Insiders at Tesla, the multi-billionaire’s electric vehicle company, revealed that a confidential initiative called “Project 42” was underway. The project aimed to create a glass-walled building near the company’s headquarters near Austin, Texas. Internally referred to as a residence for Elon Musk, one design resembled the iconic glass structure of Apple’s Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan, featuring bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen. Another rendition portrayed a twisted hexagonal design on waterfront property with the Tesla factory as a backdrop. The plans evolved over time, with one version incorporating a waterfall feature in the landscaping and a vehicle resembling Tesla’s upcoming Cybertruck approaching the structure. Rumors within the project circle even suggested the inclusion of a museum.
A notable purchase of multimillion-dollar large-format glass panels, commonly used for building facades, prompted some Tesla employees’ attention. This purchase led to an internal inquiry by Tesla’s legal team and board members to determine whether company funds were appropriately utilized. Although discussions about potentially repurposing the glass for other uses took place, the Wall Street Journal could not verify the delivery of the glass or ascertain the current status of the project.
At present, Elon Musk resides in a rented dwelling owned by his space exploration firm in Boca Chica, Texas. This $50,000 prefabricated tiny house spans around 400 square feet and is manufactured by Boxable, a housing startup. Musk shared on Twitter in 2021, “My primary home is literally a ~$50k house in Boca Chica / Starbase that I rent from SpaceX. It’s kinda awesome though.”
Musk’s decision to relocate Tesla’s headquarters from California to Texas in recent years was influenced by the state’s absence of corporate taxes and lenient corporate regulations. Earlier this year, reports indicated that entities associated with Musk and his affiliated companies purchased up to 6,000 acres of land outside Austin to establish a town called Snailbrook. This town, planned near Musk’s tunneling company and SpaceX, will serve as accommodations for employees working at both facilities.
