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Elon Musk—who famously tweeted in 2020 that, after selling off his California estate, he would "own no house"—may be putting down roots after all. The Tesla executive has reportedly been in the process of building an all-glass home through a secret company project near Austin, Texas, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Plans for the construction of what is apparently known as "Project 42" have evolved since they were first drawn up last year. One concept featured a building shaped like a twisted hexagon, with waterfront views and Tesla's factory nearby. Other renderings highlighted a big glass box "with a residential area that appeared to include bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen," the newspaper stated.
Some Tesla employees were reportedly concerned after an order was placed for millions of dollars of large-format glass panels, which allegedly resulted in an internal investigation by Tesla lawyers and board members into the potential misuse of company resources. But, according to the WSJ, both the outcome of Tesla's investigation and the status of the project are unknown.
Musk has long been vocal about his lack of desire for a permanent residence, noting that he's slept at the offices of his companies and in friends' spare bedrooms. In 2021, he revealed that he rents a $50,000 prefab tiny house in Boca Chica, Texas, from his company SpaceX.
Should Musk go through with the whole glass house concept, the billionaire would draw even more resemblances to his fictional counterpart in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery who lives in a glass structure. (Is this a case of life imitating art that imitates life?) And while a glass home certainly gives off a futuristic vibe that feels on brand for Musk, living in a glass structure can certainly have its drawbacks. Apart from the lack of privacy, glass doesn't offer any insulation—meaning the material can lead to uncomfortable temperatures during extreme weather. Plus, the lack of curtains or shades can expose furniture and fabrics to the sun's rays, potentially causing fading and discoloration. Not to mention, a see-through structure makes it harder to fend off burglars. Finally, of course, you know what they say about people who live in glass houses: They shouldn't throw stones.
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Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine. She’s been with the team for nearly three years, attending industry events and covering a range of topics. When she’s not watching every new TV show and movie, she’s browsing vintage home stores, admiring hotel interiors, and wandering around New York City. She previously worked for Delish and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
