Behind the Scenes at a Palm Beach Treasure

Welcome to the Donald’s Digs, Mar-a-Lago, a historic property with an amazing pedigree and undoubtedly the premier piece of Palm Beach real estate. Just like Mr. Trump, Mar-a-Lago is over the top and bigger than life. Breathless opulence is the best way to describe this lavish 114-room villa built by Marjorie Merriweather Post (as in Post Cereals) and E.F. Hutton, taking nearly four years to build. Mrs. Post was the founder of General Foods and the wealthiest woman in America.

Mar-a-Lago was a mini-resort built in one of the social capitals of the world. Completed in 1927, this is where Mrs. Post entertained dignitaries and VIPs. And now Barron Trump, who looks just like his daddy can be seen walking the gorgeous grounds ice cream cone in hand. Donald Trump and family spend nearly every weekend in season at Mar-A-Lago, their second home.

Mar-a-Lago translates from Latin to "Sea to Lake" and is the only property remaining in Palm Beach that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Worth. Mrs. Post hired two prominent architects for Mar-a-Lago, Marion Wyeth and Joseph Urban, the Austrian architect of Emperor Franz Joseph. The finest artisans were imported from Europe to work with local craftsman to cast ornate iron work, carve stone sculptures, handcraft wood work, cast plaster relief, and inlay marble floors. Many of the artisans and craftsman lived on the premises for several years while working on the estate. It's not at all surprising that Mar-a-Lago was designated a National Historic Site and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The Moorish-Mediterranean mish-mash built on over 20 sprawling acres of heaven, Mar-a-Lago is now an exclusive private club with guest suites, penthouse cabanas, croquet court, tennis courts, world class spa, and an oceanfront beach club. I was lucky enough to go on a private tour of the property, which is strictly members-only.

According to the terms of Mrs. Post’s will, after her death, in 1973, Mar-a-Lago was transferred to the federal government to use as a diplomatic/presidential retreat. For a brief time it was used as the southern presidential retreat, however, Mar-a-Lago was a security nightmare being surrounded by so much water in addition to costing a fortune to maintain. In 1985, Mr. Trump purchased the estate from the Post Foundation. When facing bankruptcy, Mr. Trump desperately held onto his beloved Mar-a-Lago and did whatever was necessary not to lose his favorite property.

"Mar-a-Lago is priceless, there's nothing else like it anywhere in the world," Bernd Lembcke explained during s private tour of Mar-A-Lago. Lembcke is managing director of Mar-A-Lago and has been a member of the Trump team for 13 years.

INSIDE MAR-A-LAGO
The exquisite craftsmanship and details of Mar-a-Lago belong to days gone by, when artisans took their time and took great pride in their work. Regardless of one's budget, it's no longer even possible to find this caliber of craftsmanship where everything was meticulously hand-crafted. It's eye candy everywhere you look and every corner you turn. Amazing details prevail in the interior and on the exterior; elaborate carved and gilded ceilings, ornate plaster work, rare pecky cypress, carved Dorian stone statues, a 75-foot tower like a minaret piercing the sky providing spectacular vistas, carved crests and fountains scattered on the grounds. Clay roof tiles and marble from a Cuban castle were incorporated into the décor. Two architectural arches with a Persian tree of life motif flank the outside entrance to the sweeping veranda resembling the gates to an exotic souk.

Mrs. Post purchased a collection of 36,000 hand-painted Hispano-Moorish tiles, some of which date back to the 15th century. These exquisite tiles feature Moorish and Andalusian motifs of geometric Islamic patterning just as you would see in Moroccan mosques and lion and castle motifs of Andalusia. The tiles are imbedded into the walls as accents through out Mar-a-Lago and incorporated into the architectural décor.

Nearly all of the furniture in the Grand Hall and living room is original. Ornate carved and gilded Italian and French Louis XIV grace the interior. A priceless Flemish tapestry was cut to size to fit the wall panels surrounding the enormous living room. A prized Meissen clock collectible is another showpiece in the living room.

Mrs. Post commissioned Florence Ziegfeld’s set designer to paint mural panels for the formal dining room walls and these are original along with the gorgeous chandeliers. As the Dowager Queen of Palm Beach, Mrs. Post loved to entertain lavishly and collected a huge assortment of the finest crystal and china, not to mention the solid gold charger plates kept locked in the safe. Only the best china and crystal would do for her taste; Capo di Monte and fine Venetian stemware line the cabinets of the large butler's pantry. In the 1990s, Christie’s appraised the stemware at $1,000 per stem!

DONALD THE DESIGNER
Not only is Donald Trump good at making money, he is also good at decorating. When I asked Mr. Lembcke who the interior designer was, I was rather taken aback at his response, "It was Mr. Trump, of course, he's our own in-house designer!"

He explained that Mr. Trump was very involved in the restoration of Mar-a-Lago adamantly going to great lengths to maintain the property's historic and architectural integrity.

"Mr. Trump didn't want to change the main house as it is such a historic architectural treasure and after the house was vacant for eight years, he was determined to bring it back to life and maintain its integrity in the process."

Trump had a "hands on" approach and was responsible for a handful of major additions and improvements, such as converting the library into a bar area; expanding the Tea Room; building the oceanside Beach Club; converting the servants’ quarters to a world class spa and beauty salon; and adding a 20,000 square foot Louis XIV ballroom. The Versailles-like ballroom is an opulent spectacle of mirrors, marble, gold and 17 Austrian crystal chandeliers, making it the largest ballroom on the island. The original ballroom was not big or grand enough for Mr. Trump. Mrs. Post used the original ballroom to host square dance parties and movie screenings; somehow it’s hard to imagine Palm Beach socialites draped in jewels square dancing.

While he could have settled for faux gold leaf to gild the elaborate ballroom ceilings, Trump decided to go with real 24 karat gold leaf, at a cost of $7 million. From the rich mahogany paneling in the spa to the exquisite Italian marble and the sparkling Austrian crystal chandeliers, no corners were cut.

In addition to being featured on "The Apprentice," "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," and America's Castles, Mar-a-Lago has received numerous awards and recognition. The Historical Society of Palm Beach has recognized Trump for his restoration of Mar-a-Lago to its original splendor while the American Academy of Hospitality Science has bestowed the 6 Star Award for over all ambiance, service, quality of food, management, and hospitality.

THE DONALD...UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
While some folks may perceive Donald to be a bit brash and flamboyant, he was warm, friendly and welcoming when I met him at Mar-a-Lago and couldn't have been nicer. (As an aside, Donald's hair looks much better in person.)

CELEB SIGHTINGS
Celeb sightings are de rigueur at Mar-a-Lago. In addition to seeing Trump, you may spot Tony Bennett set up somewhere on the grounds with his easel and paints capturing Mar-a-Lago's magnificence; Oprah and Maya Angelou lunching at the Beach Club; Regis Philbin playing tennis on the clay courts; or Celine Dion playing a round of golf at the club. So many of the who's who hang out here the list is endless: Diana Ross, Paul Anka, Tom Jones, Michael Jackson, Priscilla Presley, Olivia Newton John, just to name a few.

So, if you want to join the ranks of these celebs and mingle with the rich and famous, all you need to do is have a member sponsor you, get the board to approve you, come up with $200,000 for the initiation fee and then pay $2,000 per month!

More on Mar-a-Lago at www.maralagoclub.com.

Michelle Newman is a designer, writer and photographer focusing on art, craft, design, fashion, and cultural destinations. She has written for Better Homes and Gardens, Womans Day, Belle Armoire and Expressions. Based in San Antonio, Texas, she can be reached at michellenewmandesigns@hotmail.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE NEWMAN