The Waldorf Astoria in the Old Post Office

Located at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC is housed in the historic Old Post Office and Clock Tower. Completed in 1899, the building is a notable example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. It was the city's first building to feature a steel frame structure and incorporated electrical wiring into its design. Its clock tower remains the third tallest structure in Washington, D.C, excluding radio towers.

The building served as the city's main General Post Office until 1914. During the 1920s, 1930s, and 1970s, it was nearly torn down during the construction of the surrounding Federal Triangle complex. Instead, major renovations were conducted in 1976 and 1983, which added a food court, retail space, and a roof skylight over a 196-foot high atrium. The building was later leased in 2013 and became a luxury hotel in 2016 before reopening as the Waldorf Astoria on June 1, 2022.

Visitors can view the "Bells of Congress" and enjoy panoramic views from the observation level. The interior features a glass-covered atrium and mezzanine, with floors and moldings made of marble. While it was criticized by some architects in 1898 as being "a cross between a cathedral and a cotton mill," it remains a contributing property to the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons