Billionaire real estate investor George Marcus has lived in the same home in Los Altos Hills, California, since March 1979. He bought the 7,006-square-foot property when he was 37 years old. Marcus co-founded commercial real estate giant Marcus & Millichap.
He later built Essex Property Trust into one of the country’s largest public REITs. Despite growing his fortune into the billions, he has kept this eight-bedroom, 6.5-bathroom estate for nearly five decades.
This guide explores the George Marcus House in Los Altos Hills in detail. It also tells the story of how a Greek immigrant who arrived in America at age four built one of the nation’s most influential real estate empires.
George Marcus House Specifications
Who Is George Marcus?
George Marcus was born as George Moutsanas in 1941 in Limni, a town on the Greek island of Euboea. His family moved to the United States in 1945. They settled in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. He was just four years old at the time.
After serving in the military, Marcus earned a degree in economics from San Francisco State University in 1965. In 1971, he co-founded Marcus & Millichap with William A. Millichap. The company grew into one of the largest commercial real estate brokerages in the United States. In 1993, he founded Essex Property Trust. The company went public the following year.
Marcus is married to Judy Otten Marcus. She is also a graduate of San Francisco State University. She previously worked as a physical education teacher. The couple has four children.
George Marcus House Location
Los Altos Hills is in Santa Clara County. It sits in the hills above Silicon Valley, near Palo Alto and Stanford University. The town has no commercial districts. It also has no sidewalks. Fewer than 8,000 people live here. This gives the town a quiet and private feel. Yet it is only minutes from some of the country’s most valuable real estate and leading technology companies.
- Address: 27900 Black Mountain Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
- City: Los Altos Hills, California
- County: Santa Clara County
- Drive to Palo Alto: approximately 10 minutes
- Drive to San Jose: approximately 20 minutes
- Known for: large, mostly one-acre lots, equestrian trails, and homes set back from public view.
George Marcus House Photos
George Marcus House Exterior Tour
The estate sits well back from the road. Mature trees and the natural hillside slope provide privacy. Large lots are common in Los Altos Hills, so neighboring homes are rarely close together. George Marcus’s property follows the same pattern with deep setbacks and heavy landscaping. It offers the same sense of privacy seen at the Parker Schnabel House.
George Marcus House Interior Tour
Entrance
The entrance to the George Marcus House creates a grand first impression. A long curved driveway leads to the main entrance. Beautiful landscaping, mature trees, and elegant architecture give the property a private, welcoming feel.
Living Room
Given the scale of the property, the main living areas are spacious. They were designed to host political and philanthropic gatherings. The layout also accommodates large groups comfortably, not just a single family’s daily routine.
Bedrooms
The estate includes eight bedrooms. It gives the Marcus family plenty of space. The home comfortably fits their four children. It has also hosted extended family gatherings for decades.
Bathrooms
Six and a half bathrooms serve the home. The number suits a property of this size. The layout was built for extended family living. It also supports regular entertaining.
Kitchen
The kitchen was designed for both family living and entertaining. It offers plenty of space for meal preparation. Large work areas and quality finishes support everyday use and special gatherings. Spacious kitchens are also a highlight of the Albert Bourla House.
George Marcus House Amenities
Public details about the estate’s amenities remain limited. This reflects the privacy Marcus and his family have maintained for nearly five decades. The property has hosted high-profile gatherings. These include political fundraising events. They are linked to Marcus’s civic and philanthropic involvement in California.
George Marcus Home Architectural Style
Detailed architectural information about the estate has not been made public. Homes in Los Altos Hills often have a low-profile, understated design. They blend into the surrounding hillside terrain. The town’s zoning and lot rules favor large, private parcels.
They discourage dense or highly visible construction. This focus on privacy and timeless design is also seen in the Ridley Scott House. This likely shaped the setting of Marcus’s property when he bought it in 1979.
How Much Is the George Marcus House Worth?
The exact value of the George Marcus House is not publicly known. However, luxury estates in Los Altos Hills often command $50 million or more. The property’s large size, prime location, private setting, and high-end design all add to its value. Strong demand for luxury homes in the area also helps support these premium prices.
