Buckingham Palace, official town residence of the British monarch since 1837, located near Saint James's Park, London. Built by John Sheffield, 1st duke of Buckingham and Normandy, in 1703, the palace was purchased for the royal family in 1761 by George III, although St. James's Palace continued to be the official residence until the accession of Queen Victoria. The neoclassical structure was remodeled by John Nash in 1825. In 1856 a ballroom was added, and in 1913 a new east front was built. Buckingham Palace has about 600 rooms and 20 hectares (50 acres) of gardens. It is noted for its fine collection of paintings.