In the United States, billionaires have increasingly been buying up neighboring plots to create vast gated estates. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported this on July 13, citing a report by Coldwell Banker.

The new phenomenon has been dubbed “landmaxxing” — the drive to maximize landholdings through the purchase of additional acreage. According to the report, in the first five months of 2026, the number of inquiries about buying luxury real estate in the United States doubled compared with last year.

Demand for development plots rose 97% year over year, while interest in private islands and estates more than doubled.

According to Coldwell Banker Realty agent Danny Hertzberg, wealthy buyers often purchase neighboring land to house staff, lay out gardens, or build docks. In addition, this helps clients completely “shield themselves from neighbors.” America’s ultra-rich also view such investments as a way to protect their capital.

“Right now, this (buying entire blocks) is far more in demand than a single 4,000-square-meter home. For some, it’s a matter of privacy and security. For others, it’s protection against inflation,” Hertzberg said.

As an example, the newspaper cites Green For Life founder Patrick Dovigi, who last year bought three waterfront plots for nearly $49 million to build a gym, a spa complex, and a padel court.

Among well-known adherents of landmaxxing, WSJ names Amazon owner Jeff Bezos, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, and Citadel LLC investment fund head Kenneth Griffin. These entrepreneurs are actively buying up neighboring properties to create isolated private compounds.