George Marcus lives in Los Altos Hills, California, a quiet and private town in Santa Clara County above Silicon Valley. He bought his home in March 1979 at age 37 and has lived there with his wife, Judy Otten Marcus, ever since.
The George Marcus house is about 7,006 sq ft and has eight bedrooms. It sits on a private hillside road, surrounded by large lots and peaceful streets.
Marcus built Marcus & Millichap into a leading commercial real estate company. His home reflects the same long-term thinking. He bought it early in his career and has kept it for nearly five decades.
I’m Ramon Weber, and I study the houses of public figures. Now, explore George Marcus’s California home and learn why he has stayed in Los Altos Hills for so many years.
Who Is George Marcus?
George Marcus was born George Moutsanas in Limni, Greece, in 1941. His family moved to San Francisco when he was four.
After military service, he earned an economics degree from San Francisco State University. In 1971, he co-founded Marcus & Millichap in Palo Alto. The firm grew into one of America’s largest commercial real estate brokerages. He also served in several education leadership roles in California.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | George M. Marcus (born George Moutsanas) |
| Born | 1941, Limni, Euboea (Evia), Greece |
| Age (2026) | 84 or 85, depending on birth date |
| Nationality | Greek-American |
| Immigration | Moved to the United States in 1945, age 4 |
| Raised In | Potrero Hill, San Francisco, California |
| Education | B.S. Economics, San Francisco State University, 1965 |
| Further Education | Harvard Business School OPM Program; Georgetown Leadership Program |
| Brokerage Founded | Marcus & Millichap was co-founded in 1971 with William A. Millichap |
| REIT Founded | Essex Property Trust, founded in 1993, public REIT since 1994 |
| Other Ventures | SummerHill Homes, Pacific Urban Residential, Meridian Property Co., Hanover Financial |
| Religion | Greek Orthodox |
| Wife | Judy Otten Marcus; the two grew up in the same Potrero Hill neighborhood and married in the mid-1960s, after George completed military service and finished his degree |
| Children | Four |
| UC Regent | University of California Regent, 2000 to 2012 |
| CSU Trustee | California State University Trustee in the 1980s, later a CSU Foundation board member |
| Forbes Rank | No. 2600 on Forbes’ 2026 Billionaires list |
Where Does George Marcus Live Now, in 2026?
As of 2026, George Marcus lives in Los Altos Hills, California. He bought his home in March 1979 at age 37 and has kept it as his long-term residence ever since.
The property has also hosted Democratic fundraising events. In 2014, President Barack Obama attended an event at the Marcus home.
George Marcus House Location
George Marcus lives in Los Altos Hills, a private Silicon Valley town in Santa Clara County near Palo Alto.
- City: Los Altos Hills, California
- County: Santa Clara County
- Region: Silicon Valley, San Francisco Bay Area
- Population: Under 8,000 residents
- Drive to Palo Alto: About 10 minutes
- Drive to San Jose: About 20 minutes
- Known for: Large one-acre lots, equestrian trails, no sidewalks, and homes hidden from public roads
Inside the George Marcus House in Los Altos Hills
I found a home built around privacy, not attention. George Marcus’s Los Altos Hills property sits behind a private hillside road, surrounded by large lots and quiet streets. The 7,006 sq ft house has eight bedrooms and offers the calm, space, and seclusion that fit his long life in Silicon Valley.
Now, take a closer look at the home features and property that make this quiet estate stand out.
The Exterior
The George Marcus house sits back from the road in the hills of Los Altos Hills. Tall trees, large lots, and sloping land keep much of the property out of view. The setting feels quiet, private, and far from attention.
The Living Area
Its size gives the family room to relax and welcome guests. The property has hosted notable visitors over the years, so it likely includes comfortable spaces for gatherings.
The Kitchen
In a home this size, the kitchen likely connects with the dining and living areas. It would give the family space for daily meals and make hosting guests easier.
The Bedroom
The house has eight bedrooms. This gives the family plenty of private space and room for overnight guests. The bedrooms also provide a quiet break from the main living areas.
The Home Office
George Marcus built a major real estate business, so a home office would fit naturally in the house. One room may have served as a private space for calls, meetings, and daily work. The exact office layout remains private.
The Outdoor Space
The property sits in a hillside area known for oak trees and open land. The outdoor space likely offers room to sit outside, enjoy the views, and spend time with guests.
Why George Marcus Has Stayed in Los Altos Hills for Nearly 50 Years
George Marcus built his career on understanding real estate markets. Whatever kept him from moving after 1979, it was not a lack of means — he has been a billionaire for decades.
- Built for privacy: Los Altos Hills has no stores, commercial areas, or heavy traffic. Its quiet streets and large lots suit a private life.
- Close to work: Palo Alto, San Francisco, Stanford University, and major Bay Area business centers are all nearby.
