King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) commissioned Dusit Palace, and land was acquired with Privy Purse funds. Construction ran from 1897 to 1901. Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs, the king's brother, supervised it. The German architect C. Sandreczki was part of the team, and the article says all other members were European. The first building on the site was a single-story wooden structure used for occasional stays.
The gardens are separated by canals rather than walls. Vimanmek Mansion (1903) is the oldest residential building, and Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall followed in 1908. The precinct once exceeded 768,902 square meters (8,276,390 sq ft) and now covers over 64,749 (696,950 sq ft).
In 1932 absolute monarchy was abolished, and part of the palace passed to the government. Only a few museums and exhibitions are open to the public.
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