[1] Its first resident during Portuguese rule was Artur Tamagnini de Sousa Barbosa (巴波沙).

Built in 1846 as a private home by Macanese architect Thomaz de Aquino,[2] it was acquired by the Macau Government in 1926 and finally became the official residence replacing the Macau Government Headquarters, which then served as the Governor's office until 1999.

It is guarded by Macau's Security Forces at the main gate on Estrada de Santa Sancha.

A covered walkway offers a view of Sai Van Lake and the tennis courts below belonging to Clube Militar and the Macau Foundation.

The home is located in a residential part of St. Lawrence Parish and neighbours are the affluent members of Macau.