Casa Rosada is the executive building and official workplace of Argentina’s president in Buenos Aires.
Its formal Spanish name is Casa de Gobierno, meaning “Government House,” but the building is almost universally known as Casa Rosada because of its distinctive pink exterior. It stands at Balcarce 50 beside Plaza de Mayo, the historic civic square at the heart of Buenos Aires.
The present structure developed through the joining of two buildings: an old post office begun in 1873 and a government house begun in 1882. They were connected in the late nineteenth century, creating the recognizable complex. The building combines Italianate and eclectic architectural features and contains ceremonial rooms, presidential offices and a museum devoted to Argentina’s presidents.
A frequent misconception is that Casa Rosada is the president’s private residence. It is the official workplace and seat of executive activity; the president’s official residence is Quinta de Olivos in Greater Buenos Aires. The building is also a National Historic Monument of Argentina.