Buying and Ownership History of the George Marcus House
- March 1979: Marcus purchases the Los Altos Hills estate at age 37, several years before founding Essex Property Trust
- 1979–present: The property remains the family’s primary residence for over 45 years
- 2014: The home reportedly hosted a political fundraising event attended by then-President Barack Obama, according to secondary reporting not yet confirmed by a primary news source
- Present day: Marcus and his wife, Judy, continue to reside at the property
Design Inspiration of the George Marcus House
The George Marcus House blends luxury with privacy. Its wide layout creates open outdoor spaces and smooth traffic flow. A large pool, landscaped gardens, and separate guest areas add comfort. The design balances elegance with practical family living. Natural surroundings give the estate a peaceful and private feel.
George Marcus Real Estate Portfolio
Beyond his own residence, Marcus built a business empire spanning commercial brokerage, residential investment, home building, and hospitality. The tables below summarize each venture, with a detailed breakdown of each in the sections that follow.
Here is the details of George Marcus Real Estate.
| Company | Type | Founded | Status |
| Marcus & Millichap | Commercial real estate brokerage, NYSE | 1971 | Active; among the largest commercial real estate brokerages in the US |
| Essex Property Trust | Residential REIT, S&P 500, NYSE | 1993 (public 1994) | Active; tens of thousands of apartment units across the West Coast |
| SummerHill Homes | Residential home builder, Bay Area | Spun out of Marcus & Millichap | Active; one of the Bay Area’s established home builders |
Marcus & Millichap
Founded in 1971 alongside William A. Millichap, Marcus & Millichap is a publicly traded commercial real estate brokerage listed on the NYSE. It remains active today as one of the largest commercial real estate brokerages in the United States.
Essex Property Trust
Marcus founded Essex Property Trust in 1993, and the company went public in 1994 as a residential real estate investment trust listed on both the NYSE and the S&P 500. It remains active today, managing tens of thousands of apartment units across the West Coast.
SummerHill Homes
SummerHill Homes is a residential home builder that spun out of Marcus & Millichap. It remains active today as one of the established home builders in the Bay Area.
Restaurants details of George Marcus
You can also check the detail of his restaurants in California.
| Restaurant | Location | Opened | Status |
| Kokkari Estiatorio | San Francisco, CA | 1998 | Active; widely regarded as one of San Francisco’s leading Greek restaurants |
| Evvia Estiatorio | Palo Alto, CA | 1995 | Active |
Kokkari Estiatorio
Kokkari Estiatorio is a Greek restaurant in San Francisco, California, that Marcus co-owns alongside his wife, Judy, and close friends. Opened in 1998, it remains active today and is widely regarded as one of San Francisco’s leading Greek restaurants.
Evvia Estiatorio
Evvia Estiatorio is a second Greek restaurant venture from the Marcus family, located in Palo Alto, California. It opened in 1995 and remains active today.
Beyond these companies, Marcus has also been linked to other private real estate ventures, including Pacific Urban Residential, Meridian Property Company, and Hanover Financial.
George and Judy Marcus’s Philanthropy
The Marcus family has given generously to education, religion, and the arts across the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2018, George and Judy Marcus donated $25 million to San Francisco State University. It was the largest single gift in the school’s history.
The donation followed a $1.8 million athletics gift in 2017. In 2017, they also gave $1 million to the Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. In 2020, they donated $2 million toward rebuilding St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at the World Trade Center.
Final Thoughts
The George Marcus house in Los Altos Hills reflects a philosophy that’s rare among billionaires: buy once, and stay. Marcus purchased the property in 1979, years before his real estate ventures made him a billionaire, and never traded up despite decades of growing wealth. For a man who built his fortune studying property markets professionally, that decision says as much about his values as any square footage or amenity list could.
FAQs
Q. Where does George Marcus live?
He lives in Los Altos Hills, California, in a home he purchased in March 1979.
Q. How big is George Marcus’s house?
The property spans approximately 7,006 square feet, with eight bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms.
Q. What companies did George Marcus found?
He co-founded Marcus & Millichap in 1971 and later founded Essex Property Trust in 1993.
Q. Where was George Marcus born?
He was born George Moutsanas in Limni, Greece, in 1941, and immigrated to the United States at age four.
