Inside the VP Residence: JD Vance & Usha Vance's Home

Inside Number One Observatory Circle: The Vice President's Official Residence

When Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance moved into their new official home in January 2025, they stepped into one of the most storied and exclusive addresses in all of Washington, D.C. Known formally as Number One Observatory Circle, the vice president's official residence is a place where American history, political tradition, personal expression, and even the occasional ghost story all come together under one roof. With three children already in tow and a fourth on the way, the Vance family now calls this remarkable 9,150-square-foot mansion home — and it has quite a story to tell.

Where Is the Vice President's Official Residence?

Number One Observatory Circle sits on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. The Naval Observatory, one of the oldest scientific agencies in the country, serves as the official source of time for the United States and hosts some of the nation's most important astronomical research. Nestled within this secure, tree-lined campus, the vice president's residence enjoys a level of privacy and natural beauty rarely found so close to the heart of the nation's capital.

The property's location on federal grounds also means it benefits from significant security infrastructure, making it one of the most protected private residences in the country alongside the White House itself. For a family like the Vances, with young children and a high public profile, that sense of security and seclusion is undoubtedly a welcome feature of the address.

A Brief History of the Residence

The house at Number One Observatory Circle was built in 1893, originally designed as the home of the superintendent of the Naval Observatory. For decades it served various governmental purposes before Congress officially designated it as the vice president's residence in 1974. Interestingly, the first vice president to actually live there was Walter Mondale, who moved in during 1977 under the Carter administration. Before that designation, vice presidents had no official government-provided home and were responsible for securing their own accommodations in Washington.

Since Mondale's tenure, every vice president has left their mark on the property in some way, adding personal touches, renovating rooms, and expanding amenities to suit the needs of their families and the demands of their office. This ongoing tradition of customization has turned the residence into a living record of the men and women who have held the second-highest office in the land.

Features and Amenities: A Home Built for Vice Presidents

At 9,150 square feet, the residence is a substantial historic home by any measure. Over the years, various vice presidents have added amenities that reflect both their personal tastes and the practical demands of hosting official functions. The result is a home that blends formal governmental grandeur with genuine livability.

Swimming Pool: A swimming pool was added to the property at some point during its history as the vice presidential residence, giving the occupying family a private place to relax and exercise without leaving the secure grounds of the Naval Observatory campus.
Jogging Track: Reflecting the increasingly health-conscious lifestyle of modern American political life, a dedicated jogging track was also added to the property grounds, allowing the vice president and family members to maintain fitness routines in privacy.
Chicken Coop: One of the most talked-about recent additions to the property is a large chicken coop, designed to complement the mansion's existing architectural style. This charming, practical addition reflects a broader trend of homesteading and farm-to-table sensibilities that have found their way even into the most elite addresses in the country.

Beyond these headline features, the interior of the residence is furnished and decorated with a combination of historically significant pieces and personal contributions made by each occupying family. The formal rooms are used for official entertaining, while the private quarters offer the kind of family living space any household with young children would need.

The Vance Family at Number One Observatory Circle

JD Vance, who was sworn in as the 50th Vice President of the United States in January 2025, moved into the residence alongside his wife Usha Vance and their three children. The family is also expecting a fourth child, a boy, due in July 2025, meaning the already lively household will be growing even larger in the months ahead. For the Vances, the residence represents not just an official perk of the vice presidency but a genuine family home where children will grow up and memories will be made.

Usha Vance, a Yale Law School graduate and former appellate law clerk, brings her own accomplished background to her role as second lady, and the couple's family-centered values are expected to shape how they inhabit and personalize the historic space during their time in office.

Ghost Stories and Presidential Legends

No historic residence of this age and significance would be complete without its share of supernatural lore, and Number One Observatory Circle is no exception. Perhaps the most famous ghost story associated with the property comes from the family of former Vice President Walter Mondale. His daughter reportedly claimed to have seen a ghost in her bedroom during the family's time living at the residence, adding an eerie dimension to the mansion's otherwise distinguished reputation.

Whether one believes in ghosts or not, stories like these are part of what makes historic homes so compelling. They layer folklore over fact, giving a building a personality that goes beyond architecture and square footage.

A Symbol of the American Vice Presidency

Number One Observatory Circle is far more than just a house. It is a symbol of the American vice presidency — an office that has evolved enormously in prestige, responsibility, and visibility over the past century. From its origins as the superintendent's quarters on a scientific campus to its current status as one of the most recognizable addresses in American political life, the residence reflects the growing importance of the vice president's role in the federal government.

For JD and Usha Vance, moving into this landmark property marks the beginning of a new chapter — both for their family and for the continuing story of a home that has sheltered some of the most powerful figures in modern American history. As they settle in, raise their children, and tend to the business of the second-highest office in the land, they add their own chapter to a story that began long before they arrived and will continue long after they leave.