You’d think the person a heartbeat away from the presidency would bunk at the White House. Honestly, most people just assume there’s a side wing or a fancy basement suite at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the Number Two. But they don't live there. Not even close.
If you’re looking for where is the vp residence, you have to head about two and a half miles northwest of the Oval Office. Tucked away on a lush, high-security hill in Washington, D.C., sits a white Victorian mansion that looks more like a grand family home than a government fortress.
The official address is Number One Observatory Circle.
It’s hidden behind the heavy iron gates of the United States Naval Observatory. While the President is surrounded by the concrete and tourists of downtown, the Vice President is living among telescopes and high-tech atomic clocks. It’s weird, historic, and kinda fascinating once you get into the details of why they live on a Navy base in the first place.
The Secret Spot at Number One Observatory Circle
The house isn't just a house. It’s a 9,150-square-foot Queen Anne-style masterpiece built back in 1893. If you were to drive past the Naval Observatory on Massachusetts Avenue, you’d barely see it. The trees are thick. The security is, as you’d expect, intense.
For nearly a century, Vice Presidents were basically on their own. They lived in hotels, rented apartments, or bought their own houses in the city. Can you imagine the logistical nightmare? The Secret Service had to scramble to secure a different private home every time a new VP was sworn in. By the 1960s, the cost of installing bulletproof glass and secure phone lines in random suburban houses became ridiculously expensive.
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Finally, in 1974, Congress got tired of the bill. They decided the Vice President needed a permanent spot. They looked around and saw "Admiral’s House" on the Naval Observatory grounds. It was stately, it was already on a secure military site, and—most importantly—it was already owned by the government.
Moving in (Eventually)
Even after Congress designated the place, it took a while for anyone to actually sleep there. Gerald Ford was supposed to be the first resident, but Nixon resigned, and Ford moved into the White House instead. Then came Nelson Rockefeller. He was incredibly wealthy and already had a massive, secure estate in D.C. He used the VP residence for parties but never officially moved his bed there.
It wasn't until Walter Mondale in 1977 that a Vice President actually called the place home. Since then, it’s hosted everyone from the Bushes and the Gores to the Cheneys, Bidens, Pences, Harrises, and now the Vance family.
Every family leaves their mark.
- George H.W. Bush put in a horseshoe pit and a quarter-mile running track.
- Dan Quayle added a heated swimming pool.
- The Bidens were big on the "Nature Trail" and hosting legendary pool parties for the media.
What’s inside the house?
It’s not as massive as the White House, but it’s plenty big. We’re talking 33 rooms spread across three floors.
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On the ground floor, you’ve got the formal stuff: a reception hall, a dining room that can seat a crowd, and a sun porch. The second floor is where the actual living happens, with the master bedroom and a private study. The third floor, which used to be servants' quarters, now has four bedrooms for family or guests. The kitchen? It’s actually in the basement.
One of the coolest things about the location is that the Naval Observatory is still a working scientific site. The Vice President literally lives right next to the Master Clock of the United States. This is the clock that keeps the official time for the entire country. If your phone or computer says it's 1:00 PM, it's because a clock a few hundred feet from the VP’s bedroom says so.
Can You Visit the VP Residence?
Here is the short answer: No.
Unlike the White House, which has public tours (if you book way in advance through your Member of Congress), Number One Observatory Circle is closed to the public. There are no tour lines. No gift shop. It is a private residence first and foremost.
You can sometimes catch a glimpse of the grounds if you visit the Naval Observatory for a rare public star-gazing night, but even then, the house is off-limits. Most of us will only ever see the inside through official photos or the occasional televised interview from the lawn.
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Why the Location Matters
Being 2.5 miles away from the White House provides a bit of a "buffer." It allows the Vice President to have a life that is slightly—just slightly—removed from the 24/7 chaos of the West Wing.
It’s also a powerful symbol of the Navy’s history in the capital. The land was originally a farm called Northview, owned by a woman named Margaret Barber. The Navy bought it in 1880 because it was high on a hill, away from the city's "light pollution," making it perfect for looking at stars. Today, that elevation makes it perfect for security.
Key Takeaways for Your Next D.C. Trip
If you're heading to Washington and want to see where the VP lives, keep these things in mind:
- Don't go to the White House. You won't find them there.
- Head to Embassy Row. The residence is located at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and 34th Street NW.
- Look for the British Embassy. The VP’s driveway is right across from it.
- Respect the perimeter. It is a high-security military installation. Taking photos of the gate is fine, but don't expect to get past the guards.
Basically, the VP residence is a mix of Victorian charm and military precision. It’s the "other" white house in D.C., and while it doesn't get the fame of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, it’s a vital piece of American history hidden in plain sight.
Actionable Next Steps:
To see the house for yourself without getting tackled by the Secret Service, check out the White House Historical Association website. They have a digital collection of interior photos and historical anecdotes from past Second Families that offer the closest view you'll get of the property. If you're a fan of architecture, look up the "Queen Anne style" to see how the house's terracotta brick and wrap-around porch fit into late 19th-century trends.