Washington: One fine morning this summer, Indian-American Frank Islam received an unexpected call from President Barack Obama. The call was neither for a fund raiser nor for discussing any policy issues, but to “appreciate†the desk in Islam’s library, which is a replica of the Resolute, the desk in the White House’s Oval Office.
The replica of the iconic Resolute desk, first placed in the Oval Office by President John F Kennedy and used by Obama, is not the only US Presidential memorabilia in Islam’s newly built mansion in a 10 acre plot in Potomac, but is also one of the richest suburbs of Washington.
The grand foyer has a domed ceiling, reminiscent of Capitol Rotunda or Statuary Hall. There are also hand-painted murals depicting Maryland landscapes.
Obama, during the conversation said Vice-President, Joe Biden told him about his mansion and described its unique features, including the exact replica of the presidential desk at Oval office.
Obama’s call to Islam came after Biden attended a fundraiser event at his house on July 11 and described the house as “beautiful with gorgeous landscape”.
Islam moved into ‘Norton Manor’, as he and his wife Debbie Driesman call their new house, last year and have been receiving steady stream of visitors since then, including politicians, bankers and journalists.
The house, built on a sprawling 47,000 sq feet area, also has a 9,000 sq feet five-bedroom guest house and a tea house. There are 14 bedrooms, 22 bathrooms, a movie theatre, a gym and 60 chandeliers.
Built over a period of seven years and costing $1.5 million a year in maintenance, ‘Norton Manor’ boosts of several man made water streams, fountains and gardens, which are replicas of some of the historical gardens of the West.
For instance, one garden is inspired by the Hampton Court Palace in England, while another is inspired by the historic Rose Garden at the White House.
In front of the Norton Manor is a reflecting pool. “I got the idea from the Presidential Palace in India. The Taj Mahal also has a beautiful reflecting pool. It is indeed very nice in the evening, you can see the reflection of the house in the pool,” Islam said.
Islam said he and his wife Driesman were personally involved in every architectural aspect of this house.