Have you ever wondered where billionaires live? Tom Golisano, the founder of Paychex and a well-known philanthropist, owns some truly amazing homes. From a stunning mansion in Victor, NY, to his current waterfront estate in Naples, Florida, Inside Tom Golisano House tells the story of his success. Similar to other wealthy entrepreneurs like Mark Cuban, Golisano’s choice of real estate reflects both his financial success and personal taste. In this article, we’ll take you on a tour of these incredible properties, exploring their unique features, history, and what makes them special.
Get ready for an inside look at how one of America’s most successful businessmen lives.
The Man Behind the Mansions
Before we explore his impressive houses, it’s important to understand who Tom Golisano is. Born in 1941, Golisano is the founder and former CEO of Paychex, a company that provides payroll and human resources services to businesses. How did Tom Golisano become a billionaire? He launched Paychex in 1971 with just $3,000 and transformed it into a payroll powerhouse that serves over 670,000 clients across America.
So, what is Tom Golisano’s net worth? According to Forbes, Tom Golisano is worth approximately $5.8 billion as of 2024. This incredible wealth comes primarily from his business success with Paychex, which he founded in 1971. The company went public in 1983, and Golisano’s smart leadership helped it grow into the payroll giant it is today.
Beyond business, sports fans might recognize Golisano as the former owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team. He owned the team from 2003 to 2011, stepping in to save the franchise when it faced financial troubles. This move showed both his business savvy and his commitment to Western New York.
Song Hill Manor
One of Tom Golisano’s most notable former properties is Song Hill Manor, a magnificent Georgian Revival mansion located in Victor, NY. This property has an interesting history tied to the Golisano family. Tom Golisano purchased this estate specifically for his daughter, one of his three children. Golisano’s family life, including his grandchildren, has played a key role in his personal and philanthropic decisions, showing his generosity extends beyond his public philanthropy to his family as well.
The ownership of Song Hill Manor has changed hands a few times since the Golisano family owned it. After Tom’s daughter lived there, it was sold to another family, who later sold it to Lynn Grace. As of 2023, the property is back on the market with a price tag of $975,000. This listing has attracted considerable attention from luxury home buyers in the Rochester area.
Built in 1994, this impressive estate spans 5,577 square feet and sits on 4.4 acres of private land in Victor, NY. The Georgian Revival architecture gives it a timeless, elegant appearance that stands out even among luxury homes. Inside, the mansion boasts five bedrooms and five bathrooms, providing plenty of space for family and guests.
The Naples Residence
After selling his interests in the Victor property, Wondering where Golisano lives now? Tom Golisano currently resides in a luxurious waterfront estate in Naples, Florida.. His current residence is located on Green Dolphin Lane in Naples, one of the most prestigious addresses in this affluent coastal city. But what makes Naples so appealing to wealthy individuals like Golisano?
Naples offers an ideal combination of natural beauty, luxury amenities, and a favorable tax environment. The city is known for its pristine beaches, world-class golf courses, and upscale shopping and dining. For someone who has worked hard their entire life, Naples provides the perfect setting for a comfortable retirement without sacrificing any luxuries.
The neighborhood where Golisano resides is known for its privacy and exclusivity. Many homes in this area are situated on waterfront lots with private docks and spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico. Security is another key feature, with many properties featuring gated entrances and sophisticated security systems.
Golisano’s Naples estate is significantly larger than his former Victor property, spanning an impressive 10,216 square feet. While specific details about the architectural style aren’t widely published, many high-end Naples homes feature Mediterranean or contemporary coastal designs that take advantage of the Florida sunshine and water views.
The property’s current market value isn’t publicly disclosed, but comparable luxury waterfront estates in Naples often sell for $15-30 million or more. Given Golisano’s net worth and the premium location, it’s reasonable to assume his Naples residence represents a significant real estate investment.
Real Estate Investments
When comparing Tom Golisano’s Victor mansion and Naples estate, the size difference is immediately apparent. The Naples home at 10,216 square feet is nearly twice the size of the 5,577-square-foot Victor property. This significant increase reflects both Golisano’s growing wealth over time and the different purposes these homes serve in his life.
The price differential is even more striking. While the Victor mansion is currently listed at $975,000, comparable waterfront properties in Naples can easily command $15 million or more. This price gap highlights the vastly different real estate markets in these regions. The Victor property, while luxurious for upstate New York, represents a fraction of the investment required for premier Naples real estate.
From an investment perspective, both properties make sense in their contexts. The Victor mansion, despite being in the top percentile of homes in the Rochester region, offers surprising value. As the current listing agent notes, building a similar home today would cost significantly more given rising construction and material costs. Meanwhile, Naples waterfront property has historically appreciated well, making it both a lifestyle choice and a sound investment.
