 "PM Modi stays at Blair House in Washington: Inside the ‘world’s most exclusive hotel’")
After a jam-packed schedule in France, PM Modi has made his way to Washington, DC where he is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump and discuss everything from trade to immigration. Modi will be the fourth world leader to meet Trump in the White House — earlier the US president met with Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, followed by Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba and Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Tuesday.
During his short visit to the US — it is scheduled to be only 36 hours long — PM Modi is staying opposite the White House at Blair House, which serves as the US president’s guest house.
Before the Prime Minister arrived, the Indian flag was hoisted at the Blair House. On his arrival, the PM was welcome by the Indian diaspora.
#WATCH | Washington, DC: Indian diaspora braves the harsh winters and gathers outside Blair House to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi
— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2025
A member of the Indian diaspora says, " ...We have people on crutches, and they have braved this great winter and snow...we are excited to… pic.twitter.com/Uie1b9p3lk
Notably, Blair House is where Queen Elizabeth II has stayed as well as other world leaders such as former British PM Winston Churchill and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It’s also where the US president-elect stays in the days leading up to his inauguration.
History of Blair House
Today, Blair House, which sits right across the street from the White House, at 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue, is known as the president’s guest house. But that wasn’t always the case.
This elegant Federal-style townhouse, which was constructed in 1824, was originally built for Dr Joseph Lovell, the first Surgeon General of the United States. In 1837, Francis Preston Blair, a circuit court clerk from Frankfort whose editorials had caught Andrew Jackson’s attention, purchased it for $6,500 (Rs 5.64 lakh). Blair’s decision to buy the house right across from the White House came after Jackson invited him to write for the Globe and the Congressional Globe.
His position at The Globe earned Blair political power — he was one of the most influential members of President Jackson’s informal group of advisors, the ‘Kitchen Cabinet’.
Blair House becomes President’s Guest House
Blair House remained in his family for the next 100 years until 1942 when the US government purchased it to serve as a home for official guests of the president.
At the time, World War II had broken out and diplomacy was growing rapidly. It is reported that it was British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s frequent trips to Washington that helped convince US President Franklin Roosevelt of the need for official diplomatic housing.
One such instance occurred in December 1941 when Churchill had visited the US and was staying at the White House — as tradition dictated. The British PM was caught by none other than Eleanor Roosevelt wandering the White House corridors in his nightgown one night with his trademark cigar in hand.
Following this incident, Roosevelt recommended the purchase of Blair House with all its historic furnishings, to serve as the official president’s guesthouse, and Congress approved it.
Inside Blair House
Today, Blair House, also known as Uncle Sam’s guesthouse, serves as the B&B of choice for major leaders from around the world.
Spread across 70,000 square feet, Blair House is a testament to luxury. Interestingly, it is not just one house, but a complex of four interconnected townhouses having 119 rooms, including 14 guest bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, three formal dining rooms, and a fully-equipped beauty salon.
With a staff of 16 full-time employees, Blair House is as luxurious as a five-star hotel — with some saying that it goes even beyond that. For instance, Golda Meir, the former Israeli prime minister, once requested a last-minute pedicure while at Blair House. Unsurprisingly, the staff pulled it off by soaking her feet in a large stainless-steel mixing bowl from the kitchen.
Even the décor at Blair House is impeccable and reflective of American craftsmanship. The walls display a wide swath of art, from a stately 1864 portrait of Abraham Lincoln by Edward Dalton Marchant to a recent acquisition: “Bovines on the Brazos II,” painted and donated by former President George W Bush.
And as with old homes, Blair House has also undergone massive renovations and repairs to keep up with its international guest list. For instance, it was shut down in 1988 for mechanical and structural renovations. And in 2012, it was again in need of repairs. For this, Washington designer Thomas Pheasant was brought on. During his renovations, he redid the principal suite which is reserved for top VIPs. He also replaced the 1980s blue-and-raspberry chintz traditional bedspread in the main bedroom with a white cotton pique coverlet with blue “BH” monograms and bed hangings in pale blue and gold. Also, he supersized the mattress in the main bedroom, ensuring a comfortable sleep.
As Capricia Marshall, chief of protocol from 2009 to 2013, told the Washington Post, Blair House is one of our great American treasures. The rooms and collections on display tell our American story.”
Making memories at Blair House
Through the years, royalty, world leaders and more have walked through the doors of Blair House. For this reason, Blair House has earned its nickname as “the world’s most exclusive hotel”.
Over the years, several important events have also taken place at Blair House, making it an integral part of American history. For instance, when Harry S Truman became president, the White House was badly in need of renovation. Hence, he moved to Blair House. It was here that a pair of Puerto Rican nationalists tried to assassinate Truman on November 1, 1950. According to the Blair House Foundation’s website, the men attempted to shoot their way into the house from the front door. Truman survived the assassination attempt as White House police officers and Secret Service agents intervened.
Another memorable incident coming out from Blair House dates back to September 1994. Then Russian President Boris Yeltsin was on his first visit to the United States to meet US President Bill Gates.
The Russian president was staying at Blair House and one night, Secret Service agents discovered Yeltsin alone on Pennsylvania Avenue, dead drunk, clad in his underwear, yelling for a taxi. Speaking on the incident much later, Clinton revealed that the Russian president wanted a taxi to go out for pizza. When asked how the incident ended, Clinton said, “Well, he got his pizza.”
And Blair House has not only housed world leaders but also their pets on occasion. For instance, Lulu, the famous Chihuahua of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, once resided at Blair House. As historian William Seale wrote in his book, Blair House: The President’s Guest House, “Lulu was considered royalty herself and thus could not be touched by anyone but the emperor.”
With inputs from agencies
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