June 23, 2021
The White House is the formal office and residence of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. in Washington, D.C, it is perhaps the most renowned and easily identifiable building in the world, serving as both the residence and workplace of the president and the headquarters of the president’s main staff members.
Since the administration of George Washington (1789 - 1797), every U.S. president has lived in the White House. On early maps, it was called the “President’s Palace” and was officially named the Executive Mansion in 1810 to avoid connotations of royalty. However, the name “White House” became official in 1901 when it was approved by President Theodore Roosevelt. Its premises occupy 18 acres (7.2 hectares).It is the oldest federal building in the nation’s capital, but what makes the White House one of the world’s most secure buildings? Read on to find out.
The White House
Construction of the White House, Washington, D.C
Although there is no record of a proper ceremony, construction of the White House started in October 1792 with the laying of the cornerstone. African-American laborers, employed Europeans, and several immigrants constructed the main residence and foundations of the building. The initial construction took place over eight (8) years, reportedly at a cost of $232,371.83. Even though it was not completed, the White House was ready for tenancy by November 1800.The completed structure included only two main floors rather than the planned three and a low-cost brick served as a lining for the stone facades. Once the construction was over, the porous sandstone walls were whitewashed with a mixture of lime, rice glue, casein, and lead, giving the building its familiar color and name.
The White House
Facts About the White House, Washington, D.C
- There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and six (6) levels in the building. It has 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, eight (8) staircases, and three (3) elevators.
- The building requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its external surface.
- Several times in history, the White House was recognized as the “President’s Palace,” the “President’s House,” and the “Executive Mansion”.
- President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its existing name in 1901.
- The White House kitchen can serve dinner to as many as 140 guests and appetizers to over 1,000.
Facilities in the White House, Washington, D.C
The main building of the White House contains the presidential family’s living quarters and several reception rooms, all adorned in styles of the 18th and 19th centuries. Some parts of the main building can be accessed by the public. The west terrace includes the press briefing room and the east terrace contains a movie theater. The presidential office, known as the Oval Office, is situated in the West Wing, along with the cabinet and press rooms. The East Wing includes other offices.
Layout and Amenities
Today, the group of buildings housing the presidency is called the White House Complex. It includes the central Executive Residence bordered by the East Wing and West Wing. The Chief Usher manages daily household operations.The White House has six (6) stories and 55,000 square feet of floor space, along with five (5) permanent chefs, a tennis court, a single-lane bowling alley, a movie theater (officially called the White House Family Theater), a jogging track, a swimming pool, and a putting green. It receives up to 30,000 visitors weekly.
The White House Layout
Executive Residence
The original house is in the center. Two porches, one to the east and one to the west, serve to connect the East and West Wings. The Executive Residence contains the president's dwelling, along with rooms for ceremonies and official events.
- The State Floor of the residence building includes the East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room, State Dining Room, Family Dining Room, Cross Hall, Entrance Hall, and Grand Staircase.
- The Ground Floor is made up of the Diplomatic Reception Room, Map Room, China Room, Vermeil Room, Library, the main kitchen, and other offices.
- The Second Floor family residence includes the Yellow Oval Room, East and West Sitting Halls, the White House Master Bedroom, President's Dining Room, the Treaty Room, Lincoln Bedroom, and Queens' Bedroom, along with two additional bedrooms, a smaller kitchen, and a private dressing room.
- The Third Floor includes the White House Solarium, Game Room, Linen Room, a Diet Kitchen, and another living room (formerly used as President George W. Bush's workout room).
Red Room
East Room
Blue Room
West Wing
The West Wing contains the president's office (the Oval Office) and offices of the senior staff, with room for about 50 employees. It also includes the Cabinet Room, where the president carries out business meetings and the Cabinet meets, as well as the White House Situation Room, James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, and Roosevelt Room.In 2007, renovations to the press briefing room added fiber optic cables and LCD screens for the display of charts and graphs. The renovation took 11 months and cost $8 million, out of which news outlets paid $2 million. In September 2010, a two-year project started on the West Wing, constructing a multi story underground structure.
