Elon Musk Reportedly Staying at Lavish Austin Mansion Despite Claims of Living Modestly
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is reportedly spending a significant amount of time at a luxurious waterfront mansion in Austin, Texas, despite publicly stating that he lives in a modest $50,000 modular home at SpaceX’s Boca Chica site. The mansion, owned by his fellow PayPal co-founder Ken Howery, is situated in the exclusive Watersedge community on Lake Austin.
This sprawling 8,000-square-foot estate boasts high-end amenities that align with the extravagant lifestyle associated with billionaires. The property features a waterfront pool, jacuzzi, and private boat slip, providing a secluded and serene retreat. Originally purchased by Howery for over $12 million in 2018—setting a record for Austin’s real estate market at the time—the estate’s value has likely surged given the city’s booming property market.
Musk, who previously sold all of his California properties—including nine mansions for a combined total of $144 million—has maintained that he intends to “own no house.” This decision has been linked to his need to raise cash to exercise stock options that were nearing expiration.
Despite Howery’s claims that Musk is merely an occasional guest, the Wall Street Journal reports that Musk has been actively house-hunting in Austin, looking for a trophy property that reflects his status as one of the world’s richest individuals.
Beyond offering a lavish living space, the mansion’s location is strategically convenient, given Tesla’s headquarters now reside in Austin. With its mix of luxury and practicality, the estate serves as an ideal temporary home for Musk as he searches for a permanent residence in the area.
