Inside Donald Trump’s Homes

What else can be said about Donald Trump that hasn’t already been said? From “you’re hired and you’re fired” to “make America great again,” the billionaire businessman, television personality and 2016 Republican nominee has been called just about every name in the book during his bid for the White House in 2016. First making his mark in the world of business and real estate development, Trump didn’t let his lack of political experience stop him from becoming one of the most polarizing political figures in history.

Following in his father’s footsteps as a real estate developer and business mogul, the 70-year-old Trump has served as Chairman of the Trump Organization since 1971 while also dabbling in the entertainment realm as the longtime host of The Apprentice from 2004 to 2015. Along the way, he’s built his professional brand with business interests around the world that have contributed to his $4.5 billion net worth, which he’s used to purchase some of the most gorgeous properties for himself.

So, if Trump moves into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in January 2017, what properties will he leave behind? From his New York City penthouse to his winery, New England estate and beachfront mansions, let’s take a look at the properties that Donald Trump affectionately calls “home.” Plus, we’ll even give you a sneak peek into a few other primetime vacation spots as well as the billionaire’s first mansion! Are you ready? Let’s get started!

#13 – Trump Tower

How many people can say they live in a skyscraper with their name on it? Donald Trump certainly has that privilege today after purchasing and demolishing the former Bonwit Teller flagship store in 1979 to create his Manhattan dream. Located in the heart of New York City at 725 Fifth Avenue and now the headquarters of the illustrious Trump Organization as well as his campaign and penthouse, construction on the 58-story Trump Tower began in 1979 and was opened to the public four years later on November 30, 1983 as one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the Big Apple.

Featuring everything from office and retail spaces to penthouse condominiums, Trump Tower is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Manhattan and is known for its long list of famous residents such as Bruce Willis, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andrew Lloyd Webber. With each penthouse climbing in price the higher it sits, it’s no surprise that not even these high profile celebrity condos can top Donald and Melanie’s penthouse suite. Stretching across three levels of the 66th floor, we definitely understand why this is Trump’s favorite investment and home away from home.

#12 – Penthouse Living

With his hopes set on moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue after a victory in the 2016 Presidential election, Trump’s exquisite New York City penthouse might be a little harder to leave than he imagined. Worth $100 million and inspired by the Palace of Versailles, the gold and diamond front door opens to a beautiful interior wrapped from floor to ceiling in Trump’s favorite gold and marble décor. The ceiling features Greek mythology paintings throughout the penthouse but the best view is from the oversized windows that feature a breathtaking landscape of Central Park.

Did we mention how much Trump likes gold? Nearly everything in the penthouse from the platters and vases to the lamps and even the crown molding is accentuated with 24 karat gold that offers a gorgeous backdrop to some of Trump’s favorite classical art and décor. Without shying away from personal touches like family portraits and crested pillows, the home has a strong Greek influence with Athenian style vases, a bronze statue of Eros and Psyche as well as a painting of Apollo led by Aurora, the goddess of dawn.

#11 – Have a Seat

Despite resembling a monument to the Greek gods and leading many to believe that Trump thinks he is a god himself, the Trump Tower penthouse does have some pretty comforting and more normal features that just might shock you. Striving for symmetry in the room from the chair and couch placement to the gold candy bowls flanking the candelabras, the spacious living room offers gorgeous views of the city as well as the opportunity to do some light reading with copies of Vogue Living and the Vanity Fair Oscar Night Photography Book on the coffeetables.

The penthouse’s symmetry and elegance is the work of famed designer Angelo Donghia who had a long list of high profile clients like Ralph Lauren, Mary Tyler Moore, Liza Minelli, Diana Ross and many more before his death in 1985. Inspired to create an attractive space fit for a king, Donghia did exactly that by keeping “The Sun King” Louis XIV—the King of France from 1643 to 1715—in mind when he picked out the furniture, fabrics and other décor for Trump’s home. Hopefully, Trump doesn’t take the inspiration too literal as Louis was known for engaging in many wars.

#10 – Closer Look

Taking a closer look at one side of the living room, you can see that Donghia’s interior design for Trump’s penthouse is truly all about the details. This section of the room boasts a stunning marble fountain behind the ivory couch with the same crystal chandeliers, Greek-inspired marble columns, detailed flooring and gold trim that fill the rest of the room. Located just above the fountain is yet another hint of Greek and Roman influence with the painting of the god Apollo riding his chariot across the heavens.