Oval Office
East Wing
The East Wing, which includes extra office space, was added to the White House in 1942. Among its uses, the East Wing occasionally housed the offices and staff of the first lady and the White House Social Office. In 1977, Rosalynn Carter was the first to place her personal office in the East Wing and to officially call it the "Office of the First Lady".Constructed during World War II, the East Wing concealed the construction of an underground bunker to be used in crises. The bunker is now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC).
Grounds
The White House grounds cover just over 18 acres. During the mid-to-late 19th century, a series of ever-larger greenhouses were constructed on the west side of the house where the current West Wing is situated.The overall layout of the White House grounds today is based on the 1935 design by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. of the Olmsted Brothers firm, commissioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The premises include several gardens and lawns:
- North Lawn, planted with ornate carpet-style flowerbeds
- White House Rose Garden, bordering the West Colonnade
- Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, bordering the East Colonnade
The White House
What Makes the White House, Washington, D.C, One of the World’s Most Secure Buildings?
One of the most distinguishable buildings in the world, the White House in Washington, D.C. employs a number of sophisticated measures to protect the President of the U.S. and their administration.Although visitors can tour parts of the White House Complex, all bookings must be made in advance with at least 21 days’ notice to allow time for background checks. U.S. citizens must request access through their Congress members, although international visitors are recommended to contact their consulates.The White House Complex lies at the center of a highly controlled, 15-mile flight restricted zone neighboring Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Many surface-to-air missile launchers are also situated across the city, ready to intercept any aircraft that does not abide by directions from the U.S. Air Force.The building itself has a roof-mounted radar that meticulously monitors the area around the White House. The boundary of the White House is monitored by a range of infrared cameras capable of detecting the slightest temperature variation and alerting security to any possible threats.Although most of the White House defenses function hidden from public view, the fence surrounding the entire premises offers impressive protection. Standing 2.1 meters (7 feet) tall over crash-resistant concrete footings, the wrought iron fence is topped with a series of barbs to prevent creepers.In 2017, staff increased the height of the fence to 3.3 meters (10.8 feet) and fixed the fence with sensors to alert security employees when pressure is applied to the bars. Bullet-proof windows can resist numerous direct impacts from semi-automatic weapons.The PEOC and the Situation Room, positioned under the East and West Wings, can continue operation even in the event of a nuclear explosion.The White House Complex is sheltered by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Park Police. Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) protected airspace over Washington, D.C. during the 2005 presidential inauguration. The same NASAMS units continue defending the president and all airspace around the White House, which is strictly prohibited to aircraft.
Secure Your Building With Identiv
Identiv’s flexible physical access control system (PACS) and video intelligence solutions provide the highest security at the lowest cost possible. No matter where you are physically located, you can easily manage access control through our robust, feature-rich systems, hardware, and software. To learn more about our PACS solutions, contact us at +1 888.809.8888 or sales@identiv.com.
FAQs
As you'd expect, the home of the President of the United States is heavily guarded, and it remains one of the most secure buildings in the world, with features including an iron fence around the entire premises, bulletproof windows, a nuclear bunker, and a 15 mile radius no-fly zone over the area.
What is the most secure building in the world? ›
The Pentagon is the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), including all three military services: U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. It was constructed on an accelerated schedule during World War II.
Is one of the most famous building in the world is the White House? ›
in Washington, D.C. It is perhaps the most famous and easily recognizable house in the world, serving as both the home and workplace of the president and the headquarters of the president's principal staff members. The White House and its landscaped grounds occupy 18 acres (7.2 hectares).
What is the secret service on top of the White House? ›
What do they do? The people you saw on the roof of the White House are members of the Secret Service Countersniper Team, which is composed of specially trained Uniformed Division officers. Their mission is to prevent any long-range threat to a protectee.
