14 DAY TRIAL // Investors looking for a good deal in Atlanta, Georgia, have now an extra option to consider: the scaled-down White House replica that Fred Milani built in his backyard seven years ago and that he’s now forced to sell because of the recession. The 16,500 sq ft construction, complete with an Oval Office and the trademark white façade, starts at $10 million, the Daily Mail informs.
Milani, a property developer who agreed to have the White House built in his backyard seven years ago for no other reason than the fact that his architect offered to do so, says he parts from it not because he wants to, but because he has no other choice. He claims not to be very political, but says owning the replica for such a long time was a good thing, which is why it pains him to put it on the market.
Still, put it up for sale he must, because the recession has left him with no other choice. The construction is listed for a starting price of a little under $10 million, and Milani hopes buyers will not fail to approach him very soon. “I still do not want to sell, but I will. Really, I am not very political. The architect just asked, ‘How about I build you the White House?’ and I said yes. That is the whole story.” the property developer says, as quoted by the Mail.
The luxury house comes complete with an Oval Office, a Lincoln Bedroom and, of course, several impressive dining rooms, some of which are adorned with huge crosses, and a very original “God Loves You” motive made of bushes right out in front. Milani’s neighbors continue to be divided about the replica, some of them deeming it too tacky, and others too much for the community. There are, of course, also those who see it as a good thing, since it helped increase tourism to the area, as people from all over the US come on a regular basis to take pictures.
“Honestly, we are very happy to be living next door to the White House. There are certain quirkinesses, but [Milani] is a very good neighbor.” Keith Klugman, one of the residents of the North Druid Hills district where the house is situated, says for the Mail.