<P> The residence was designed by Irish - born architect James Hoban in the neoclassical style . Construction took place between 1792 and 1800 using Aquia Creek sandstone painted white . When Thomas Jefferson moved into the house in 1801, he (with architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe) added low colonnades on each wing that concealed stables and storage . In 1814, during the War of 1812, the mansion was set ablaze by the British Army in the Burning of Washington, destroying the interior and charring much of the exterior . Reconstruction began almost immediately, and President James Monroe moved into the partially reconstructed Executive Residence in October 1817 . Exterior construction continued with the addition of the semi-circular South portico in 1824 and the North portico in 1829 . </P> <P> Because of crowding within the executive mansion itself, President Theodore Roosevelt had all work offices relocated to the newly constructed West Wing in 1901 . Eight years later in 1909, President William Howard Taft expanded the West Wing and created the first Oval Office, which was eventually moved as the section was expanded . In the main mansion, the third - floor attic was converted to living quarters in 1927 by augmenting the existing hip roof with long shed dormers . A newly constructed East Wing was used as a reception area for social events; Jefferson's colonnades connected the new wings . East Wing alterations were completed in 1946, creating additional office space . By 1948, the residence's load - bearing exterior walls and internal wood beams were found to be close to failure . Under Harry S. Truman, the interior rooms were completely dismantled and a new internal load - bearing steel frame constructed inside the walls . Once this work was completed, the interior rooms were rebuilt . </P> <P> The modern - day White House complex includes the Executive Residence, West Wing, East Wing, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building--the former State Department, which now houses offices for the President's staff and the Vice President--and Blair House, a guest residence . The Executive Residence is made up of six stories--the Ground Floor, State Floor, Second Floor, and Third Floor, as well as a two - story basement . The property is a National Heritage Site owned by the National Park Service and is part of the President's Park . In 2007, it was ranked second on the American Institute of Architects list of "America's Favorite Architecture". </P> <P> Following his April 1789 inauguration, President George Washington occupied two executive mansions in New York City: the Samuel Osgood House at 3 Cherry Street (April 1789--February 1790), and the Alexander Macomb House at 39--41 Broadway (February--August 1790). In May 1790, New York began construction of Government House for his official residence, but he never occupied it . The national capital moved to Philadelphia in December 1790 . </P>

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