Butler Building, Government office building in Washington, D.C., United States.
The Butler Building is a government office building in Washington, D.C., situated near the US Capitol, with a facade made of Mount Airy granite combined with bronze and glass elements. It originally contained three separate units, including a fireproof storage area and two residential spaces that were later converted into offices.
The building was constructed in 1874 and became the headquarters of the US Marine Hospital Service and later the Public Health Service starting in 1891. It held that role until 1929, during which time its interior was progressively adapted from residential to administrative use.
President Chester A. Arthur lived here for a time while the White House was being renovated, staying in a unit rented by Senator John P. Jones. This makes the building one of the few private addresses in the city to have served as a temporary presidential residence.
The Butler Building sits close to the US Capitol, making it easy to reach on foot from the main sights of the city center. Since it is a government building, interior access may be limited, so the exterior facade is the most accessible part for a visit.
The building's foundations go down about 30 feet (9 meters) below street level and are built with granite from Massachusetts. This depth is unusual for a city building of this size and is an engineering detail that most visitors walking past would never suspect.
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