Monday Market Update: The White House As A Home

Hello Readers! February is moving fast, and President’s Day is here! For many markets and businesses, the day is a holiday from work and for many families it kicks off a ‘ski week’ break. But this third Monday of the month is more than just another day – it commemorates the birthday of our first US President George Washington. Many publications call this the most patriotic day next to the 4^th of July, and the honor is now widely used to recognize all of our nation’s presidents and not just the first one. But since we are a real estate blog, we are going to focus on the wonder that our leaders call home – the White House.

Did you know that George Washington never lived in the White House? He selected the architect and approved plans from nine contenders in a national competition. John Adams was the first President to occupy the White House in 1800.

SIZE

The current size of the White House is over 55,000 square feet on six levels set amidst 18 acres of land. The interior is comprised of the Executive Residence, East Wing, West Wing, and Oval Office totaling 132 rooms, including 16 family and guest rooms and 35 bathrooms.

STYLE

Winning architect James Hoban was selected for his Palladian neoclassical design with elements inspired by a Federal Hall in New York City and a James Gibb structure featured in the 1728 ‘Book of Architecture’.

REBUILDS & RENOVATIONS

The White House was burned down by the British during the War of 1812 and was rebuilt in 1817 by Hoban. He was also retained for additions that were completed from 1824-1830, namely the South Portico and North Portico. While every president and first lady are known to ‘leave their mark’ in some way via the addition of art, technology, pools, putting greens, the other major structural renovations were completed in 1902 and 1952.

COST
The cost to build the White House was $232,372 (construction started in 1792). In 2017, Zillow calculated the value to be $397.9 million.

OOOPS

Did you know the White House was nearly condemned in 1948?! Truman was forced to live in the Blair House when experts concluded the aging building was no longer structurally sound after the repair budget had been ignored during the FDR administration. In 1948 engineers deemed the building unsafe for occupancy and Truman spearheaded the extensive renovation which followed, with completion in 1952.

BY THE NUMBERS

The White House has 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators.

NON-HUMAN RESIDENTS

While you probably know that many presidents have welcomed dogs and cats into the historic residence, the White House has been home to many other exotic and farm animals as well. John F. Kennedy brought birds, hamsters, rabbits and horses onto the property. Thomas Jefferson kept two bear cubs there, Martin Van Buren was gifted two tiger cubs there (later transferred to a zoo), William Henry Harrison brought a billy goat and cow to the premises, James Buchanan had a pair of bald eagles and Grover Cleveland’s animal assortment included puppies, ponies, goldfish and chickens!

Did you learn something new about the home of our presidents today? Have you ever toured the White House? What changes would you make if you lived there? As we consider the fun and fabulous parts of this historic building, may we also honor that many of our nation’s biggest decisions and hardest changes have occurred here. A home is not just the walls on the outside, but the events and celebrations that happen on the inside. The White House is no exception to the rule.

Happy President's Day!

Bobbi

Resources Used: USA Today, WhiteHouseHistory.org, Architectural Digest, Readers Digest 

Bobbi Decker
DRE#00607999

Broker Associate, Bobbi Decker & Associates
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www.bobbidecker.com
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Bobbi Decker & Associates fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. For more information, please visit: http://portal.hud.gov/