havana mansion havana u.s. president barack obama family spend two nights survive war revolution albanian occupation u.s.-cuban diplomatic tie restore overall relations warm u.s. ambassadorial residence re-emerge center influence communist-ruled island build 1939 1942 two-story build half size white house accord u.s. state department data construct fine materials craftsmanship time unite state abandon 1961 1977 1959 cuban revolution overthrow pro-american government washington sever tie fidel castro leave home first albanian late swiss caretakers coral limestone exterior marble floor columns impose invite say one man live liken fine u.s. ambassadorial residences london paris buenos air place build impress say john caulfield america chief diplomat cuba 2011 2014 inhabit upstairs two-bedroom two-bath residential suite live room upper level also four large bedrooms private bath among presidential suite obama michelle obama two daughters first lady mother stay sunday monday nights first visit u.s. president cuba 88 years public work areas grind floor state department buy land build residence america draw world war two seek profile nation rise really example soft power walk door impress expensive expensive aircraft carrier caulfield say neighborhood know cubanacan call country club park build 5-acre 2-hectare plot swim pool tennis court bad public house caulfield say high rank official previously stay vice president richard nixon 1955. accord lore build winter white house president franklin roosevelt use wheelchair state department could confirm elevator ramp wide doorways make wheelchair-friendly 50 years americans disabilities act require feature government build mansion obama stay havana 'built impress