Where is the most secure place in the world? ›
Read on to discover all you need to know about the securest locations in the world.
- Vatican Street Archive, Rome, Italy. ...
- Federal Reserve Bank, New York, USA. ...
- Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway. ...
- Demilitarised Zone, North Korea.
The White House, Washington D.C.
Staffed by 1,300 members of the United States Secret Service and with 147 bulletproof windows, the White House features the best home security measures that the world can offer– an entire SWAT team is also positioned on the roof any time the President enters or leaves the White House.
Who is No 1 building in the world? ›
1. Burj Khalifa. In January 2010, downtown Dubai opened the tallest building in the world – Burj Khalifa tower. Burj Khalifa is a truly striking mixed-use tall skyscraper with a massive 2,717 feet in height.
What is the most guarded bank in the world? ›
The maximum-security gold vault in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is located in the basem*nt of the Manhattan building. The Fed is the custodian of the valuable reserves and has the responsibility of guarding it for account holders, such as the U.S. government and central banks.
What is the most secure vault in the world? ›
What Makes the Granite Mountain Records Vault One of the World's Most Secure Buildings? For security reasons, there is no public access to the Granite Mountain Records Vault, helping to protect the records from tampering, foreign materials such as dirt and dust, and unwanted changes to temperature or humidity.
Why is the White House so famous? ›
The White House is where the President and First Family of the United States live and work — but it's also the People's House, where we hope all Americans feel a sense of inclusion and belonging.
The White House and its surrounding grounds serve as the home of the President of the United States and First Family. It's also a museum of American history—and a place where that history continues to unfold every day.
What is the White House called now? ›
Layout and amenities. The current group of buildings housing the presidency is known as the White House Complex. It includes the central Executive Residence flanked by the East Wing and West Wing.
How many bodyguards are at the White House? ›
| President's Bodyguard |
|---|
| Type | Household cavalry |
| Role | Ceremonial during peace; Armoured reconnaissance & parachute pathfinders during war. |
| Size | 222 (4 officers, 20 JCOs & 198 soldiers) |
| Part of | 50th Parachute Brigade |
13 more rowsThe Secret Service's current duty sidearm, the SIG-Sauer P229 double-action/single-action pistol chambered . 357 SIG, entered service in 1999. It is the issued handgun to all special agents as well as officers of the Uniformed Division.
What is underneath the White House? ›
The Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC, PEE-ock) is a bunker-like structure underneath the East Wing of the White House. It serves as a secure shelter and communications center for the president of the United States and others in case of an emergency.
What country is #1 in safety? ›
According to the GPI 2021 report, Iceland was ranked the safest country in the world for the 13th consecutive year, followed by New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, and Denmark. The GPI takes into account 23 indicators that are grouped under three domains: ongoing conflict, safety and security, and militarization.
What is the most heavily defended city in the world? ›
When completed, the city's defenses totaled 68 forts and 93 batteries connected by over 20 miles of rifle trenches, making Washington the most heavily fortified city in the world. Remains of these fortifications can be seen on National Park Service land at Fort Stevens, Fort Totten, Fort Marcy, and Fort DeRussy.
Who guards Fort Knox? ›
Fort Knox is protected by the U.S. Mint Police, one of the oldest federal law enforcement organizations. The officers go through 12 weeks of elementary training followed by an additional five weeks of field training.
Where is the safest room in the house? ›
"The safest place in a home is the interior part of a basem*nt," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. If you can clear out a spot under the stairs in your basem*nt, that is likely one of the safest places in your home.
Where is the zombie proof house? ›
The Safe House is located in Warsaw, Poland and was built by KWK Promes – Robert Konieczny.
Safest states in the U.S.
Safety's an important factor for homebuyers — particularly ones with families and children. So where in the U.S. is the safest to buy a house? According to a new analysis, it's Vermont.
