Complete with an Oval Office, the recently modernized, 11-bedroom estate was originally envisioned a century ago by the media tycoon George Hearst
House hunters looking to live like the leader of the free world will soon have the chance to acquire the âWestern White Houseâ in the California Bay Area.
Constructed in 1930, the 24,000-square-foot residenceâabout half the size of the real White House in Washington, D.C.âis nestled on a private, nearly 3-acre slice of woodland in the heart of San Mateo County. The historic replica, which was most recently on the market for US$36.9 million, is headed to auction without reserve this week, with bids opening on Thursday, according to Concierge Auctions, which is handling the sale on its online marketplace in cooperation with listing agents Alex Buljan and Pierre Buljan of Compass.
Located on El Cerrito Avenue in the affluent town of Hillsborough, the neoclassical Georgian-style home greets visitors with a grand horseshoe driveway and a faithful replication of the world-famous facade found at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, majestic columns included.
âIt includes its own âEast Room,â intricate fixture details, chandeliers in every room, and rose gardens throughout the courtyard, all reminiscent of the actual White House,â Buljan said. Its privacy, hidden from the main road, adds to the âpresidential palace experience,â he added.
Befitting a faithful replica of one of the planetâs most famous buildings, the home carries quite a history. While the original structure dates back to the late 1800s, its present form started to take shape once the media tycoon George Hearstâson of media magnate and politician William Randolph Hearstâbought the property and commissioned the prolific, award-winning architect Julia Morgan to create the replica in the 1920s. (Morganâs portfolio included more than 700 buildings in California, most notably the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, built for William Randolph Hearst and between 1919 and 1947.)
Following his fatherâs political drive, George Hearst aspired to be a presidential candidate and planned to donate the property to the U.S. government to serve as a presidential residence on the West Coast, complementing its East Coast counterpart. While that didnât materialize, the estateâs notoriety continued to grow.
Last year, the house went back on the market for nearly $39 million, just one year after its current owner, an entity tied to real estate investor Mehrdad Elie and his wife, Neda Elie, purchased it for $15 million, according to public property records. The sellers, who couldnât be reached for comment, refreshed the interiors with new fixtures and appliances to retain the original architectural detail while bringing the home into the 21st century, according to Compass.
The home is certainly not the only White House replica in the countryâothers can be found in Atlanta, Dallas, and McLean, Virginiaâbut itâs being trumpeted by the auctioneer as the one most fit for a president.
There are 11 bedrooms, nine full bathrooms, and five half-bathrooms, all spread across four levels. An abundance of windows and soaring ceilings bring in ample natural light. Accents such as intricate crown molding, wood floors, and haughty chandeliers mesh with contemporary elements and sleek lines.
Highlights include a wood-paneled âOval Officeâ replica, scenic roof deck, gourmet kitchen with butlerâs pantry, and expansive primary bedroom suite with twin bathrooms and dressing rooms. Outside, the lush grounds feature a picturesque rose gardenâbelieved to have been modeled after the one that John F. Kennedy had planted in the â60sâand mature trees, along with a gazebo and a large swimming pool.
The lower-level staff quarters include a fitness room, wine cellar, living room, and laundry. A recreation room provides space for leisure activities, while a pool pavilion and home theater add to the homeâs entertainment offerings.
Nestled between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, Tony Hillsborough is known for its sprawling estates and high-ranking schools. The area spans a scenic portion of the Pacific Coast Highway, with the likes of Big Sur and Half Moon Bay within easy driving distance.
The auction runs through June 25. A $100,000 bidder deposit is required, and bidding is estimated to start between $10 million and $17 million.
âThe architectural heritage of the âWestern White Houseâ is recognized worldwide for its stately grandeur,â said Chad Roffers, co-founder and CEO of Concierge Auctions.