The White House was built between 1792 and 1800, taking 8 years to complete. It was designed by Irish architect James Hoban, who won a contest to design the presidential residence for the new U.S. capital in Washington D.C. The White House cost $232,371.83 to build and was constructed out of white painted Aquia sandstone. It is located where it is because that was the plan for the city designed by Pierre L'Enfant.