Why Trump won’t want to move to White House: Inside his $100M apartment

STEP inside the gaudiness of Donald Trump’s $100m penthouse. It might be tough for the President-elect to move to the White House.

Dripping in gold ... and marble, and art: Inside Donald Trump's NYC penthouse. Picture: Sam Horine

SURE, the White House’s sprawling lawns are impressive and the security’s second-to-none, but a peek at the glitz and gaudiness of US President-elect Donald Trump’s $100 million New York penthouse shows why it might be tough for him to relocate next year.

At the very least, the mogul might want to redecorate with some touches of gold: his sprawling, three-level, 66th-floor Trump Tower residence is dripping with it.

And with Palace of Versailles-style ceiling-to-floor marble pillars and floors, a gold-and-diamond front door, marble, lavish crystal chandeliers, mirrored and fresco-decorated ceilings, massive portraits and sculptures of Greek mythological characters and Greek gods, cherub statues and classical art.

The billionaire US President-elect’s golden touch is all over the three-level penthouse he calls home. Picture: Sam Horine

The place was decorated by legendary designer, the late Angelo Donghia, and also boasts ornate Louis XIV furniture and an indoor fountain in a sitting room encircled by marble lounges.

Everywhere there is a sea of gold: on the gold-leafed doors, the mouldings and ceilings. Even on the lolly bowls, toys and glasses.

Then there are the myriad cushions bearing Mr Trump’s ever-present coat of arms,

Look outside, and there are sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline from Fifth Avenue’s most impressive address, the main residence of Mr Trump, wife Melania, and their son, Barron.

If you can tear your eyes away from the ornate interior, the $100 million apartment boasts hard-to-beat views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Picture: Sam Horine

Mr Trump developed Trump Tower and it was completed in 1983. At the time it was the tallest structure of its kind in New York City.

While the Fifth Avenue main entrance is instantly identifiable — and outside it is home to protesters since his election success last week — Trump Tower also has a 56th Street side entrance for “private use”.

A worker in the entrance to a service elevator in the lobby of Trump Tower. Picture: Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

A gold-painted elevator — one of four in the lobby — shoots approved visitors skyward to Mr Trump’s luxury haven. It’s also designated for Mr Trump to take the trip between his private haven and 26th-floor office.

Passers-by stop for a selfie with a heavily-armed New York City police officer at the main, Fifth Avenue entrance to Trump Tower. Picture: AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Beneath his private kingdom sit luxury apartments, his business headquarters, retail stores, an ornate lobby and a face-level atrium featuring an 18m high waterfall.

Trump Tower was also the setting of Mr Trump’s reality show, The Apprentice, including the boardroom where Mr Trump would proclaim to contestants “you’re fired”.

Sky-high luxury: Trump Tower, the skyscraper that is home to President-elect Trump. Picture: AP/Kathy Willens

According to the New York Times, Mr Trump has been speaking with advisers about how many nights a week he would spend in the White House, saying he would like to spend time in New York when he can.

As for renovations to the White House, Mr Trump told People magazine last year he wouldn’t impose his signature golden decorating touch on the West Wing.

“If I were elected I would probably look at the White House, and maybe touch it up a little bit,” he said.

“But the White House is a special place you don’t want to do too much touching.”

1600 Pennsylvania Ave: The White House. Picture: Getty

Maybe a little understated by comparison: Mr Trump after a meeting with US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. Picture: Win McNamee/Getty

Originally published as Why Trump won’t want to move to White House: Inside his $100M apartment