Vice President Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff will finally move into the Naval Observatory next week after awaiting repairs to the vice president’s traditional residence.
“The move was initially delayed to allow for repairs to the home that are more easily conducted with the home unoccupied,” Harris spokesperson Symone Sanders said in a statement. “The repairs included maintenance on the HVAC system, replacing the liners in the chimneys and refurbishing of some of the hardwood floors.”
Harris and Emhoff have been living at the Blair House for the past two months since being sworn in. The building, also known as “the president’s guest house,” is located across the street from the White House and Eisenhower Executive Office Building and is typically used to host visiting dignitaries.
The residence on the Naval Observatory’s grounds was built in 1893 and was designated as the home for the vice president by Congress in 1974. Crews began making repairs to the residence after former Vice President Mike Pence moved out on Inauguration Day.
Washington, D.C., police arrested a man last month for allegedly carrying a weapon and possessing unregistered ammunition near the Naval Observatory, though Harris was not there due to the ongoing construction.
Harris became the first woman of color to serve as vice president when she was sworn in earlier this year, and Emhoff is the first person to serve in the role of second gentleman.
The two are visiting their home in California for Easter this weekend.