Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium

The Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium is a Greek Revival building at Federal Triangle, featuring six Doric columns framing its entrance. Its seven-story structure rises with marble and limestone walls, housing a 750-seat hall that connects two wings of an adjoining federal building.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated this neoclassical building in 1935 as part of developing the Federal Triangle area. The venue later hosted the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949, becoming a site for important diplomatic moments.

The name honors Andrew W. Mellon, an influential art collector and former Treasury Secretary whose legacy remains present in the city. The sculpture above the entrance depicting Columbia represents the nation as a female figure with an eagle, a symbol visitors can still observe today.

The building is located near public transit options and sits within a larger complex that is easy to identify from the street. The columned entrance serves as a clear visual marker, making it straightforward to find when walking through the neighborhood.

The limestone structure served as the architectural centerpiece of Federal Triangle, establishing the design approach for surrounding government buildings. Its classical form became the reference point for the entire composition of the area.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1934

Architects: Arthur Brown, Jr.

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture

Floors above the ground: 7

Floors below the ground: 1

Made from material: steel, Indiana limestone, terracotta, marble, granite

Part of: Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site

Address: 1301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20240

GPS coordinates: 38.89261,-77.02970

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:30