Isabella Carter
Despite popular assumption, the Vice President (VP) of the United States does not live in the White House. Since 1974, the VP has officially resided in the Vice Presidential Residence, also known as Number One Observatory Circle, located on the grounds of the US Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. This separate residence provides the VP with a private and comfortable living space, allowing them to experience life in the nation's capital and engage with the local community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| VP's residence | Vice Presidential Residence, Number One Observatory Circle |
| Location | Grounds of the Naval Observatory, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C. |
| Distance from the White House | 2.5 miles |
| Year it became the official residence | 1974 |
| Year the first VP moved in | 1977 |
| Size | 7,900 square feet |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 or 6 |
| Number of bathrooms | 5 |
| Other features | Private dining room, family room, library, private garden, parking garage, swimming pool, basketball court, beehive |
| Staff | Residence manager, housekeeper, chef |
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What You'll Learn
The VP's official residence
Despite the common misconception that the VP lives in the White House, the Vice President (VP) of the United States typically resides in the Vice Presidential Residence, situated on the grounds of the Naval Observatory. The official residence, also known as Number One Observatory Circle, has been the VP's home since 1974. It is located 2.5 miles from the White House in Washington, D.C.
The VP's residence is a private and comfortable 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom townhouse with a living area of 7,900 square feet. It features a private dining room, a family room, a library, and a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. The residence also boasts a private garden and a parking garage. The house was originally built in 1893 for the superintendent of the Naval Observatory and was later renovated in 1974 to become the VP's residence. The interior trim is painted white, and the walls feature neutral colours, with little consideration given to historic preservation.
The residence provides a unique opportunity for the VP to experience life in Washington, D.C., and engage with the local community. It serves as a symbol of the United States' commitment to the presidency and the importance of the Vice Presidency. The house is staffed by a small team, including a residence manager, a housekeeper, and a chef.
Walter Mondale was the first VP to move into the residence in 1977, and since then, every VP has lived there. Notable additions to the grounds include a tree swing added by Joe Biden in 2010, a beehive and basketball court added by Mike Pence in 2017, and a pomegranate tree planted by Kamala Harris in 2024.
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The history of Number One Observatory Circle
Number One Observatory Circle, located on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., has been the official residence of the vice president of the United States since 1974. The house was initially built in 1893 for the observatory's superintendent and designed by architect Leon E. Dessez. The U.S. Navy's chief of naval operations (CNO) took a liking to the house and took it over for himself in 1923. It remained the residence of the CNO until 1974 when Congress decided that it would be more cost-effective to provide security at a government-provided residence for the vice president.
The decision to transform the house into the vice president's residence was also influenced by the increasing cost of adding security and communication equipment to each new vice presidential residence. Thus, Number One Observatory Circle became the first official residence for the vice president, albeit a temporary one. The 1974 congressional authorization covered the refurbishment and furnishing of the house, including replacing and updating building systems and increasing the size of several rooms by removing internal walls. However, little consideration was given to historic preservation during this renovation.
Despite being made available to the vice president in 1974, it was not until 1977 that Vice President Walter Mondale and his family became the first official full-time residents of the home. Every vice president since has lived there. The residence provides a comfortable and private living space for the vice president, separate from the White House. It includes five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a private dining room, a family room, a library, and a master bedroom with a private bathroom. The surrounding property features a private garden, a parking garage, and a basketball court.
Number One Observatory Circle has been the subject of several books and photographic projects, capturing its history and the people who have called it home. It is a prestigious yet relatively unknown address, situated in a serene setting surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife, while also being just a short distance from the busy traffic of Massachusetts Avenue.
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The VP's residence vs. the White House
Despite the common misconception that the Vice President (VP) of the United States lives in the White House, the VP has their own official residence, known as the Vice Presidential Residence or Number One Observatory Circle. This has been the case since 1974.
The VP's residence is located on the grounds of the Naval Observatory, which serves as the headquarters of the US Navy, and is situated at 1849 C Street NW in Washington, D.C. The residence is designed to offer a comfortable and private living space, separate from the White House. It is a 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom townhouse with a total living area of 7,900 square feet. It includes a private dining room, a family room, a library, and a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. The residence also boasts a private garden and a parking garage.
