Bird's Eye View of DC

Take in beautiful views of DC architecture from the 270 foot-high observation deck in the Old Post Office Tower. It is located in the historic Old Post Office Pavilion, built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style and completed in 1899. 

The building sits at the intersection of 12^th St. & Pennsylvania Ave. NW, a neighborhood which used to be known as “Murder Bay,” one of the most notorious slums in DC. Congress hoped to revitalize this neighborhood by building the Post Office there.  However, this didn’t happen and in the 1960’s the building was almost torn down. 

Thanks goes to Nancy Hanks, chairperson of the National Endowment of the Arts at the time, and other concerned citizens involved in the "Don't Tear It Down" effort for helping to save the building.  Hanks testified before Congress that "Old buildings are like old friends…they reassure us in times of constant change."  

The dilapidated building was renovated and reopened to the public in 1984.  The building is home to offices and a food court.  When you get there, just ask the security guard where you can take the elevator up to the tower.  The entrance can be a bit difficult to find.

Enjoy the ride up the glass elevator looking down at the food court.  When you arrive, you can start the tour by checking out photos and learning about the history of the building.  You can also take a look at the Bells of Congress, which were a present from England for the Nation’s Bicentennial in 1976.

When you get to the observation deck, take your time and walk all the way around. Depending on the weather you will be able to see all the way to Virginia and Maryland. There are descriptions in the tower that show key landmarks that you can see from where you are standing.  This is a great way to orient and familiarize yourself with how DC is laid out.  

About the Old Post Office Pavilion & Tower

Address: 12th St. & Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Telephone: 202.606.8691 (Tower), 202.289.4224 (Pavilion)
Public transportation: Federal Triangle Metro or 30 buses
Admission: Free
Summer: Begins 1st weekend in June through Labor Day, Mon.-Fri. 9:00 am-7:45 pm
Sat., Sun. and Holidays 10 am-5:45 pm
Winter Labor Day through Memorial Day: Mon.- Fri. 9:00 am-4:45 pm
Weekends and Holidays 10 am-5:45 pm
Tours begin approximately every five minutes from the glass elevator on the stage level of the Old Post Office Pavilion. The observation deck is exposed to the weather and the Tower may close in bad weather.

History & Chronology

1890  Congressional committee selects site and drafts bill for purchase in same day.

1891  Willoughby J. Edbrooke, supervising architect of the Treasury, is appointed to finalize design of new Post Office Building.

1892 Construction begins.

1899 Construction is completed. Building used as headquarters for U.S. Postal Service and District of Columbia mail depot.

1909 Postal Service employees begin tradition of Flag Day here on June 14.

1914 District post office moves from building to Union Station.

1934 Postmaster General moves to new headquarters, and building is used for government overflow and storage.

1961 Report to President John Kennedy describes Pennsylvania Avenue as "blighted area." Presidential advisory board formed to study the future of the "Avenue of Presidents."

1964 Advisory body recommends demolition of Old Post Office and retention of tower only.

1971 Permit for building demolition approved. Preservationist group "Don't Tear It Down" plays key role in halting the wrecking.

1975 Nancy Hanks testifies on behalf of building's restoration.

1976 Congress passes Cooperative Use Act which enables private ventures to operate within federal buildings.

1983 Congress Bells ring and 13-cent postcard is issued in honor of building dedication. Building opens as home for National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for Humanities. Public use area dedicated.

1984 Old Post Office observation tower opens to public.

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