Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in 2021
General information
Address	1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Town or city	Washington, D.C.
Country	United States
Coordinates	38°53′38″N 77°1′51″W / 38.89389°N 77.03083°W / 38.89389; -77.03083
Inaugurated	May 5, 1998
Cost	$768 million
Owner	General Services Administration
Technical details
Size	11 acres (4.5 ha)
Floor area	3,100,000 sq ft (290,000 m²)
Design and construction
Architect	James Ingo Freed
Architecture firm	Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Ellerbe Becket

The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center is a huge building in downtown Washington, D.C.. It's named after former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. This building was the first federal building in Washington designed for both government work and private businesses.

Many groups focused on international trade and global connections have offices here. Some of these include U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is also based in this building. The building also hosts many events like conferences, trade shows, and concerts. After the events of September 11, 2001, security rules changed. This meant less public access than originally planned.

Building's Story: How It Was Made
Who Works Here
Fun Events and Activities
Gallery
See also

Building's Story: How It Was Made

Early Ideas and Plans

An old drawing of Bethany Chapel, a church built in 1874. It was later taken down to make way for the Federal Triangle area.

The building stands near the Federal Triangle station in Washington, D.C. This area was once a busy part of the city with many shops and places to eat. In the 1920s, the government bought the land. They planned to make it part of a big project called the Federal Triangle redevelopment. For many years, the area where the building now stands was just a large parking lot.

In the 1960s and 1970s, people wanted to finish the Federal Triangle project. They planned to build a large office building on the parking lot. In 1972, the Nixon administration suggested a $126 million office building. This building was meant to be ready for the nation's 200th birthday in 1976. However, this idea never got enough support or money.

Later, a plan called "the Weese Plan" was created. It suggested a huge new federal office building. It also proposed new walking paths called "Federal Walk." These paths would connect buildings and offer places for tourists to rest, see art, and find cafes. Parts of Federal Walk were built over 15 years, but it was never fully finished. In 1982, the General Services Administration (GSA) held a contest for a 10-story office building design. But other planning groups did not approve the plans.

Getting Support for the Project

In 1986, the idea for an office building on the parking lot gained support. A group called the Federal City Council wanted to build a $200 million international trade center. They suggested building it at Federal Triangle. President Reagan's administration liked this idea. In October 1986, the GSA also supported the plan. Many members of Congress, including Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, also wanted to complete the Federal Triangle.

Some people worried about losing parking spaces downtown. They also feared that underground parking might not be possible due to poor soil. Despite these concerns, Congress passed a bill on August 7, 1987. It provided $362 million to build an "International Cultural and Trade Center."

Building Plans and Challenges

The new building was planned to have offices for the U.S. Departments of Justice and State. The government would pay for the building, but a private company would build it. The government would then rent space for 30 years. After that, the government would own the building. This was only the fifth time the government used such a "lease-to-own" agreement. The building was planned to be very large, with lots of office space and trade center activities.

The bill also said the building must fit in with other historic government buildings nearby. It needed to show the importance of Pennsylvania Avenue and the nation's capital. A special group was set up to approve all plans. This group included government officials and members of the public. The building was expected to be finished by 1992. President Reagan signed the Federal Triangle Development Act into law on August 22, 1987.

Early designs said the building should not be taller than existing Federal Triangle buildings. It should use similar materials and focus on making it easy for people to walk around. An early model showed a long front along 14th Street NW. It also had two curved sections on the east side. These plans were criticized for not being clear enough about the building's style. People also worried about bringing 10,000 new workers to the area each day.

Construction was set to begin in 1989 and finish in 1993. However, disagreements arose over which government groups should move into the building. In June 1989, seven designs were submitted. Each design included a new home for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. They also included an outdoor memorial to President Woodrow Wilson and spaces for exhibits and shops.

Construction Begins and Stops

Construction started in mid-1989. The estimated cost of the building grew much higher than expected, from $350 million to between $550 million and $800 million. In October 1989, the design group chose a $738.3 million design by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. A group of developers, led by William Zeckendorf Jr. and Larry Silverstein, was chosen to build and run the building.

However, the project was paused by the George H. W. Bush administration. The GSA refused to sign the lease. They said the rent was too high and would cost the government money. Even though the architects tried to make the design cheaper, some people in Congress thought the project was dead. In September 1990, changes were made to cut $82 million from the cost. This included removing theaters and using less expensive materials. The cost was reduced to $656 million.

In January 1991, the number of parking spaces was increased to 2,500. But problems continued. A member of the design committee quit in late 1991, saying the Bush administration was interfering. In January 1992, even as the foundation was being dug, the GSA said the building would not make enough money. The Bush administration then canceled the project on January 25, 1992. A court later found that the chosen developer had been selected incorrectly.

Project Restart and Opening

The decision to cancel the building was changed on December 2, 1993, by the Clinton administration. The building was originally meant to be a big tourist spot. Now, it would mostly be a simple office building. Federal agencies were planned to use 80 percent of the office space. By January 1995, the building was two years behind schedule.

In September 1995, they hoped to open the building by December 1996. The building was named after former President Ronald Reagan in October 1995. There were still some design issues. The GSA approved two large sculptures for the Woodrow Wilson Plaza in 1994. Work on them was stopped and then restarted in 1996. Construction kept falling behind. By January 1997, it was expected to open in the summer. Security concerns led to more design changes, including fewer parking spaces. The cost of the building had risen to $738 million.

Grand Opening

The 14th Street NW side of the Ronald Reagan Building in 2006.

The Ronald Reagan Building officially opened on May 5, 1998. President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Nancy Reagan were there for the dedication. Three large artworks were placed in the building. One is a giant rose and a lily made of aluminum. Another is a tall, brown metal sculpture called "Bearing Witness" in Woodrow Wilson Plaza. Inside, there is a colorful neon art piece called "Route Zenith." The final cost of the building was $818 million.

Modern Updates

In early 2015, the GSA announced that the inside of the Reagan Building needed updates. Things like carpets, furniture, and equipment had reached the end of their useful life. The GSA started looking for companies to help renovate the building.

Who Works Here

Many important groups have offices in the Ronald Reagan Building. These include CBP, USAID, and the Wilson Center. Other federal agencies like the Department of Commerce, EPA, and GSA are also here. You can also find the National Children's Museum, several shops, and other businesses and non-profit groups.

Fun Events and Activities

The building's conference center hosts over 1,200 events every year. These include many of Washington's big social gatherings. The International Trade Center has two large ballrooms and spaces for exhibitions and receptions. The outdoor Woodrow Wilson Plaza, which is four acres, is also used for special events.

The building has the city's largest parking garage and a visitor information center. It's also connected to a Washington Metro station. More than one million tourists visit the building each year. During the summer, concerts are held on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza. Many food options also draw people to the building during lunchtime. The National Children's Museum opened in the building on February 24, 2020.

Gallery

Atrium
Lobby
Tetrahedral skylight
Food court with diner
Under construction
With black drapes and photographs following Reagan's death in 2004
The building houses a segment of the Berlin Wall.
Bearing Witness by Martin Puryear in Woodrow Wilson Plaza of the Ronald Reagan Building