White House

The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. Construction began in 1792 and the building has served as the president’s home and executive offices since about 1800.

The complex includes the Executive Residence, the West Wing with the Oval Office and principal working offices, and the East Wing with visitor reception rooms and administrative offices. Public access is limited and typically arranged through advance tour requests coordinated with congressional offices or embassies.

Exterior vantage points and ceremonial grounds such as Lafayette Square and the South Lawn are commonly used by visitors for views and photography, while interior access is restricted and controlled for security reasons.

Designed by architect James Hoban and constructed in the 1790s, the White House was burned and rebuilt following the 1814 British attack and subsequently expanded and renovated in later administrations. Major internal reconstruction took place in the mid-20th century and the complex has evolved with successive presidential needs.

Sited in the northwest quadrant of central Washington, D.C., the White House faces Pennsylvania Avenue and is located roughly one mile north of the National Mall.

• Public tours: Public tours are available by advance request through a member of Congress for U.S. residents or through a foreign embassy for non-residents and are subject to security screening and limited availability.
• Best viewing points: Primary public viewing points from outside security perimeters include Lafayette Square to the north and the Pennsylvania Avenue sidewalk to the south; photography and approach are limited by security.

What to See #

• West Wing: The executive offices and the Oval Office are located in a section of the complex that houses the president's primary working spaces and staff offices, with restricted public access.
• East Wing: A wing of the main house used for receptions and some public events, and where visitor tours sometimes pass through as permitted by advance arrangement and security screening.