You’d think the Vice President of the United States has always had a swanky mansion to call home. Honestly, they didn't. For nearly two hundred years, the person "one heartbeat away" from the presidency was basically a nomad. They lived in hotels. They bought their own houses. They crashed in rented apartments. It was a chaotic, disorganized mess that lasted until the mid-1970s.
Then came Number One Observatory Circle.
Located on the lush grounds of the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., this white-painted brick Victorian is the official residence of the Vice President. It’s not the White House. It doesn’t have a West Wing. It’s actually kind of tucked away, which is exactly how the Navy liked it before the politicians moved in.
Why it took so long to find a home
Before 1974, the government didn't provide a house for the VP. Think about that. While the President was living in a 132-room mansion with a full staff, the Vice President was often scrambling to find a place that was both secure and fancy enough for foreign dignitaries.
Thomas Jefferson lived in a boarding house. Seriously.
John Tyler had to find his own place. Spiro Agnew lived in a suite at the Sheraton-Park Hotel. It wasn't just an issue of comfort; it was a massive security nightmare. Every time a new VP was elected, the Secret Service had to go into a private neighborhood, tear up a suburban house, and install bulletproof glass and secure phone lines. It cost a fortune. By the time they finished the upgrades, the VP’s term was usually half over.
Congress finally got tired of the bill. In 1974, they designated the house at the Naval Observatory as the official residence of the Vice President. But even then, nobody moved in right away. Gerald Ford became President before he could unpack, and Nelson Rockefeller—who was already incredibly wealthy—used it mostly for entertaining while staying at his own place on Foxhall Road. Walter Mondale was the first one to actually move his family in and call it home.
The weird architecture of Number One Observatory Circle
If you saw it from the street, you might think it’s just a very large, nice house in a historic neighborhood. It was built in 1893. Back then, it was for the superintendent of the Naval Observatory. It’s got that classic Queen Anne style: a big wraparound porch, round turrets, and a lot of intricate woodwork.
It’s about 9,000 square feet. Big, but not "palace" big.
The first floor is mostly for show. You’ve got the reception hall, a living room, a dining room, and a library. This is where the Vice President hosts world leaders and holds meetings. The second floor is the private residence. That’s where the bedrooms are. The third floor used to be servants' quarters, but now it’s mostly guest rooms and space for the kids.
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It feels lived-in. It’s not a museum.
One thing people forget is that the residence of the Vice President is still on an active military installation. You can’t just wander up to the front door. You have to pass through multiple security checkpoints just to get onto the grounds. The Navy still maintains the property, which leads to some interesting quirks. The chefs are often Navy mess stewards. The people keeping the grass trimmed? Navy personnel. It is a strange hybrid of a family home and a high-security military outpost.
The personal touches (and the pool)
Every family that moves in changes the place. They have to. If you’re living in a house that isn't yours, you find ways to make it feel like it is.
The Bushes added a jogging track.
Dan Quayle famously added a swimming pool. People gave him a hard time for it back in the day, but every Vice President since then has been quietly grateful for it. It was actually funded by private donations, not taxpayer money, which is a common theme for upgrades at the residence.
Joe Biden loved the place. He once called it "a beautiful place to live" and famously hosted a beach-themed party there for the press every year, complete with water guns. The Bidens also added a "Nature Heritage Garden" that features stones representing every state and territory.
Kamala Harris did a pretty extensive renovation before she moved in. They had to deal with the "bones" of the house—plumbing, heating, and old chimney liners. It delayed her move-in by several months. When you’re dealing with a Victorian house built in the late 1800s, you’re always one pipe burst away from a disaster. She also focused heavily on the kitchen, reflecting her well-known love for cooking.
The "Secret" Bunker Rumors
Whenever you talk about the residence of the Vice President, someone eventually brings up the bunker.
In 2002, neighbors started complaining about loud noises and heavy machinery. The Navy said they were doing "infrastructure improvements." People weren't buying it. The rumor mill went wild, claiming a massive underground bunker was being built so the VP could survive a nuclear strike or a terrorist attack.
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The government has never officially confirmed exactly what is under that house.
But it makes sense. After 9/11, the security protocols for the "spare" leader of the free world changed forever. Whether it’s a full-blown bunker or just a very secure basement with a lot of computers, Number One Observatory Circle is much more than a pretty house. It is a command center.
Living in a fishbowl
Imagine trying to have a private dinner while a Secret Service agent is standing in the hallway. Or trying to sleep while a Navy technician is fixing a boiler downstairs.
The residence of the Vice President isn't just a perk; it’s a job.
The Vice President's spouse—the Second Gentleman or Second Lady—usually takes the lead on managing the house. They coordinate with the staff, plan the events, and decide which art to hang on the walls. Most of the art is on loan from museums like the Smithsonian. You aren't just decorating a living room; you’re curating a representation of American culture for every foreign official who walks through the door.
The logistics of the move
Moving into the house is a whirlwind. You have a few weeks between the election and the inauguration to figure out what furniture fits and what goes into storage. Most VPs bring their own personal items for the second-floor bedrooms but leave the first-floor public rooms alone.
- The Navy provides the "household" staff.
- The Vice President pays for their own groceries.
- Private funds (the Vice President’s Residence Foundation) pay for major decor changes.
- Security is handled entirely by the Secret Service.
Why the location matters
The Naval Observatory is located on "Embassy Row" on Massachusetts Avenue. It’s geographically separate from the White House. This is intentional.
In a crisis, you don't necessarily want the President and the Vice President in the exact same building. Having the residence of the Vice President a few miles up the road provides a tactical advantage. It also gives the VP a bit of breathing room. They can have meetings away from the constant buzz of the West Wing. It’s a place for reflection, even if that reflection happens behind a 10-foot tall fence and bulletproof glass.
Modernizing a 19th-century relic
Maintaining a historic home is a nightmare. Doing it while a high-ranking government official lives there is even harder.
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The house has had issues with lead paint, old wiring, and outdated HVAC systems. In the 2020s, the focus shifted toward making the house more energy-efficient. It’s a weird balance: trying to keep the Victorian charm while stuffing it full of 21st-century technology.
There are sensors everywhere. The windows aren't just glass; they are multi-layered ballistic shields. The communications arrays on the roof are sophisticated enough to talk to submarines or satellites. Yet, from the outside, it still looks like a place where you'd sit on the porch and drink lemonade.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re interested in the history or the logistics of the residence of the Vice President, here is how you can actually engage with it:
Don't expect a tour. Unlike the White House, Number One Observatory Circle is not open to the public. You can't buy a ticket. The only way in is to be invited to a function or to work there.
Watch the perimeter. If you’re in D.C., you can walk past the grounds on Massachusetts Avenue. You’ll see the high fences and the security gates. It’s a great spot for a walk, as the surrounding neighborhood is full of beautiful embassies.
Follow the Second Spouse. The most current information about the house—new gardens, holiday decorations, or hosted events—usually comes from the social media accounts of the Vice President's spouse. They often share "behind the scenes" photos of the interior that you won't find anywhere else.
Research the USNO. Since the house is on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory, learning about the Observatory's mission (like keeping the nation's master clock) gives you a better understanding of why the site is so secure.
The residence of the Vice President serves as a bridge between the military and the executive branch. It’s a home, a fortress, and a piece of living history that finally gave the second-most powerful person in the country a permanent place to hang their hat.