Federal Trade Commission Building

The Federal Trade Commission Building is a nine-story government office structure in Washington, D.C., featuring a triangular layout with a semicircular portico at the Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue intersection. Built from granite and limestone, it houses federal offices enforcing regulations against unfair competition and deceptive trade practices.

The building was completed in 1938 as the final major structure added to the Federal Triangle complex. It marked the end of an era of New Deal federal construction projects in the capital.

The exterior displays sculptural works and bas-reliefs depicting commerce and regulatory oversight. These artworks reflect how the building represents economic regulation as a civic responsibility.

The building is located on Pennsylvania Avenue in the center of the city and is accessible by public transportation. Since it remains an active federal office, only certain areas are open to visitors and it is best to check current access policies in advance.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid the cornerstone using the same silver trowel that George Washington used for the Capitol construction. This symbolic connection links the building directly to the nation's founding era.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1937

Architects: Edward H. Bennett

Architectural style: neoclassicism

Floors above the ground: 9

Made from material: granite, limestone

Part of: Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site

Address: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580

Website: https://ftc.gov/news-events/locations/ftc-headquarters-600-pennsylvania-ave-nw

GPS coordinates: 38.89239,-77.01989

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:26