The imposing structure before you is the Old Post Office. Its Romanesque Revival architecture is striking. It once housed the District of Columbia’s main post office.
Completed in 1899 the Old Post Office was a marvel. Its clock tower soared 315 feet. This made it the third tallest structure in Washington. Only the Washington Monument and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception were taller. The building boasted the largest uninterrupted enclosed space in the city. It was also the city’s first building with a steel frame and integrated electrical wiring.
The Old Post Office wasn’t without its issues. The Washington Star reported leaks and shoddy construction. Even the planned file room on the ninth floor couldn’t handle the weight. The building’s advanced features quickly became outdated. The expected economic revitalization of the Murder Bay neighborhood never happened.
In 1914 the main post office moved. The building became office space for various government agencies. It almost faced demolition during the construction of the Federal Triangle. The Great Depression and public outcry saved it. The building became iconic. The United States Information Agency even used it in propaganda films.
Major renovations occurred in 1976 and 1983. A food court retail space and a skylight were added. The building was renamed the Old Post Office Pavilion. In 1991 a glass-walled addition was built on a former parking lot.
In 2013 the U S General Services Administration leased the building. Donald Trump’s DJT Holdings LLC turned it into a luxury hotel. The Trump International Hotel Washington D C opened in 2016 and closed in 2022. It reopened as the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC.
The Old Post Office’s clock tower houses the Bells of Congress. These bells are replicas of those in Westminster Abbey. They were a gift from the Ditchley Foundation in 1976. The bells were installed in 1983. The Washington Ringing Society rings them regularly.
The Old Post Office stands as a testament to its enduring legacy. It’s a building that has seen many changes. Its history is a reflection of Washington D C itself. Its survival is a tribute to preservationists. It continues to stand tall on Pennsylvania Avenue.