The White House is undoubtedly the most recognisable structure in Washington DC. Home to the President of the United States since its completion in 1800, the White House is the only presidential residence in the world to be open to the public and has become a symbol not only of the presidency and the govenment, but also of the Unites States as a whole. The White House is located on a site near the Mall chosen in 1790 by president George Washington and Pierre l'Enfant, the architect who created the master plan for the new capital. Most people seem to think the building was first painted white after it was rebuilt in 1817, but already in 1798 it was made white by a protective lime-based whitewash. It wasn't named White House from the beginning though: it was originally named the 'President's Palace', 'President's House' or 'Executive Mansion'. It was soon nicknamed 'White House' and in 1901 president Theodore Roosevelt made it the official name.