You may have already heard about that story of the U.S. Secret Service asking for $8 million from the House Appropriations Committee to build a training facility in Beltsville, Maryland which would closely resemble the official presidential mansion.
"It's important to have a true replica of what the White House is so we can do a better job of this integrated training between our uniform division officers, our agents and our tactical teams," Director Joseph Clancy said in a statement before the lawmakers, as reported in the NY Times last month.
The request from the elite law enforcement agency came amid the latest reports of an intruder and two drunk secret service "crashing" the place.
In light of this, we give you this list of White House's cookie-cutter homes that have done a good job impersonating the country's executive mansion.
The Atlanta Roadside Attraction
The Briarcliff Road estate may not be the actual residence for the most powerful man on Earth, but it was built and was once home to one of the nicest people you'll meet, says The Zac Team Atlanta.
The home, constructed in 2002 by Iranian-American Fred Milani, a real estate developer, has six beds plus an Oval Office and a Lincoln Bedroom. It also has its own George W. Bush desk and a presidential seal on the ceiling according to CNN. Take a look at the interior and outside shots of the house courtesy of the Daily Mail.
"Honestly, we are very happy to be living next door to the White House," said Keith Klugman, one of Milani's neighbor, via the NY Times. "There are certain quirkinesses, but he is a very good neighbor."
The home details from Zillow revealed that the property was sold for $2.2 million on Nov. 2013 -- a value far from the asking price when it was first listed by the owners. CNN wrote in 2009 that the home was put on the market for $9.8 million.
The replica was also reported to have been on the brink of being sold at an auction more than five years ago at the Decatur courthouse in DeKalb County, Georgia as reported by The Zac Team Atlanta. The owner was hard-pressed to pay off a loan amounting to $1.75 million loan. Fortunately for Mr. Milani, five of his ten homes on sale at that time were sold, and he was able to ask for a loan restructure with the IndyMac Federal Bank to avoid foreclosure.
The "Homage" 8,000 Square Foot In Size
This Mc Lean, Virginia imitator may just be a quarter of the actual White House size but looking at its façade will make you feel like you're on Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C.
It boasts of having its own version of an oval room, a Truman Balcony, and a Lincoln Bedroom says Curbed in a 2012 article. The Towlston Road replica also has a party space that can hold up to 100 people. The design and construction of the six bedroom and eight bathroom property took about five years in the making, starting in 1995.
The property was first listed in 2011 for $4.65M but the sale was put on hold early in 2012. It was re-listed back on the market for $3,999,950 on Oct. 2012.
The home is also equipped with 14-foot-high ceilings, an elevator, 22 skylight on the roof, and 14 LAN lines. It was built by a Vietnamese immigrant to pay tribute to the country he considers his "adopted homeland", Curbed also notes.
The Blue White House
The first owner of this Chicago White House may have wanted their own version of the presidential home, but figured that it's just too, erm... white.
This Chatham estate was built in 1966 by a couple only known for their surname, "Smith". They used blue Italian bricks in the construction of this scaled-down version of the White House, which is also highlighted by its Georgian porch and pillars, says the ChicagoMag.com.
According to its listing at Realtor, the almost 8,000 square foot single-family home has 5.5 baths within .44 acres of land. There's not too many other details provided on the listing of this Michigan Avenue property, but you can check out the place in the video below.
