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The Mar-a-Lago Estate was opened officially in January of 1927 after
four years of construction. Marjorie Merriweather Post (then Mrs. E.F.
Hutton) searched for several years to find a proper location between
the ocean and Lake Worth. The quest for a new home was begun when it
became apparent that she was to be the dowager queen of Palm Beach.
At the time, there was little else here but undergrowth and swampy grounds,
seemingly of not much use for a building site. With her realtor, she
crawled through underbrush of jungle-type growth; the consequence of
that search is the main house “Mar-a-Lago”, which is Latin
for “Sea to Lake.” This hurricane resistant structure is
anchored by concrete and steel to a coral reef, and the whole of the
property comprises approximately twenty acres of perfectly landscaped
lawns. Across the southeast lawn, a Chattahoochee stone path leads
to a tunnel under South Ocean Boulevard which opens onto the Beach
Club.
The site on which Mar-a-Lago sits is now considered the most valuable
parcel of land anywhere in Florida.
The main house is an adaptation of
the Hispano-Moresque style, long popular among the villas of the Mediterranean.
It is crescent-shaped with an
upper and lower cloister along the concave side of the building that
faces Lake Worth. A seventy-five foot tower tops the structure, affording
a magnificent view in all directions for miles. Three boatloads of
Dorian stone were brought from Genoa, Italy for the construction of the
exterior
walls, arches and some of the interior. The stone was chosen for its
quality of aging rapidly and for its adaptability to intricate carving.
Upon close examination, tiny seashells and fossils can be seen in this
distinctive stone of the 114 room ocean-to-lake villa. One of the attractions
of Mar-a-Lago is the predominant use of Old Spanish tiles throughout.
Mrs. Post acquired approximately 36,000 tiles that had been collected
by the late Mrs. Horace Havermeyer in the 1800’s. Among the earliest
tiles, dating back to the 15th century, is the “Plus Ultra” tile,
translated as “Beyond the Ultimate”, a Roman influence
upon the Moors.
The architecture, sculpture, planning and craftsmanship
that went into
this magnificent estate could not be duplicated today. It was Mrs.
Post’s
plan to bring together many Old World features of the Spanish, Venetian
and Portuguese styles. She worked closely with Marion Wyeth, a well-known
architect, on the exact size, placement and design of the floor plan.
Joseph Urban, once the architect for the Emperor Franz Joseph and for
the Khedive of Egypt, was called in from Vienna for the more elaborate
details. Urban then sent to Vienna for eminent sculptor Professor Franz
Barwig and his son who worked for nearly three years modeling and carving
extraordinary sculptures. The models for the parrots, monkeys and other
motifs are still preserved on the premises.
Practically all labor came
from adjacent areas; the ironwork was cast and wrought in West Palm
Beach, and the fine old cypress wood for doors,
beams and every
other possible use was purchased locally. The only exceptions were the Dorian
stone, the Spanish tiles, the approximately 20,000 Cuban roofing tiles, and
2,200 square feet of black and white marble from an old castle in Cuba, which
was used for the dining room floor.
In January 1969, The Department of the
Interior designated the estate as “The
Mar-a-Lago National Historic Site”. The property was placed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1972 by an Act of Congress. Until
her death
in 1973, Mrs. Post used the estate as a haven for many notable dignitaries.
After her death, the estate was transferred by her will to the Federal Government
for use as a diplomatic/presidential retreat. Ten years later, due to maintenance
and security concerns, the government conferred title to the Post Foundation.
In 1985, Donald J. Trump purchased the property from the Post Foundation
and used the estate as a private residence until 1995. In April of 1995,
Mar-a-Lago
became established as The Mar-a-Lago Club. It is the last remaining Palm
Beach estate still containing its buildings and land in almost identical
form as
its original conception. With the granting of easements to the National Trust
for Historic Preservation, The Mar-a-Lago Club carries with it a built in
constituency that ensures its stewardship into the future.
Donald J. Trump
has since built a magnificent swimming pool, an award winning
beauty salon, a world-class spa, one grass and five red clay championship
tennis courts and a remarkable croquet court. The property also boasts
two retail
outlets: a tennis pro shop overlooking Lake Worth and a boutique adjacent
to the Trump Spa. In addition, Mr. Trump has modernized the Gold & White
Ballroom, brought back to life the pitch and putt golf course, and built
a magnificent
Beach Club… the finest on the Island of Palm Beach. Completed in
2005 is the all-new Donald J. Trump Grand Ballroom. At 20,000 sq. feet,
it is
the largest on the island. The exterior was designed in the Spanish / Mediterranean
style to conform to the exterior of the house. The interior is in a Louis
XIV
gold and crystal finish that is one of the finest spaces of its kind in
the country. In a new building adjacent to the ballroom is a complementary
state-of-the-art
kitchen.
The Mar-a-Lago Club has a special quality of timelessness that
transcends the transition into the new millennium. The splendor, style
and elegance
of what
may be the world’s most beautiful and exclusive private club is truly
ageless. Donald J. Trump has invested millions of dollars in restoring
and upgrading this “Jewel of Palm Beach,” creating the finest
experience anywhere in luxury, relaxation, dining, entertainment and recreation – all
in an unparalleled setting.
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