Augustine Washington built the original house around 1734 as a one-story house with a garret. In the 1750s, with 1758 given elsewhere, it was raised to two and a half stories. A second expansion began in 1774 with a two-story south wing, followed by two single-story wings in 1775 and a large two-story north room in 1776. Quadrant colonnades linking the wings to the main block were built in 1778.
The article describes the house as built of wood in a loose Palladian style with a Carolean-influenced cupola. The architect is unknown: Augustine Washington, John Ariss and Richard Blackburn are each named, though most architectural historians credit George Washington. The octagonal cupola is topped by a gilded dove of peace.
The mansion covers 11,028 square feet (1,025 m²) with 21 rooms after the final expansion. The estate covered 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) in Washington's lifetime and covers 500 acres (200 ha) today.
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