A replica of the White House in the San Francisco Bay Area has sold for $23 million – far less than the original asking price.
The 11-bed, 11.5-bathroom Hillsborough, California home, located on El Cerrito Avenue, is draped in a regal air with its tall columns, circular entryway and its white exterior that resembles the US president’s home.
However, despite its resemblance to one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, it sold for more than $15 million less than its list price of $39 million in June 2023, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Known as the “Western White House,” the 21,000-square-foot home was sold by Mehrdad and Neda Elie, who bought the house for $15 million in 2022 and never lived in it, though they considered it.
The pair were set to auction the house earlier this year but ultimately kept it on the market, WSJ reported.
The 11-bed, 11.5-bathroom Hillsborough, California home, located on El Cerrito Avenue, is cloaked in a regal air with its tall columns, circular entryway and its white exterior that resembles the home of the US president.
However, despite its resemblance to one of the country’s most recognizable buildings, it sold in June 2023 for more than $15 million less than the asking price.
Despite deciding the house was too big for them, the couple still made renovations to the three-acre property, including adding a wine cellar and staff quarters, according to WSJ.
The home — which is located just 20 miles outside of San Francisco — also has a backyard pool and plenty of privacy and entertainment space.
It was built to resemble a Swiss chalet when it was originally built, but was converted into a replica of the White House in the 1930s under the ownership of George R. Hearst, the son of media mogul William Randolph Hearst, according to WSJ.
The transformation was carried out under architect Julia Morgan, who added the columns, Palladian windows and circular driveway, the outlet reported.
The Oval Office and East Room were also recreated in the home, which was represented by Compass Real Estate Agents Alex and Pierre Bujian.
It is one of the best-selling homes in the area, with a top sales price of $30 million, which sold in 2022.
The front of the house has a circular driveway with a fountain filled with flowers in the middle. The entrance has precisely pruned shrubs and trees.
One of the bathrooms has three sleek silver mirrors with an all-white interior to the cabinets, freestanding bath and floors. It has a large square glass shower
The Oval Office and the East Room were also recreated in the house
The kitchen has a long island with a marble countertop and dark wood cabinets. It matches the rest of the room with its hardwood floors and bright cabinetry
Despite deciding the house was too big for them, the couple still made renovations to the three-acre estate, including adding a wine cellar and staff quarters.
The front door is framed by two columns and a door with wide panels.
The remake of the Oval Office is covered in deep wood, bookshelves and windows that let in plenty of natural light. There is room for a large desk and a sitting area with a fireplace and a sink on the wall.
One of the living rooms has many windows and two chandeliers.
The kitchen has a long island with a marble countertop and dark wood cabinets. It matches the rest of the room with its hardwood floors and bright cabinetry.
Unique to the kitchen are the five chandeliers that hang above the island and the kitchen table. There is also a water spout directly above the stove.
The appliances are hidden behind cabinet doors, except for the refrigerator door and the double stack oven.
The 21,000-square-foot home is known as the “Western White House” and was sold by Mehrdad and Neda Elie, who bought the house for $15 million in 2022 and never lived in it
The home — which is located just 20 miles outside of San Francisco — also has a backyard pool and plenty of privacy and entertainment space
The transformation was carried out under architect Julia Morgan, who added the columns, Palladian windows and the circular driveway
The sink is located behind a cupboard wall and there is plenty of storage space in the kitchen.
There is also a storage space under the stairs.
One of the bathrooms has three sleek silver mirrors with an all-white interior to the cabinets, freestanding bath and floors. It has a large square glass shower.
Another smaller bathroom also has a glass shower, but the color theme changes to gray and bronze.
All bedrooms are large and have lots of natural light.
The backyard has perfectly designed shrubs that frame a large pool with space for chairs and other pool items.