Eisenhower Executive Office Building

Location: Washington, D.C.

Facade of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building

History of the State, War, and Navy Building

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Begining in 1888, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building was once the headquarters for the Departments of State, War, and Navy. Over time, the expansion of each of these departments led to insufficient space and slowly the former departments moved from the building. It is located directly west of the White House and in correspondence with this position it currently houses various offices for the executive branch of the United States government.

The Destination: Eisenhower Executive Office Building

The office of the Vice President is located in the building as well as the National Security Council. With 566 rooms and almost ten acres of floor space, the building was once the largest office building in the world. The architecture of the building is French in nature and clashes with the surrounding neoclassical buildings of Washington D.C. Because of this out of place apprearance, Mark Twain called the building "the ugliest building in America." However, the building has received US National Historic Landmark status.

Travel Recommendations

Although tourists cannot enter the building as it would be a security risk, you can marvel at the vast building from outside. Being in the French Second Empire style, the design of the massive ediface is unparelleled in the Washington, DC area. The edifice of the building features seventy columns and the hallways inside total over two miles long.

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1650 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20502