Number One Observatory Circle: A Look Inside the Vice President's Official Residence

Number One Observatory Circle serves as the official residence for the Vice President of the United States. Situated within the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., the historic home became the official vice presidential residence in 1974.

Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance, along with their three children, moved into the residence in 2025. The couple is reportedly expecting their fourth child in July. The 9,150-square-foot property is equipped with various features, including a swimming pool, a running track, a garden, and a chicken coop that matches the mansion's architectural style.

Built in 1893, the residence was originally constructed for the Naval Observatory's superintendent. It began housing the chief of naval operations in 1923. Though Congress allocated funds for its refurbishment for vice presidential use in 1974, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, serving under President Gerald Ford, utilized the home for events but did not reside there. Walter Mondale, Vice President under President Jimmy Carter, became the first to live in the residence full-time, moving in during 1977.

The residence contains 33 rooms, including six bedrooms, a dining room, a garden room, a study, and an attic. Over the years, stories of the residence being haunted have circulated, with Walter Mondale's daughter, Eleanor, reportedly seeing a ghost in her bedroom and contacting the Secret Service.

The U.S. Naval Observatory, established in 1830, is one of the nation's oldest scientific agencies. Its mission involves collecting astronomical data to provide accurate positioning, navigation, and timing for the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense.

According to Business Insider, the home features both personal touches and luxury additions from its inhabitants.