Bill Gates' plans to expand his $109 million home have prompted speculation over the patter of tiny feet.

The Microsoft billionaire has applied to city officials in suburban Medina in Seattle to build onto the mansion to make it more liveable - including the addition of another child's bedroom.

Casa Gates, on the shores of Lake Washingon, currently spans 37,000 square feet and has parking space for 28 cars. It has 24 bathrooms, six kitchens, and a dining room that can seat 120 guests. But apparently it only has four bedrooms in the 11,500 square foot inner sanctum - the excuse being that Gates designed the pad when he was a carefree bachelor.

A couple of newswires then put two and two together, came up with five, and asked Microsoft if the extension application was due to Bill and Melinda expecting their third child.

Microsoft chose not to comment.

The construction is also expected to link the main house to its guest pavilion, make a play area for the Gates offspring, and remove a space originally set aside for a live-in nanny. ®

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