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The public is getting its first sneak peak inside an elaborate new court house that has been dubbed the “Taj Mahal” by lawmakers and writers alike. But some of thew most opulent areas are off limits for pictures.

The appellate courthouse is massive, 109,000 square feet.

Inside a glass domed ceiling sits a 70 foot space for spectators. Each of the fifteen judges has a suite, but the judge’s suites are off limits to the public and photographers.  Lauren Engel from Department of Management Services says their hands are tied.

“It’s security reasons. We follow the federal protocols on that, so we just follow what they set up.”

But even though the chambers are off limits, CFO Alex Sink provided a glimpse of the judicial suites with still photos collected during her audit. They show each chamber with a private bath and kitchen complete with granite counter tops.

What you won’t see on the walls of this elaborate building is expensive art work. The CFO denied payment for hundreds of framed pictures in August, an expense she called excessive.

“This is imported African mahogany” Sink said at the time, while holding a piece of courthouse trim. “There are 20 miles of this mahogany in this building.”

The agency responsible for construction has been criticized for letting judges lavishness run unchecked, but Lauren Engel says the agency was just doing what it was told.

“DMS worked with the courts to put out a building that was completed on time and on the budget we were appropriated by the legislature,” Engel said.

Lawmakers are expected to conduct their own investigation in the construction early next year.