12 Downing Street

Number 12 Downing Street stands out from its famous neighbors because it is a red-brick building that was never painted the signature black seen on the rest of the terrace. This distinct appearance is a legacy of the late nineteenth century, when a fire severely damaged the original structure and left it as little more than a single-story stump. The building you see today is largely a product of major twentieth-century reconstruction, which aimed to restore the Georgian uniformity of the street while expanding internal office space. Although it is officially designated as the residence of the government chief whip, its practical use has shifted over time to accommodate the press teams and strategic communications units that support the modern machinery of the British government.