Zuckerberg's Home Improvement Irks Neighbors, 'Under Siege' in Own Homes

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s 17-month-long, seven-figure home improvement project has become such a nuisance to his neighbors in San Francisco that many feel as if they are “under siege” in their own homes, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Zuckerberg bought a $10 million, 1920’s “fixer-upper” one block from Dolores Park in San Francisco in late 2012, and has reportedly been working on upgrading it ever since. However, the constant presence of contractors and construction noise and the inability to park in front of their own homes has Zuckerberg’s neighbors feeling frustrated.

“This is nothing short of a fortress,” one neighbor told the Chronicle.

According to the report, contractors working on Zuckerberg’s home have secured no less than ten construction permits from the city, totaling millions of dollars. Among them: a $750,000 permit for additions to the rear and side of the house, $720,000 for the construction of an office, media room, mud room, laundry room, and wet bar, as well as remodeling, and $65,000 for the remodeling of the kitchen and six bathrooms. 

Supervisor Scott Weiner, who represents the district where the home is located, told the Chronicle he has received complaints from residents about the noise and lack of parking. Weiner said he referred the annoyed neighbors to the Department of Public Works. 

“It’s a common concern by neighbors because so many construction projects are going on everywhere in the city,” Weiner said in the report. 

The project’s lead contractor, who declined to provide his name to the Chronicle, agreed.

“If this was over in Pacific Heights, people wouldn’t be saying it,” he said.

Still, the construction has seemingly disrupted, however slightly, the daily routines of people in the neighborhood. According to the lead contractor on the project, “40 to 50” workers have been on the job daily since April 2013, when construction began. A security team is also reportedly overseeing the project “round-the-clock.”

One neighbor told the Chronicle the problems are “real,” but tough to talk about.

“It’s hard to talk about it without sounding whiny or like the wealthy need to be punished just because they have money,” the neighbor said.