Alright mystery buffs and Netflix bingers gather ‘round! There is a brand-new series hitting the streaming giant called The Residence and it's already got people buzzing. Think classic whodunit vibes set in a location you might recognize: The White House! But this isn't just your average political drama. This one has a murder a quirky detective and a whole lot of secrets hiding behind those famous walls.
Welcome to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (on a Soundstage): The Jaw-Dropping White House Set of The Residence
Seriously the first thing that grabs you about The Residence is the White House itself. The show opens by taking you on a tour of this iconic building showcasing the grand staircases long hallways and all those instantly recognizable rooms. But here's a fun fact: they didn't actually film at the real White House!
Production designer François Audouy and his team built an absolutely massive replica at Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles. We are talking the "largest re-creation of the White House ever attempted" according to Audouy. They used seven whole sound stages packed in 10 miles of molding and 200 real working doors. Actor Giancarlo Esposito who plays chief usher A.B. Wynter even said he felt like he was actually in the real White House which he has visited before. That's how detailed it is!
This wasn't just about making it look good though. The design of the White House set is key to the whole mystery. The layout of rooms secret passages and even the colors all play a role in unraveling the story. It’s like the White House itself becomes a character in this series.
Dollhouse Views and Secret Passageways: Clever Set Design Tricks That Make The Residence a Visual Treat
To help viewers get their bearings inside this sprawling set The Residence uses some really cool visual tricks. They have these things called "dollhouse shots" which are inspired by a real-life White House dollhouse from the 1970s. Imagine the camera pulling back through the walls giving you a bird's-eye view of the rooms all connected together.
These dollhouse shots are not just visually interesting they actually help you follow the story. You can see where characters are in relation to each other and how all the rooms fit together in this locked-house mystery. Creator Paul William Davies wanted to make sure viewers could really understand the geography of the White House so the mystery makes sense.
And speaking of secrets keep an eye out for the pocket staircases! These hidden passageways connect different floors adding another layer of intrigue to the White House setting. Production designer Audouy loves secret passageways and compares them to board games like "Chutes and Ladders" adding to the fun and mysterious vibe of the series.
From Spooky Game Rooms to Chic Presidential Suites: Exploring the Different Styles Inside The Residence White House
Each floor and room in The Residence White House has its own distinct style and vibe. The State Floor rooms like the Red Room Blue Room Green Room and East Room are described as jewel-toned with luxurious details. The production team even created a marble fireplace with a hand-carved inscription for the State Dining Room. But production designer Audouy admits he made these rooms even better than the real White House interiors adding "I think they’re improvements over the rooms that are really there... The White House is a beautiful building but [inside] it’s very beige."
Then you have the residential floors where the fictional President Perry Morgan lives. Here the style shifts to something more modern and chic. Audouy imagined President Morgan hired his own interior designer to create a fresh contemporary look with heightened colors and a "seductive aesthetic". Even the art collection in the show is carefully curated with pieces from the late 19th and early 20th centuries to fit the style of this fictional president.
And for a bit of spooky fun check out the Game Room where the body is discovered. It is designed with charcoal gray walls a deep blue star-spangled carpet and portraits of presidents in sporting moments creating a dark and history-filled atmosphere. It's all about setting the mood for a good murder mystery!
Behind the Scenes: Meticulous Research and a Real White House Consultant
Creating such an authentic and detailed White House set was no easy task. The production team worked closely with a White House consultant Haley Rivero O’Connor to ensure accuracy. They even sourced a list of every book in the real White House Library and filled their set library with similar volumes. That's dedication to detail!
Creator Paul William Davies was inspired by Kate Andersen Brower’s non-fiction book "The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House" and wanted to show viewers a side of the White House they don't usually see focusing on the lives of the staff who keep everything running smoothly. Even the Chief Usher's office which is rarely seen in photos was recreated for the show adding to the feeling of going behind the scenes of this famous building.
Listing of Key White House Set Locations in The Residence:
- Third Floor: Presidential guest quarters including bedrooms and the Game Room
- Second Floor: Presidential family area with the Yellow Oval Room Lincoln Bedroom and Treaty Room
- First Floor (State Floor): Formal rooms like the State Dining Room Red Room Blue Room Green Room and East Room
- Ground Floor: Lower level with rooms like the Map Room Diplomatic Reception Room and China Room
- Basement: Staff headquarters with areas for electricians housekeepers and a mysterious incinerator room
- South Portico and South Lawn: Exterior areas also recreated on set
Get Ready to be Immersed: The White House Set of The Residence is a Character Itself
So if you are planning to watch The Residence get ready to be blown away by the incredible White House set. It is more than just a backdrop it is an integral part of the show bringing authenticity mystery and a whole lot of visual appeal. From secret passageways to grand state rooms the set of The Residence is a character in itself waiting to be explored. Prepare to be transported inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue like you have never seen it before!