Who owns the biggest building in the world? ›
| Burj Khalifa |
|---|
| Owner | Emaar Properties |
| Height |
| Architectural | 828 m (2,717 ft) |
| Tip | 829.8 m (2,722 ft) |
39 more rows1. Burj Khalifa. At an incredible height of 2,717 feet, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, is without a doubt the tallest recorded building in the world. Amazingly, it is twice the height of the Empire State Building, once the tallest building in the world in 1930, less than 100 years ago.
How much money is on earth? ›
If you're curious about the total value of notes and coins in circulation, the Bank for International Settlements estimated it to be $8,275,000,000,000, or $8.28 trillion U.S. dollars, across 20 major countries plus the euro area in 2021, its most recent estimate.
Which bank is safest in USA? ›
This is true whether the bank or credit union is national, regional or local. Asset-heavy, diversified and regulated banks like JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, PNC Bank and U.S. Bank are among the safest banks in the U.S. and should be considered if you are weighing your options.
Who owns the World Bank? ›
The organizations that make up the World Bank Group are owned by the governments of member nations, which have the ultimate decision-making power within the organizations on all matters, including policy, financial or membership issues.
What is the hardest safe to get into? ›
Biometric safes are the most secure type of safe. They are considered “high security” safes and demand a steep price. However, due to their quality, it is incredibly difficult to break into a biometric safe.
What is the hardest bank to break into? ›
Fort Knox is probably the most secure bank vault in the world. We can find the US Bullion Depository in Kentucky on the north of Elizabethtown and the south of Louisville.
Do bank vaults open from the inside? ›
Some vault doors can be opened from the inside. There is a release lever on the inside of a vault door. It's marked with a bright red label that says what it does and how to use it.
What are 3 amazing facts about the White House? ›
White House Facts. There are 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, and 6 levels to accommodate all the people who live in, work in, and visit the White House. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 7 staircases, and 3 elevators.
And while the house itself—that would be the White House—is a perk of being president, the stuff inside is paid for out of pocket, according to the Reeves Law Group.
Who is allowed to live in the White House? ›
By tradition, the President and the First Family live in the White House in Washington, D.C., also the location of the President's Oval Office and the offices of his or her senior staff.
Who owns the land the White House is on? ›
Answer and Explanation: The White House is owned by the federal government of the United States. It is the official residence of the president.
What are the 3 main parts of the White House? ›
There are three main parts of the white house: The West Wing, East Wing and the Residence.
How much money is the White House? ›
The White House is worth $397.9 million, according to US-based real-estate listings firm Zillow, who calculated the price in 2017.
What are some fun facts about the White House? ›
10 fascinating facts on the White House's anniversary
- Another city built its own version of the White House. ...
- George Washington never lived in the White House. ...
- Very little of the original White House remains. ...
- There was a second big fire at the White House. ...
- The suffragists picketed at the White House for two years.
White paint has nothing to do with covering the burning of the house by the British in 1814. The building was first made white with lime-based whitewash in 1798, when its walls were finished, simply as a means of protecting the porous stone from freezing.
What color was the White House originally? ›
It Wasn't Always White
The White House is made of gray-colored sandstone from a quarry in Aquia, Virginia. The north and south porticos are constructed with red Seneca sandstone from Maryland. The sandstone walls weren't painted white until the White House was reconstructed after the British fires.
How much do president bodyguards make? ›
How much does a President Bodyguard make? As of Jun 24, 2023, the average annual pay for a President Bodyguard in the United States is $178,659 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $85.89 an hour.
Do Marines guard the White House? ›
Two Marine Corps Sentries guard the entrance to the West Wing of the White House. The President and First Lady often host formal events at the White House for invited guests.
Former President George W. Bush and future former presidents will receive Secret Service protection for the rest of their lives. Children of former presidents up to the age of 16 are assured protection under the new law.
Can FBI carry guns? ›
Agents carry Bureau-issued or approved handguns and may be issued additional equipment as needed. Those in specialized areas like the Hostage Rescue Teams may also be issued weapons that fit their duties. Agents are allowed to carry personal weapons, provided they do not violate the policies regarding firearms.