The VP's residence is more than just a place to live; it provides a unique opportunity for the VP to experience life in Washington, D.C., and engage with the local community. At the same time, it serves as a symbol of the importance of the Vice Presidency and the nation's commitment to the presidency. The residence is staffed by a small team, including a residence manager, a housekeeper, and a chef.
On the other hand, the White House is the official residence of the President of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. The White House is not only the residence of the President but also the administrative headquarters of the President and their staff. It is a symbol of the US government and the office of the President. The White House is a much larger and grander building than the VP's residence, reflecting the higher status and responsibilities of the President.
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![Historic Framed Print, [Residence of Vice President and Mrs. Charles G. Dawes, 1620 Belmont Road, Washington, D.C.].Underwood & Underwood, Washington, D.C., 17-7/8" x 21-7/8"](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41VWqUHJ9OL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The VP's residence features
The Vice President's Residence, also known as Number One Observatory Circle, has been the official residence of the VP since 1974. It is located on the grounds of the Naval Observatory, a complex of buildings that serves as the headquarters of the US Navy, situated at 1849 C Street NW in Washington, D.C. The residence is designed to offer a comfortable and private living space, separate from the White House.
The VP's residence is a 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom townhouse with a total living area of 7,900 square feet. It features a private dining room, a family room, a library, and a master bedroom with an attached bathroom. The residence also includes a private garden and a parking garage. The garden, known as the Family Heritage Garden, contains stones commemorating the vice-presidential families who have lived in the house, including their pets. The garden is accented by an arbor, a fountain, and hydrangea plants.
The residence is staffed by a small team, including a residence manager, a housekeeper, and a chef. The house was designed by architect Leon E. Dessez and built in 1893 for $20,000 (equivalent to $699,926 in 2024) for the superintendent of the Naval Observatory, who was the original resident. It is constructed in the Queen Anne style and is surrounded by a forest-like setting with lush greenery and wildlife.
In recent years, the residence has undergone extensive remodels and upgrades. In 2010, Vice President Joe Biden added a tree swing to the grounds as a Valentine's Day gift for his wife, Jill Biden. In 2017, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence added a beehive and a basketball court to the grounds. In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris planted a pomegranate tree to commemorate the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
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The VP's residence and the local community
The Vice President's Residence, also known as Number One Observatory Circle, has been the official residence of the VP since 1974. Located on the grounds of the Naval Observatory, the complex serves as the headquarters of the US Navy. The VP's residence is situated at 1849 C Street NW in Washington, D.C.
The residence is designed to offer a comfortable and private living space, separate from the White House. It is a 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom townhouse with a living area of 7,900 square feet. The house features a private dining room, a family room, a library, and a master bedroom with an attached bathroom. It also includes a private garden and a parking garage. The residence is staffed by a small team, including a residence manager, a housekeeper, and a chef.
The VP's residence provides an opportunity for the Vice President to experience life in Washington, D.C., and engage with the local community. It serves as a symbol of the country's commitment to the presidency and the importance of the Vice Presidency. The grounds of the residence include the Family Heritage Garden, dedicated in 2012, which contains stones commemorating the vice presidential families who have lived in the house, including their pets. The garden is accented by an arbor, a fountain, and hydrangea plants.
The residence has undergone several renovations and remodels over the years. In 2010, Vice President Joe Biden added a tree swing to the grounds for his wife, Jill Biden. In 2017, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence added a beehive and a basketball court to the grounds. In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris planted a pomegranate tree to commemorate the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. The property is bordered by a dense forest, providing privacy and shielding it from the noise of nearby Massachusetts Avenue.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the VP does not live at the White House.
The VP lives in the Vice Presidential Residence, also known as Number One Observatory Circle.
The residence is a 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom townhouse with a total living area of 7,900 square feet. It features a private dining room, a family room, a library, and a master bedroom with a private bathroom. It also includes a private garden and a parking garage.
The Vice Presidential Residence became the official residence in 1974.
Walter Mondale was the first VP to live in the residence, moving in with his family in 1977.
