Robert C. Weaver Federal Building

The Robert C. Weaver Federal Building is an office building in Southwest Washington with a distinctive X-shaped design that guides light into its ten stories. The four curving arms of the structure create an open interior layout that differs sharply from conventional office designs.

The building opened in 1968 as the headquarters for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. President Lyndon B. Johnson attended the dedication ceremony, marking a significant moment in government architecture.

The building is named after Robert C. Weaver, the first African American cabinet member, reflecting a shift in American government representation. Its bold concrete form became a symbol of architectural ambition during the mid-twentieth century.

The building is situated near the Capitol and is accessible by public transportation. Visitors should know this is an active government workplace with restricted public access.

The building was completed under budget at approximately 26 million dollars, three million less than the initial congressional appropriation. This financial achievement was notable for a large federal project of its era.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: September 9, 1968

Architects: Marcel Breuer

Official opening: September 9, 1968

Architectural style: brutalist architecture, expressionist architecture

Floors above the ground: 10

Made from material: concrete, precast concrete

Address: 451 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20410

Website: https://hud.gov/about/hqbuilding

GPS coordinates: 38.88361,-77.02278

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:56