What gun FBI carries? ›
FBI SWAT is known to use the M4 carbine, Heckler & Koch MP5/10, Remington 870, Remington 700, various Glock models (17 Gen4, 19M, 20), SIG Sauer P226, and Springfield Armory 1911 Professional Custom.
What handgun do most police carry? ›
By far the most popular police service pistol in the United States, the GLOCK 22 fires the potent 40 S&W cartridge and holds more rounds for its size and weight than most other full-sized handgun in its class.
Is there a secret passage in the White House? ›
The White House Historical Association has it that there is, in fact, only one secret passageway—and it's not exactly a secret: an emergency passage-cum-bomb shelter called the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, which lies underneath the White House.
What room does the president sleep in the White House? ›
The President's Bedroom is a second floor bedroom in the White House. The bedroom makes up the White House master suite along with the adjacent sitting room and the smaller dressing room, all located in the southwest corner.
In what state is the deepest nuclear bunker? ›
The Raven Rock Mountain Complex (RRMC), also known as Site R, is a U.S. military installation with an underground nuclear bunker near Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, at Raven Rock Mountain that has been called an "underground Pentagon".
What is the most secure military base in the world? ›
Fort Knox, Kentucky, is a 109,000-acre military base that encompasses the United States federal gold reserve and the Fort Knox Human Resource Center of Excellence. The resource hub is a complex that houses ~4,000 civilian and military personnel.
Is the White House bomb proof? ›
Bulletproof glass in the three south windows of the Oval Office and a "bomb-barrier," concrete poured along the West Wall of the Executive Office Building, were installed. Special outdoor lighting was designed by General Electric to dimly illuminate the grounds without casting a glare on the house itself.
What is the most secured palace in the world? ›
Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom The Buckingham Palace is the royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom and the most secured building in the world.
SOG is considered the most secretive special operations force within the United States, with fewer than 100 operators. The group generally recruits personnel from special mission units within the U.S. Special Operations community.
Is there a secret military base? ›
Harvey Point Defense Testing Activity
How It's Unique: Most known for the Osama Bin Laden house mockup built on site for training for the Navy SEALs, Harvey Point —the facility is tucked behind security fences and Spanish moss-laden cypress trees—has served as a CIA site for decades, cloaked in classified veils.
What is the secret base in Colorado? ›
Hidden in Colorado Springs is one of the most secure bases in the US – the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Some hope the secretive entrance would replicate the iconic 'stargate' allowing instant travel to other galaxies from the hit sci-fi series Stargate.
Is there a secret room in the White House? ›
The White House Historical Association has it that there is, in fact, only one secret passageway—and it's not exactly a secret: an emergency passage-cum-bomb shelter called the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, which lies underneath the White House.
Who protects the White House? ›
The Secret Service Uniformed Division is a security police similar to the U.S. Capitol Police or DHS Federal Protective Service and is in charge of protecting the physical White House grounds and foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C. area.
What is prohibited in the White House? ›
Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, or knives of any size.
Which is the No 1 palace in the world? ›
Comparison of world's largest palaces
| Name | Place |
|---|
| 1 | Hofburg Palace | Vienna |
| 2 | Louvre Palace | Paris |
| 3 | Istana Nurul Iman | Bandar Seri Begawan |
| 4 | Apostolic Palace | Vatican City |
47 more rowsTo date, the title for the most expensive house in the world is held by the Buckingham Palace in London. The larger-than-life property (which cannot be sold) is over 200 years old and is currently owned by King Charles III after the demise of the Queen of England, Elizabeth II.
Who owns the most expensive palace in the world? ›
Who has the most expensive house in the world? The most expensive house in the world and the world's biggest house is Buckingham Palace, owned by the King Charles III, in right of the British Crown with an estimated value of $4.9 billion.
