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This huge 662,598 square feet building was constructed in 1888 to house the State, War and Navy Departments. The Supervising Architect of the Treasury, Alfred B. Mullett, designed the behemoth out of granite, slate and cast iron. All of the interior design, mostly done by Richard Von Ezdorf, uses plaster and cast iron - no wood was used for fire safety reasons.
Ever since its erection the building has been criticized for its ostentatious style. Many plans were floated o convert the building’s facade to a neo-classical design, matching the Treasury Department Building flanking the White House to the east. The Depression put those plans on hold; French Second Empire remained the style of the building.
As the Navy, War and State Departments slowly left the building, the White House began taking over office space. By 1949, the building had become the Executive Office Building, housing the offices of the Vice President, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the National Security Council. After facing demolition, the building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1969, and all talk of changing its exterior ended.
The interior of the building can be seen, but it’s a difficult process. The building’s Preservation Office (202.395.5895) must be called between 9am and Noon on Tuesday or Wednesday for reservations. Personal information, such as date of birth, citizenship status, and social security number, must be provided for a background check. If all goes well, you’ll be scheduled to tour the building on a Saturday morning.
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