- A smart long-term choice: George Marcus bought the home in 1979, before Silicon Valley property values rose sharply over time.
- A family home: George and Judy Marcus raised their four children here. The home also keeps them close to their charitable work across the Bay Area.
- giving.
Other prominent executives have made similar choices to stay in one home for decades rather than trade up as their wealth grew — a pattern documented across many long-tenured business leaders, not unique to Marcus.
George Marcus Real Estate Portfolio in 2026
George Marcus built a real estate portfolio that includes commercial brokerage, apartment communities, home building, and property finance. Marcus & Millichap and Essex Property Trust are publicly traded companies.
His private businesses include SummerHill Homes, Pacific Urban Residential, Meridian Property Company, and Hanover Financial. He also co-owns Kokkari Estiatorio and Evvia Estiatorio with his wife, Judy Marcus, and close friends.
George Marcus Net Worth in 2026
According to Forbes’ 2026 Billionaires list, George Marcus has an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion, ranking him No. 2600 globally.
Most of his wealth comes from his estimated 35 percent ownership stake in Marcus & Millichap, the commercial real estate company he helped build.
| Source | Figure |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (Forbes, 2026) | $1.4 billion |
| Forbes Global Rank | No. 2600 (2026) |
| Primary Wealth Source | Marcus & Millichap stake (~35 percent ownership) |
| MMI Market Cap | Approximately $1.1–1.2 billion in late 2025 |
| Self-Made | Yes — immigrated at age 4, no inherited wealth |
Beyond the House: George and Judy Marcus’s Philanthropy
George and Judy Marcus support many causes across the San Francisco Bay Area. Their giving includes education, religion, the arts, and open space protection.
In 2018, they gave $25 million to San Francisco State University, the largest single gift in the school’s history. Despite their impact, the couple keeps their philanthropy quiet and low-key.
| Year | Donation | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $25 million | San Francisco State University — George and Judy Marcus Hall for the Liberal and Creative Arts |
| 2017 | $1.8 million | SFSU athletics scholarship fund |
| 2017 | $1 million | Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology |
| 2020 | $2 million | St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church reconstruction, World Trade Center, New York |
| 2014–2016 (reported) | Multi-million dollar total | Democratic Party political contributions — exact year-by-year figures vary by source |
| Ongoing | Ongoing | UCSF Foundation Board, de Young Museum, Peninsula Open Space Trust |
Final Thoughts
After looking at George Marcus’s house, it is easy to understand why he stayed there for so long. The setting offers quiet, privacy, and space while keeping him close to the Bay Area communities that shaped his life.
His journey adds more meaning to that choice. Marcus came to the United States as a child, built a major real estate career, and later gave back through education, the arts, faith, and local causes.
For George and Judy Marcus, this home seems to represent more than success. It reflects family, stability, and a lasting connection to one place.
The George Marcus house stays private by design. Yet its story shows that a long-held home can become part of a person’s legacy. If you are thinking about what makes a home truly lasting, our design team can help you create a space with the same sense of purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has George Marcus lived in Los Altos Hills?
George Marcus has lived in Los Altos Hills for more than 47 years. He purchased the property in March 1979, and it appears to remain his primary home.
How much is George Marcus’s house worth in 2026?
No recent public sale price or appraisal is available for the home. Its value is likely high because Los Altos Hills has limited housing supply, large lots, and expensive real estate.
Who is George Marcus?
George Marcus is a Greek American real estate billionaire and co-founder of Marcus & Millichap. He also founded Essex Property Trust and helped build several other real estate companies.
What is George Marcus’s net worth in 2026?
Forbes lists George Marcus as a billionaire, but net worth estimates can change often. Check his current Forbes profile for the latest reported figure.
Who is George Marcus’s wife?
George Marcus is married to Judy Otten Marcus. She is a former physical education teacher and a San Francisco State University graduate.
Did President Obama visit George Marcus’s house?
The Los Altos Hills are home to Democratic fundraising events. Some secondary sources mention a 2014 visit by President Barack Obama, but this detail needs confirmation from a primary news source.
What companies did George Marcus found?
George Marcus co-founded Marcus & Millichap in 1971 with William A. Millichap. He also founded Essex Property Trust and supported companies including SummerHill Homes and Pacific Urban Residential.
Where was George Marcus born?
George Marcus was born in Limni, Greece, in 1941. He moved to the United States at age four and grew up in San Francisco.
How much has George Marcus donated to charity?
George and Judy Marcus have donated tens of millions of dollars to education, health care, religion, the arts, and open space projects. In 2018, they gave $25 million to San Francisco State University.
What is Los Altos Hills known for?
Los Altos Hills is a small, wealthy town in Santa Clara County. It is known for large one-acre lots, no commercial streets, equestrian trails, and private homes hidden from public roads.