Definitely eliminating any option for a $200 recliner, sectional sofa with cup-holders or a flat screen television in this living room (there are probably other rooms for that!), there are only a few signs of Donald and Melania’s less than luxurious side and even those are elegant. Taking a peak at the table near the window on the right, you’ll find a potted plant that hides an oversized telephone as well as a box of tissues that are displayed like artwork for guests to use. Chances are even those are lined with gold!

#9 – Family Values

If you expected platinum, 24 karat gold and diamond-lined picture frames filling Trump’s New York City penthouse, you’ll have to guess again. With a marble-topped sofa table dedicated to dozens of family photos, ordinary frames fill the table and feature candid moments between the 70-year-old presidential hopeful and the 45-year-old Melania as well as their nine-year-old son Barron. And, if you look closer, you’ll even see a few photos of Donald’s older children—Donald, Jr., Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany.

These aren’t the only family photos in the house, however. Making his foray into real estate by joining his father in business at Elizabeth Trump and Son in the early 1970s, Trump eventually took over and renamed his father’s company but has never forgotten his father’s work in starting the empire that has made him a billionaire today. As a result, Trump’s penthouse is filled with photos of Fred in addition to a family portrait in one of the entryways that features Fred with Donald and his three siblings—Elizabeth, Maryann and Robert.

#8 – Office Space

With the Trump Tower serving as the headquarters for The Trump Organization, Donald’s office is only an elevator ride away leaving Melania plenty of room to work from the comfort of her corner penthouse home office. Offering a breathtaking view of Manhattan, the glamourous office is a perfect fit for the 46-year-old former Slovenian model with its ivory couch and Louis XIV inspired desk that matches the decor of the rest of the home. The office even features a replica of Renoir’s La loge as well as an oversized mirror that adds to the room’s elegance.

So what exactly does Melania do when she isn’t joining Donald on the campaign trail? Aside from raising Barron, Melania spends plenty of time at the office cashing in on her unique sense of style by designing affordable jewelry and watches for QVC as part of her “M” collection. The colored pencils on her desk hint at her design process while some of her pieces are sitting on the couch in a Louis Vuitton case that undoubtedly costs more than all of the jewelry inside combined.

#7 – Where the Donald Works

And, speaking of offices… While you might have expected his office to be decorated from floor to ceiling with marble and gold, Donald’s office at The Trump Organization is far from glamourous and, to be honest, is downright messy. Pictured here sitting in the same chair he used on The Apprentice, Donald’s oversized desk is covered in unfinished work, research, proposals and projects that offer a glimpse into his busy life. As an avid sports fan, you’ll even see sports memorabilia lining the walls with his most valuable items—a New England Patriots helmet signed by Tom Brady and championship belts autographed by Mike Tyson and Vince McMahon—sitting nearby for inspiration.

Apart from the sports memorabilia and iconic leather chair, Trump values the view of New York City and Central Park that his office has to offer leaving many to wonder if he’s ready to trade those views for Washington. When asked if the White House is nicer than the penthouse, Trump said, “The White House is very special, so is Trump Tower, but the White House is a very special place.” Maybe the transition won’t be so hard after all.

#6 – Heading South

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Manhattan for the laid back beach lifestyle of sunny Florida, Trump’s second home away from home is the Mar-a-Lago estate located in Palm Beach, Florida. Originally built for Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1927 and later declared a National Historic Landmark in 1980 after Post left it to the government as a vacation resort for presidents and dignitaries to escape the frigid Washington, D.C. winters, little did Post know that it would fall into Trump’s hands in 1985 when he purchased the 17-acre estate for $10 million.

Stretching across 110,000 square feet with 126 rooms including 58 bedrooms, 33 bathrooms and 12 fireplaces as well as dozens of amenities, Trump immediately set out to renovate the estate to his liking in 1985. Continuing to make improvements over the years such as adding a 20,000 square-foot ballroom, Mar-a-Lago has become a landmark of architecture and an icon of Florida charm that, interestingly enough, even attracted the King of Pop himself in 1994 after tying the knot with Lisa Marie Presley and jetting off to Mar-a-Lago for their honeymoon escape.

#5 – Weekend Getaway

Although Trump is dividing his time these days between running The Trump Organization in New York City and traveling the country on the 2016 Presidential campaign trail, he often refers to Mar-a-Lago as his southern “home away from home.” Saying that he has spent many weekends and holidays at the Palm Beach estate with his family, this photo shows Donald and Melania outside of their private suite that offers the couple a private entrance and exclusive access to Mar-a-Lago whenever they want, 365 days a year.