Luxury Lifestyle
Both Inside Tom Golisano House were designed with entertainment and hosting in mind, but in different ways that reflect their locations and purposes. The Victor mansion can accommodate up to 200 guests, making it perfect for large-scale entertaining. Its formal layout with distinct spaces—living room, dining room, family room—follows a traditional entertainment flow for hosting everything from holiday gatherings to business events.
The Naples home, while not publicly detailed, likely follows the more modern open-concept approach favored in luxury Florida homes. These spaces typically feature great rooms that combine living, dining, and kitchen areas with seamless transitions to outdoor entertainment spaces, allowing for a more relaxed hosting style that takes advantage of the climate.
Specialty spaces enhance the entertainment value of both properties. The Victor mansion’s theater room, wine cellar, and secret room add elements of luxury and surprise for guests. In high-end Naples properties, wine cellars are typically climate-controlled to combat Florida’s heat and humidity, while media rooms often feature blackout capabilities to enable daytime movie watching.
The ability to host large gatherings is a defining feature of luxury homes. The Victor mansion’s capacity to accommodate 200 guests puts it in an elite category of private residences. This feature would have been particularly valuable during Golisano’s active business years, potentially serving as a venue for corporate events and philanthropic gatherings.
Investment Insights
Tom Golisano’s property choices reveal a sophisticated understanding of location strategy. The Victor mansion, situated in a town with notably lower property taxes, demonstrates fiscal prudence even in luxury purchases. At $19,600 annually, the tax burden is significantly less than comparable properties in nearby towns—a difference that adds up over years of ownership.
Naples has long been a hot spot for luxury real estate, particularly for wealthy individuals from high-tax northern states. Beyond its natural beauty, Naples offers financial advantages through Florida’s tax policies: no state income tax, no estate tax, and homestead exemptions that can cap annual increases in property tax assessments. These benefits make it particularly attractive for high-net-worth individuals like Golisano.
Both properties offer privacy and exclusivity, but in different ways. The Victor mansion achieves this through its gated entrance and positioning backing up to farmland, creating natural buffers from neighbors. Naples luxury communities often feature additional layers of security, with neighborhoods having their gates before reaching individual properties, plus water boundaries that prevent approach from certain directions.
Conclusion
Inside the Tom Golisano House, there is a fascinating glimpse into how one of America’s most successful entrepreneurs lives. From the elegant Georgian Revival mansion in Victor to his spacious Naples estate, these properties reflect different phases of his life and career. The Victor mansion, with its secret room, wine cellar, and capacity to host 200 guests, speaks to family legacy and connections to his business roots. Meanwhile, his Naples residence represents the rewards of his success and a strategic lifestyle choice for his later years.
What makes these properties truly special is how they combine luxury with practicality. The Victor mansion, despite its grandeur, sits in a low-tax town—a financially savvy choice. Similarly, his move to tax-friendly Florida demonstrates the same business acumen that helped him build Paychex from a small startup into a payroll processing giant.
Currently, the former Golisano mansion in Victor presents an interesting opportunity for luxury home buyers at $975,000—a price that would barely cover construction costs for a similar home today. Meanwhile, Golisano continues to enjoy the Florida lifestyle in his Naples estate, which approaches twice the size of his former New York home.
FAQs
Who is Tom Golisano, and how did he make his fortune?
Tom Golisano is a billionaire entrepreneur who founded Paychex, a payroll and human resources company, in 1971. He built the company from a small startup with just $3,000 into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise that serves hundreds of thousands of clients across America.
Where does Tom Golisano currently live?
Tom Golisano currently lives in Naples, Florida, specifically on Green Dolphin Lane. He chose Naples for its luxury lifestyle, beautiful beaches, and favorable tax environment.
How big is Tom Golisano’s Naples house?
Tom Golisano’s Naples residence is 10,216 square feet—nearly twice the size of his former Victor mansion.
What unique features does the former Golisano mansion in Victor have?
The Victor mansion includes a secret room hidden behind bookshelves, a wine cellar, a theater room, a three-story foyer, and a master closet with its chandelier. The property also features a gunite pool and pool house that were added after the Golisano family’s ownership.
How much is the former Golisano mansion in Victor selling for?
The former Golisano mansion in Victor, known as Song Hill Manor, is currently listed for $975,000.
Did Tom Golisano own the Buffalo Sabres?
Yes, Tom Golisano owned the Buffalo Sabres hockey team from 2003 to 2011.
What philanthropic causes does Tom Golisano support?
Tom Golisano has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to healthcare, education, and organizations supporting people with intellectual disabilities. The Golisano Children’s Hospital and numerous other facilities bear his name in recognition of his generous contributions.
Why did Tom Golisano move from New York to Florida?
While multiple factors likely influenced his decision, Golisano has publicly cited Florida’s more favorable tax environment as a significant reason for relocating his primary residence to Naples.
