Mark Zuckerberg gifts noise-canceling headphones to his Palo Alto neighbors as a peace offering to diffuse tension

Meta CEO

Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly gifted noise-cancelling headphones to his neighbours in Palo Alto. According to a New York Times report, the move came after years of complaints over nonstop construction and disruptions linked to his growing residential compound in the Crescent Park area. As per the report, Zuckerberg has spent more than $110 million over the past 14 years buying at least 11 homes on Edgewood Drive and Hamilton Avenue. Neighbours say the once-quiet area, home to lawyers, executives and Stanford professors, has turned into a zone of construction equipment, noise and lavish parties. While some of the properties remain empty in a region that is already facing acute housing shortage, others have been turned into guest houses, gardens, a pool with a hydrofloor, a pickleball court and even a short-lived private school for Mark Zuckerberg’s children. Beneath the compound, the Meta CEO has also built around 7,000 square feet of underground space, which some locals compare to a “billionaire’s bat cave.”

Mark Zuckerberg’s gifts fails to calm neighbours

Reportedly, the noise cancelling headphones was among several gifts that Mark Zuckerberg gave to his neighbours in order to appease them. He had also gifted bottles of sparkling wine and boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. But, none of them have been effective. Zuckerberg’s neighbours say the gestures have done little to offset frustrations over blocked streets, debris, constant noise and heavy security patrols.neighbours say the gestures have done little to offset frustrations over blocked streets, debris, constant noise and heavy security patrols.

Not first property dispute

This is not Mark Zuckerberg’s first clash with neighbours. He also owns properties outside Palo Alto, including a 2,300-acre estate in Kauai, Hawaii, which has sparked local controversy, as well as homes in Lake Tahoe and Washington, D.C.In 2016, Palo Alto officials rejected his plan to demolish four houses and replace them with new buildings and large basements. Though the proposal was denied, Zuckerberg reportedly carried out similar construction in smaller steps to avoid stricter approvals.