M
ark Zuckerberg's attempt to soothe his neighbors' frustration has backfired. The Meta CEO recently gifted noise-canceling headphones, sparkling wine, and Krispy Kreme donuts to the families living alongside his sprawling compound in Palo Alto, California. However, this gesture of goodwill has only amplified resentment.

    For over a decade, Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have been acquiring properties in the Crescent Park neighborhood, transforming it into a private estate worth over $110 million. The project has brought years of construction noise, blocked driveways, and heightened security surveillance.

    Critics online blasted Zuckerberg's gesture as condescending, with some calling him a "d**nozzle" and questioning how billionaires lose touch with reality. Neighbors have been vocal about the disruptions caused by the project, including constant noise, blocked driveways, flattened tires, and heavy surveillance from security guards and cameras.

    The city has facilitated the expansion by approving dozens of permits and posting tow-away signs for Zuckerberg's private events. Locals describe a sense of occupation, with one resident saying, "No neighborhood wants to be occupied, but that's exactly what they've done."

    Zuckerberg's representatives have been contacted for comment, but so far, there has been no response. The project has included guest houses, gardens, sports courts, underground bunkers, and even a private school for the couple's children.

    Neighbors are frustrated not only with Zuckerberg's actions but also with the city's handling of the situation. One resident said, "Billionaires everywhere are used to just making their own rules — Zuckerberg and Chan are not unique, except that they're our neighbors." The city's Architectural Review Board has been criticized for its leniency in approving permits, allowing the project to proceed despite past pushback.

    The properties are set in picturesque settings, but the disruptions have taken a toll on the community. A former city review board member recalled his own run-in with Zuckerberg's security while attempting to review the site. The project has become a symbol of permanence, with a statue of Chan unveiled by Zuckerberg last year at its center.