Most hoi polloi probably have it away that theU.S. presidentlives and works in theWhite Houseat 1600 Pennsylvania Ave . , in Washington , D.C. , one of the most illustrious homes on the planet , and a symbol of the power and prestige of the presidency .
But what about thevice president , the No . 2 in theline of successionto the nation ’s high agency ? It ’s a post that ’s become increasingly authoritative as a informant of policy advice and legislative lobbying muscle in presidential administrations , but does it descend with an prescribed residence as well ?
The solution is yes . Since the mid-1970s , the vice president has had a mansion of his ( now her ) own as well , and though it ’s not as well know as the White House , it ’s pretty fancy and historic in its own right wing .
Where Does the VP Live?
Thevice president ’s residence , settle on the grounds of theUnited States Naval Observatoryabout 2.5 miles ( 4.02 kilometers ) northwest of the White House , does n’t have a likewise iconic name . Instead , it ’s often referred to unimaginatively as the VPR , or by using its address , Number One Observatory Circle .
" It ’s believably due to the fact that a catchy name simply did n’t develop , " explainsKyle Kopko , an accessory prof of political skill at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown , Pennsylvania , and the author of two book on vice presidential candidate . " The White House was n’t in the first place promise that . It developed over time . Originally the White House was promise the administrator mansion , or president ’s house , or various generic combination throughout history . " accord to theWhite House Historical Association , the presidential mansion was n’t formally named the White House until 1901 .
But do n’t let that characterless language fool you . No . 1 Observatory Circle , built in 1893 , is an ornate three - level Queen Anne - style brick Victorian home with 9,150 square feet ( 850 substantial metre ) of inner outer space , accord to Gail S. Cleere ’s 1989 book , " The House on Observatory Hill : Home of the Vice President of the United States . "
" The demands of the vice presidentship and the need for security measure necessitate a government - owned mansion for the frailty president and the 2nd family , " Kopko say . " The establishment of an official vice presidential residence also coincide with the acclivity of the office ’s informal ability . Historically , the office of the vice president was not very powerful , and the vice president primarily take for granted ceremonial duties . However , that change over prison term . frailty President now wager important consultatory roles , oversee policy , and assume a assortment of responsibleness on behalf of the president . "
The History of the Residence
Designed by Washington architectLeon E. Dessezand built by a Philadelphia - found expression firm , the theater to begin with was intend to attend to as the menage of the superintendent of the Naval Observatory , and to be a " nice country firm after the panache of the time , " as Cleere wrote .
The ground floor consists of a response hall , living room , sitting elbow room , sun porch and dining way and pantry , plus offices that were added on the home ’s due north side , according to Cleere ’s book . The second floor contains two bedrooms , a study , and a den , while the third base has four more way , which originally served as retainer ' quarters and storage area . In the basement , there ’s a kitchen , washables room and more entrepot .
A dozen observation tower super lived in the sign of the zodiac from 1893 to 1927 . But the mansion was coveted by various officer who agree the post of Chief of Naval Operations , and in 1928 , Congress finally die a constabulary pay it to the CNO at the time , Admiral Charles Frederick Hughes(known as " Handlebars " because of his luxuriant mustache ) . He moved into the house the undermentioned yr , according to Cleere ’s story .
Vice presidents , though , had to ascertain their own spot to live . Most either resided in their own abode , or asCalvin Coolidgedid during theWarren G. Hardingadministration , live on in hotels . Coolidge , who became president after Harding ’s death in 1923 , may have been the first to advocate the notion of giving the vice chair an official home , in hold on with the dignity of the office . " The nifty office should have a settled and lasting abode and a place , irrespective of the fiscal ability of its temporary resident , " Coolidge compose in hismemoirs .
By the mid-1960s , though , the disbursal of outfit frailty presidential residence with passable security and communication equipment prompted Congress topass a billauthorizing construction of a Modern base for the vice president on a fate of the Naval Observatory dry land , at a cost of $ 750,000 ( about $ 6 million in today ’s dollars ) . But as the price of the Vietnam warfare intensify , then - frailty chairwoman Hubert Humphrey require that the projection be delayed as " an lesson of prudent budget pattern , " and the Modern sign was never build up , according to this2017 Indianapolis Star clause .
Meanwhile , the government continued to drop a circumstances outfitting vice presidential residences . AfterPresident Richard NixonpickedGerald R. Fordto replace Spiro Agnew as vice prexy when Agnewresigned in 1973 , construction prole descended upon Ford ’s home in Alexandria , Virginia , to make all-embracing modifications , including installation ofbullet - tolerant windows . Those retrofits were only needed for nine months , because Ford eventually replaced Nixon as president .
finally , as Cleere ’s volume billet , Congress decided that what was , at the sentence , called the Admiral House represent another , flashy choice . In 1974 , Congresspassed legislationthat lead Number One Observatory Circle away from the CNO and made it the vice presidential mansion house . ( The CNO was relocated toTingey House , an 1804 Georgian - style hall that stands in theWashington Navy Yard . )
But the transition did n’t come about mighty away . Vice PresidentNelson Rockefellernever in reality moved into Number One Observatory Circle , though he used it for official events . Walter Mondale , who move into the mansion in 1977 , was its first vice presidential occupant .
Over the year , various modifications have been made to the vice presidential residence . Dan Quayle , who served as vice chairman during the George H.W. Bush administration , added a swim pool , fit in toThe Hill . Karen Pence , the wife of Donald J. Trump ’s vice presidentMike Pence , added a beehive as a admonisher of bees ' important use in agriculture , CNN reportedin 2017 .
AfterKamala Harriswas sworn in as frailty Chief Executive of the United States in January 2021 , she and her husband Doug Emhoff did n’t immediately move in . alternatively , they temporarily lead up residence inBlair House , the presidential node residence at 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House , so thatrepairs and maintenancecould be completed .
HowStuffWorks may make a small commission from affiliate links in this article .
