Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2005/11/02/duffield_mansion/

Ex-PeopleSoft chief's Kubla Khan thwarted

No justice

By Ashlee Vance

Posted in Bootnotes, 2nd November 2005 22:57 GMT

Heart wrenching news from Northern California, where former PeopleSoft chief David Duffield has been forced to give up plans to build a 72,000 square-foot mansion in Alamo, Ca, a suburb near San Francisco.

The software executive's estate spans 22-acres, and he intended to erect a massive house, a horse stable, two swimming pools and, wait for it, a 20-car garage. The layout makes the Hearst Castle look like something reserved for Bill Gates' pool boy. In fact, as the San Francisco Chronicle notes, at 72,000 square feet it's larger than both the Hearst Castle (60,635) or Gates' own mansion (40,000).

But a group of pesky neighbors got together and complained when they caught word of Duffield's Superhome plans.

A total of 230 jealous Alamo residents whined in a petition that this House of Magnificent Proportions would be out of place in the neighborhood. My how the rich can cry when they're being shown up.

Duffield will submit new plans for his digs within a month. We're hoping for a palace twice the size. ®