Harris moves into official residence after delay

Vice President Harris moved into her official residence at the Naval Observatory Tuesday evening after an initial delay due to repairs.

“What a historic moment. The first time in our nation’s history, a daughter of immigrants, Kamala Devi Harris takes Marine 2 for the first time to her new home, the Vice President’s Residence,” Opal Vadhan, an aide to Harris, tweeted after the vice president returned from a trip to Chicago. 

What a historic moment.

The first time in our nation’s history, a daughter of immigrants, Kamala Devi Harris takes Marine 2 for the first time to her new home, the Vice President’s Residence. pic.twitter.com/QX8naV3mbs

— Opal Vadhan (@OpalVadhan46) April 6, 2021

Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff had previously been living at the Blair House for the past two months since being sworn in. The building is located across the street from the White House and Eisenhower Executive Office Building and has historically been used to house visiting dignitaries.

The residence at Number One Observatory Circle had been closed due to repairs, including maintenance on the HVAC system, replacement of the chimney liners and renovations of some of the floors.

The Victorian home at the Naval Observatory was built in 1893 but was not designated as the vice president’s residence until 1974.

Unlike the White House, the residence provides a layer of privacy, with its separate location from many federal buildings and obscured view from the street. 

The Navy is believed to have provided funding for much of the renovations, while the Vice President’s Residence Foundation can provide for more visual changes like new artwork.