The neoclassical building in Washington, D.C., that is home to the U.S. president is the White House.
Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the White House is both the president’s official residence and a principal workplace. Irish-born architect James Hoban designed it in a neoclassical style, drawing especially on Palladian and classical architectural ideas. Construction began in 1792, and President John Adams became the first president to live there in 1800.
The building’s walls are made from Aquia Creek sandstone, which was painted white. It was badly damaged when British forces burned Washington during the War of 1812 in 1814. Reconstruction followed, and later additions included the South Portico in 1824 and the North Portico in 1829.
The White House has not always been its official name. Earlier terms included the President’s Palace, Presidential Mansion, and Executive Mansion. “The White House” became the formal name in 1901 under President Theodore Roosevelt. A common mix-up is confusing it with the Capitol Building: the White House is the presidential residence and executive workplace, while the Capitol is where Congress meets.