University of Notre Dame's Main Administration Building (known as the Main Building or the "Golden Dome") houses various administrative offices, including the office of the President. Atop of the building stands the Golden Dome, the most recognizable landmark of the university. Three buildings were built at the site; the first was built in 1843 and replaced with a larger one in 1865, which burned down in 1879, after which the third and current building was erected. The building hosts the administrative offices of the university, as well as classrooms, art collections, and exhibition spaces. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. History First main building Edward Sorin, founder of the University of Notre Dame, started construction of the first main building August 28, 1843. The architect was Mr. Marsile of Vincennes Indiana who arrived on campus on the 24th. The structure, which was complete by the fall of 1844, was a brick building eighty feet long by thirty-six feet wide, 4 1/2-story high with a small cupola (but not yet a dome) with a bell in it, in French style. The ground floor had a refectory, kitchen, recreation room, and washing rooms; the second floor had classrooms, study halls, art gallery, and Sorin's office; the third floor had student dormitories, residences for priests and brothers; the fourth floor had dormitories, a museum, and an armory. Two lateral wings (which gave the building the shape of an H) were opened in 1853. It also briefly hosted the office of the infirmarian, Sister Mar of Providence, before a standalone infirmary was built east of the building in 1845. Second Main Building Construction of the second Main Building, which replaced the first, began in 1864 and was completed in 1865 with a cost of $35,500 . The building's construction incorporated a major part of the previous building; its roof was removed and several floors were added along with a large mansard roof, and the facade and porch were altered. It was 160 feet long, 80 feet wide, and 90 feet high; it was six stories high and had a dome at the top. The dome was made of wood and covered in tin, and it was surmounted by a twelve feet tall, 1800 pounds wooden statue of Mary sculpted by Anthony Buscher of Chicago. Both the dome and the statue were painted white. The octagonal oratory under the dome