10/23/2011

GATES AND FAMILY RENT SOUTH FLORIDA MANSION FOR 6 MONTHS

Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder, has rented a south Florida mansion within striking distance of the January thru April Winter Equestrian Festival.  Daughter Jennifer, age 15, owns several prize ponies and is on the Junior Circuit and it is her interest in horses that is said to have led to this choice.

The Wellington estate in the Mallet Hill area pictured above is 7,352 sq ft, has a barn, horse training area and guarded acess road.  There are 8 bedrooms, wine and media rooms.  It encompasses 5 acres.  The house was built in 1997. The community is gated.  Gates has other homes in Seattle and Wyoming.

An option to buy this mansion is said to have been for $13MM.  This rental costs $600,000 per month.  Neighbors include NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Bruce Springstein.