Iraqi Building Replica of the White House

A Kurdish business tycoon is building a $20 million replica of the White House in a swanky neighborhood in Erbil, Iraq. The knockoff is situated not 50 miles away from ISIS-held Mosul.

Shihab Shihab, a Kurdish business tycoon, commissioned the mansion to be built with Greek marble instead of sandstone, and while it is smaller than the original White House at 32,300 square feet, the home comes complete with a 9-foot crystal chandelier, 21-karat gold ceilings, and a Turkish bath.

Shihab dreams of Obama coming to visit the house in Kurdistan one day. "If Obama comes, I will invite him to come here," Shihab told NPR. "We will invite him to have Erbil kebab and fish."

Here's a peek inside the construction:

The mansion is being built in Erbil's Dream City, a luxury neighbourhood in northern Iraq lined with million-dollar villas.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The mansion is slightly smaller than the actual White House, measuring 32,300 square feet instead of 55,000 square feet. The home's columns have been finished with 21-karat gold leaf.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The banister of the home's grand staircase, as well as the ceiling, have also been trimmed with 21-karat gold.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

A large swimming pool is just one of many features Shihab has made on his replica of the White House.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

A Turkish bath, decorated with intricate Turkish tiles, is another.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Shihab hopes people will talk about his copy as much as they talk about the real White House. He plans to make this colorful room the gym.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The home will have two master bedrooms, but Shihab doesn't remember how many rooms the mansion has total — he told NPR it's so big, he can't keep track.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

When a buyer offered to pay $17 million for the mansion back in October, Shihab reportedly refused, according to the NY Daily News.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

"I wanted a house people would talk about," Shihab told NPR. "I wanted to create a new landmark that rivals the Citadel. And I think if you have money you should live in luxury."

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

A Tycoon In Iraq Is Building A $20 Million Replica Of The White House Miles From ISIS Strongholds

The mansion is being built in Erbil's Dream City, a luxury neighbourhood in northern Iraq lined with million-dollar villas. Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The mansion is slightly smaller than the actual White House, measuring 32,300 square feet instead of 55,000 square feet. The home's columns have been finished with 21-karat gold leaf. Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The banister of the home's grand staircase, as well as the ceiling, have also been trimmed with 21-karat gold. Matt Cardy/Getty Images

A large swimming pool is just one of many features Shihab has made on his replica of the White House. Matt Cardy/Getty Images

A Turkish bath, decorated with intricate Turkish tiles, is another. Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Shihab hopes people will talk about his copy as much as they talk about the real White House. He plans to make this colorful room the gym. Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The home will have two master bedrooms, but Shihab doesn't remember how many rooms the mansion has total — he told NPR it's so big, he can't keep track. Matt Cardy/Getty Images

When a buyer offered to pay $17 million for the mansion back in October, Shihab reportedly refused, according to the NY Daily News. Matt Cardy/Getty Images

"I wanted a house people would talk about," Shihab told NPR. "I wanted to create a new landmark that rivals the Citadel. And I think if you have money you should live in luxury." Matt Cardy/Getty Images