A moving truck was pictured outside the president’s guest house Thursday as Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to move into her official residence following reports of her being ‘frustrated’ with the slow renovation process.
Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff have been living in Blair House across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House since inauguration on January 20.
They will finally move into the Vice President’s Residence at the Naval Observatory next week, a spokesperson for Harris said Thursday.
‘The Vice President and Second Gentleman will move in to the Vice President’s residence at the Naval Observatory residence next week,’ Harris’ spokesperson Symone Sanders tweeted. ‘The move was initially delayed to allow for repairs to the home that are more easily conducted with the home unoccupied.’
Upon becoming vice president, Harris and Emhoff moved into the president’s luxurious guest house as renovations and updates were completed on the mansion at One Observatory Circle in northwest Washington, D.C.
Reports emerged over the weekend that Harris was becoming ‘frustrated’ with living out of suitcases and not yet moving into her official residence.
A moving truck was pictured outside Blair House Thursday, where Vice President Kamala Harris and first gentleman Doug Emhoff live there temporarily as the official residence undergoes renovations
Harris and her husband will move next week after reports emerged she was becoming ‘frustrated’ living out of suitcases in the guest house for more than two months
The Vice President’s Residence at the Naval Observatory in North West Washington, D.C. is undergoing renovations that are more easily conducted when vacant, like updating the HVAC system and all seven working chimneys
Repairs and maintenance were more easily conducted with a vacant home, included on the HVAC system, replacing the liners in all seven working chimneys and refurbishing of some of the hardwood floors.
Harris may have potentially further pushed out the timeline by requesting work be done on the kitchen. The vice president admittedly loves to cook.
‘She is getting frustrated,’ an administration official told CNN on Saturday of the continuing construction, noting that every day the vice president’s desire to move into her designated house grows more intense.
The vice president’s official residence is a stately mansion situated two-and-a-half miles from the White House at the Naval Observatory.
Usually in the change over of residents, there are a few weeks where Naval staff who operate the home can refresh and prepare it for the incoming vice president.
The second couple, however, has been unable to move into their private residence for more than two months after inauguration as renovations and construction continues.
The official residence for the vice president, built in 1893, receives regular updates and renovations.
An administration official said the delay in construction has left Harris increasingly testy.
Repairs and maintenance were more easily conducted with a vacant home, included on the HVAC system, replacing the liners in all seven working chimneys and refurbishing of some of the hardwood floors
The Naval Observatory in DC has sprawling gardens and a swimming pool. It was first built in the 19th century and has been designated a National Historic Landmark
Harris and Emhoff have been living temporarily at the president’s guest house
The Blair House is known for its luxury and museum-quality piece of American history
There are more than 100 rooms, which is used to house official guests of the president, like visiting foreign dignitaries
Harris has a more informal style than that of Blair House. The guest room pictured is known as Mrs. Truman’s Bedroom
Sources claim Harris and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff are still living out of suitcases
Recently, Harris has been spotted checking out the 9,000 square-foot mansion – even stopping by for an hour-long visit three weeks ago, according to CNN.
Harris knew at the time of inauguration that she wouldn’t immediately be moving into her residence since repairs were required that are easier conducted with an unoccupied home.
While Blair House is comfortable and luxurious, Harris has a tendency to prefer more informal, modern and sleek accommodations. In January, Harris moved out of her minimalist condo in D.C. to Blair House.
The more than 100 rooms of Blair House include a gym, private hair salon and thousands of antiques and museum-quality pieces.
The Blair House has been called ‘the world’s most exclusive hotel’ as it primarily is used as a guest house for visiting foreign leaders, dignitaries and other guests of the president.
Harris moved from her sleek, minimalist D.C. condo to Blair House upon inauguration
Her condo was light and airy and modern, cohesive with her more informal style – unlike the formal and antique nature of Blair House
Biden spoke fondly of his time living at One Observatory Circle, particularly lauding the heated pool, which was installed by former Vice President Dan Quayle.
‘You’re on 80 acres, overlooking the rest of the city,’ Biden said. ‘You can walk out, and there’s a swimming pool.’
‘You can ride a bicycle around and never leave the property, and work out – but the White House is very different,’ he lauded.
The vice president’s residence (VPR) is situated on 13 acres of gated land, not 80.
The entire Naval Observatory compound, however, is 72 acres, which includes several buildings and offices.