In 2012, Jack Dorsey paid $9.99 million for a San Francisco Sea Cliff home and began rebuilding within months; nearly 14 years later, he owns the house next door too, with the two properties costing $31.9 million

Jack Dorsey, San Francisco Sea Cliff neighbourhood (Canva)

For most homebuyers, buying a house means years of saving and planning a future. For Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s co-founder, buying a multimillion-dollar home overlooking the Pacific Ocean was apparently only the beginning of a project.Back in February 2012, Dorsey paid a whopping $9.99 million for a modern home in Sea Cliff, one of San Francisco’s most exclusive neighbourhoods. After buying the house, renovation work started. Now almost 14 years later, the project has evolved into an elaborate residential redevelopment, and Dorsey has added the neighbouring property to his real estate portfolio.From a $9.99 million home to a $31.9 million property portfolio

Golden Gate Bridge view (Canva)

The combined purchase price of the two properties stands at approximately $31.9 million. Yet, as a report published by the New York Post on October 13, 2026, highlights, the renovation continues to attract attention for its extraordinary duration and the construction activity.Dorsey bought the first property at 830 El Camino del Mar through a limited liability company in February 2012. As per reports, the modernist residence was built in 1965 and originally had two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It is spread across 0.59 acre and measures around 3,734 square feet.Location, the heroThe location was the main hero. Sea Cliff offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, China Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge. It is San Francisco’s most sought-after residential region for a reason. From winding streets and greenery to large private homes, everything here looks dreamy and has a character.A long-term redevelopment project

Google Maps view of the neighbourhood

However, the property became a long-term redevelopment project rather than a home. In December 2013, a major redevelopment application proposed improvements worth approximately $3.7 million.The plans included:

He got the permit for redevelopment in June 2017, nearly three and a half years after the application was filed.In 2020, another major redesign followed which included changes to the windows, courtyard, rooms and exterior finishes. Approval arrived in July 2022, but further applications continued to cover different aspects of the project.Second addition to Dorsey’s real estateThe second major addition to Dorsey’s real estate holdings came in November 2018. He purchased the neighbouring residence at 840 El Camino del Mar for $21.9 million which was built in 1962. It was a five-bedroom, three-bathroom property spread across 0.62 acre.With this purchase, Dorsey’s combined expenditure on the two properties reached about $31.9 million (excluding renovation expenses). Together, the properties occupy approximately 1.21 acres.What does the billionaire’s coastal home look like?The plans for Dorsey’s original property suggest a retreat designed around privacy, nature and wellness rather than conventional displays of luxury.The home is supposed to incorporate stonework, reclaimed redwood siding, expansive windows and three vegetation-covered roofs. There’s also a courtyard at the centre of the design, while the ocean-facing spaces make the most of the property’s coastal setting.The proposed amenities are:

Sustainability and infrastructure

Google Maps view of Dorsey’s project

The plans also include 34 solar panels, while separate applications have addressed an underground water-storage tank, retaining walls, landscaping and other building systems. The fire-protection plans call for 122 sprinklers and a dedicated 145-foot water line.The timeline raises a question. In Dorsey’s case, the answer lies in permit applications and revisions rather than one uninterrupted construction project. Also San Francisco’s coastal setting and established residential neighbourhoods provide a challenging backdrop for large-scale construction.For the moment, the story of his Sea Cliff property remains one of an exceptionally expensive home undergoing an exceptionally prolonged transformation. And in Sea Cliff, where ocean views and multimillion-dollar houses are part of the appeal, even a billionaire’s dream home has to contend with building permits and construction schedules.