Microsoft founder Bill Gates‘ enormous mansion in Medina, Washington has long been a talking point in real estate circles. However, the Microsoft billionaire’s Medina home is not the focus of this blog post. There is talk that Gates and his family are looking to fly to Florida this winter. We have read several reports about this development. According to some reports that quote South Florida real estate insider Jose Lambiet, the Microsoft founder is shelling out $600,000 to rent a home in Wellington, Florida this winter. And of course, Gates being Gates, the mansion is not just another temporary dig. The house at 13,808 Fairlane Court is a fully furnished, elaborate and luxurious home.
So why is Gates renting this piece of Florida luxury real estate? The main reason for the move lies in his daughter Jennifer’s interest in jumping horses. Apparently, the young Miss Gates is a budding horse jumper on the junior circuit with a number of prized ponies. She is all set to participate in the upcoming Winter Equestrian Festival to be held at West Palm Beach. The winter move to the rental property should provide adequate support to Jennifer. Reports have it that the Florida luxury real estate that Gates will be renting offers a December to May rental deal. Moreover, the home is available for buying as well. Whether Gates bites the ownership bait only time – and perhaps, 15-year-old Jennifer’s showing in the equestrian festival – will tell. Not all luxury vacation rentals are for sale, but this particular Wellington home has already been listed at $12.999 million.
The expansive Florida luxury home is spread out over a whopping 7,352 square feet. If you ask me, that is more than enough space for the Gates family, which includes Bill and Melinda Gates and their three children – Jennifer Katharine, Rory John and Phoebe Adele. But look beyond the main residence and you will find the primary attraction for the Gates family. This 5-acre Florida luxury home is set on a large property that also houses a barn, stables and a horse training area. That should provide Jennifer with all the practice space she needs to better her skills as a horse jumper. Moreover, the property itself is only a short walk away from the highly regarded Palm Beach Equestrian Center.
The neighborhood appears to be quite popular among prominent horse jumping families. Gates will have a pretty high-profile neighbor in New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. Mayor Bloomberg was also drawn to the area because his daughter Georgina is also a horse jumper, and is proving to be quite the rising star. The Bloomberg home is largely used by Georgina herself.
Reports have quoted sources as saying that Gates asked his representatives to look for suitable homes all over Wellington in September 2011. Apparently, the Fairlaine Court home had more to recommend it than most of the other properties. The house is located within a secure neighborhood with only about 20 neighbors. Plus, only a single guarded access road leads up to the house, promising privacy and security. Last year, even singer Madonna considered buying the property before settling for a horse farm in The Hamptons.
Via: Realtor.com, GossipExtra
