You probably know 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It’s the most famous house in the world. But if you’re looking for where is the vice president house, you won't find it anywhere near the tourists taking selfies at the White House gates. Honestly, most people just assume the VP lives in a side wing of the mansion or some fancy apartment nearby.
They don't.
The Vice President lives about two and a half miles away from the President. It’s a quiet, hilly spot tucked inside the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory. The address is Number One Observatory Circle. It's way more secluded than the White House. You can't just walk up to the fence and peer in. If you try, you'll meet some very polite, very serious Secret Service agents long before you see a window.
The Hidden History of Number One Observatory Circle
This house wasn't built for a politician. Not at all. Back in 1893, a guy named Leon E. Dessez designed it for the superintendent of the Naval Observatory. It was basically a "perk" for the person running the telescopes. It’s a classic Queen Anne-style Victorian. Big wrap-around porch. Ornate trim. Lots of brick.
For decades, it was known as the "Admiral's House." Why? Well, in 1923, the Chief of Naval Operations—the top dog in the Navy—decided he liked the house so much he wanted it for himself. He basically kicked the superintendent out.
Why the VP moved in
Before 1974, Vice Presidents were kind of on their own. They lived in their own private homes, hotels, or rented apartments. Imagine that today. It was a security nightmare. Every time a new VP was elected, the Secret Service had to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to "harden" a private house with bulletproof glass and secure phone lines.
📖 Related: Charlie Gunn Lynnville Indiana: What Really Happened at the Family Restaurant
Congress finally got tired of the bill. They looked at the Admiral's House and said, "That'll do."
What it's like inside the Vice President's house
The house is big, but not "palace" big. We’re talking about 9,000 square feet. That sounds massive, but compared to the White House's 55,000 square feet, it’s actually kinda cozy. It has 33 rooms spread across three floors.
The layout is pretty traditional:
- First Floor: This is for the "official" stuff. There’s a dining room, a library, and a garden room. This is where the VP hosts world leaders for breakfast or fancy receptions.
- Second Floor: The private quarters. This is where the family actually lives. It’s got a master suite and a study.
- Third Floor: Used to be for servants back in the 1890s, but now it’s mostly bedrooms for kids or guests.
- The Basement: This is where the real work happens—the kitchen and the laundry.
Personal touches from the "Second Families"
Every family that moves in adds something weird or cool. It’s a tradition now.
Dan Quayle is the reason there’s a swimming pool. He wanted one, so he raised private money to build it. George H.W. Bush added a quarter-mile jogging track because he was into fitness. The Bidens added a "Family Heritage Garden" with stones representing all the previous residents and their pets.
👉 See also: Charcoal Gas Smoker Combo: Why Most Backyard Cooks Struggle to Choose
Even the newer residents have left their mark. JD Vance, who moved in during January 2025, brought his young family into the mix, continuing the tradition of the house being a "real" home rather than just a museum.
Can you visit where the vice president house is?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Still no.
Unlike the White House, which has public tours if you plan months in advance, Number One Observatory Circle is strictly off-limits. It's located on an active military installation. The Naval Observatory still does real science there—they keep the official time for the United States.
You can drive past the gates on Massachusetts Avenue, but all you'll see are trees and a very secure-looking entrance. If you want a glimpse, your best bet is looking at the official photos released by the White House Historical Association. They’re the ones who keep the archives on what the wallpaper looks like this year.
✨ Don't miss: Celtic Knot Engagement Ring Explained: What Most People Get Wrong
Why this location still matters in 2026
Even with all the tech we have today, the physical location of the VP matters. It provides a "safe house" that is separate from the West Wing. If there’s a security threat at the White House, the VP is already in a different, highly secure location.
It’s also about prestige. The house represents the growing power of the Vice Presidency. A hundred years ago, the job was a joke. Now, the VP is a central player in global diplomacy. You can’t host the Prime Minister of the UK in a rented two-bedroom condo.
Actionable Insights for Your Next DC Trip
If you're heading to Washington D.C. and want to feel the "vibe" of where the Vice President lives without getting tackled by security, here's what to do:
- Walk the Embassy Row: The house is right on the edge of Embassy Row. You can walk down Massachusetts Avenue and see the British Embassy, which is literally right next door to the Naval Observatory grounds.
- Visit the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office: You can’t go to the house, but you can sometimes get tours of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) next to the White House. That’s where the VP’s "fancy" office is—the one with the famous desk that every VP since Truman has signed.
- Check the Master Clock: The Naval Observatory is where the time is kept. You can actually call a phone number (202-762-1401) to hear the official time as recorded just feet away from where the Vice President is likely eating dinner.
The house at Number One Observatory Circle remains one of the most private pieces of American history. It's a 19th-century relic serving a 21st-century purpose, hidden in plain sight behind a wall of trees and Navy security.