While the club itself offers private beach access, a pool and spa as well as fine dining and entertainment to its members along with sunny weather, coastal views and warm Florida temperatures, one of the most appealing things about Mar-a-Lago for Trump is the ease and convenience to play his favorite sport—golf. Located within a five-minute drive to the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, the billionaire has quick access to the course while his family relaxes at the pool

#4 – Meet Virginia

When he’s not busy teeing off on the Palm Beach greens, you can find Donald Trump kicking back at his Charlottesville, Virginia estate. Established in the 1980s by media billionaire John Kluge and his wife Patricia, Kluge spent millions on transforming the estate into a famous winery but ran out of capital before seeing her dream come true. With no other choice but to list the property after her divorce, Kluge listed it $100 million but eventually lost the house to foreclosure when her family friend, Donald Trump, purchased it in 2011 for $6.7 million.

Having already purchased the vineyard, winery and surrounding property in the previous months, the purchase of the 23,000 square-foot mansion nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains was the next logical step in Trump’s real estate venture. Completely remodeling and renaming the property with his son Eric, the Albemarle Estate is now a prestigious winery and world-class bed and breakfast that boasts a helicopter landing pad, a private chapel and luscious gardens for visitors from around the world to enjoy.

#3 – Bed and Breakfast

Although it’s not clear how often Donald and Melania stay at the Albemarle Estate, his son Eric spends quite a bit of time there after taking the lead in the 2011 purchase and renovation of the former Kluge Estate. Regardless, Albemarle is one of Trump’s favorite locations with its 45-room Georgian style mansion that he says “epitomizes high-style country living in the tradition of the English country manor.” Apart from the 45 luxurious rooms, visitors find hand-carved 20-foot high ceilings with hand-painted wallpaper and crystal chandeliers that illuminate what many call “one of America’s true treasures.”

A remarkable piece of history filled with 150+ year old English oak furniture and brass fixtures, one of the most notable rooms at Albemarle is the dining room where gold trim and ornate crystal are part of every meal. While the rates are far from average running at a minimum of $500 per night, Trump takes great pride in his estate and says the Albemarle experience is top of the line thanks to an outstanding staff, award-winning wines, manicured gardens and dozens of amenities like a private movie theater and spa that put other bed-and-breakfast venues to shame.

#2 – Greenwich Village

From the Trump Tower to Mar-a-Lago and Albemarle, it’s time to travel back in time to one of Donald’s first homes—the Haroldyn House of Greenwich, Connecticut. Located on a private peninsula in Long Island Sound and stretching across 5.8 acres, Trump purchased the 20,000 square-foot home in 1982 shortly after he and Ivana welcomed their second child, Ivanka. Offering 45 rooms, a three-story rotunda, beautiful staircases, an indoor pool and a bowling alley, the Trumps lived in the home in the late 1980s while Ivana redecorated the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan.

Eventually divorcing in 1991, Trump gave the $14 million Greenwich estate to Ivana who spent the next few years redecorating the home in her signature gold-leaf gaudy style before putting it up for sale. Having since been redecorated in a more modern and classic style by its latest owners, Trump’s first mansion is back on the market once again with new additions including a tennis court, three staff apartments and a 4,000 square-foot guest suite all for the price of $50 million.

#1 – Back to Florida

Heading back to Florida for the final Trump property on our list takes us to yet another Palm Beach estate known as Maison de L’Amitie. A sprawling waterfront estate on the Atlantic Ocean, Trump purchased the 60,000 square-foot property in 2004 for $41 million and said that he immediately “put in $3 million worth of paint and gave it a good cleaning.” Adding gold to nearly everything from the driveway to the pool itself, Trump was swept away by the 80-car garage, bulletproof windows, 18 bedrooms and 22 bathrooms, and three guest cottages that screamed luxury with marble and granite finishes.

Despite his love of the beachfront property, Trump had bigger plans for his second Palm Beach estate and sold it to Russia’s Dmitri Rybolovlev in 2008 for $95 million. Turning a $60 million profit and proving he’s an expert at “the art of the deal,” Trump obviously got the last laugh as Rybolovlev told reporters in 2013 that he had plans to level the property after forking over hundreds of thousands in mold prevention to maintain the estate.