pool views.

Wide windows throughout the living spaces open to the back patio, creating a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

The 10-person hot tub overlooks a fire pit area and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

And all that with private beach and private sea access too.

The beach house is the latest addition to the Microsoft co-founder's portfolio of properties. The elegant home was sold to the Gates family by Madeleine Pickens, a former wife of the billionaire oil baron T. Boone Pickens, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Brian Guiltinan of The Guiltinan Group was the listing agent; Bruce V. Howard of Krone & Bushard represented the Gates. View the full listing here.

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.