White Hall, Port of Spain

White Hall, one of the iconic "Magnificent Seven" mansions on Maraval Road, Port of Spain, stands as a testament to the island's rich history and architectural splendor. Built in 1904 by Joseph Leon Agostini, a prominent cocoa planter during the era when "cocoa was king," White Hall embodies a unique blend of Moorish Mediterranean architectural styles with a touch of Corsican influence, reflecting the Agostini family's origins.

Originally named Rosenweg, this grand residence took three years to construct, although its completion coincided with a period of financial instability due to the collapse of the cocoa industry. The building was eventually foreclosed upon by mortgagee William Gordon Grant following Agostini’s untimely death in 1906. Some accounts suggest that the Agostini family resided briefly at the mansion, while others claim they never occupied it, unable to finish construction. Legend has it that Agostini’s spirit still haunts the property, seen lamenting his loss on the terrace.

In 1907, White Hall was sold to Robert Henderson, an American businessman from Venezuela, who renamed the property after the coral stone from which it was built. Henderson’s family introduced refined furnishings to complement the mansion's dignified exterior. Over time, White Hall became a cornerstone of Port of Spain’s cultural and administrative history. In 1954, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago purchased the property, marking a new chapter in its history.

From 1957, White Hall played a pivotal role as the seat of the Pre-Federal Interim Government before becoming the Office of the Prime Minister in 1963. It was famously occupied by The Honorable Dr. Eric Williams, the nation’s first Prime Minister after independence. The mansion was restored in 2000 and remained the official Prime Minister’s Office until 2009.

Today, White Hall is celebrated not only for its architectural beauty but also for its storied past, reflecting Trinidad and Tobago's cultural and political evolution.