The exterior granite was cut and polished on the island of Vinalhaven, Maine, under a contract with Bodwell Granite Company. Beset by financial difficulties, litigation, and illness, in 1890 he committed suicide. Truman called it 'the greatest monstrosity in America.' Historian Henry Adams called it Mullett's 'architectural infant asylum.' Mullett later resigned. Writer Mark Twain referred to this building as 'the ugliest building in America.' President Harry S. Patterned after French Second Empire architecture that clashed sharply with the neoclassical style of the other Federal buildings in the city, it was generally regarded with scorn and disdain. Mullett, Supervising Architect of the Department of Treasury, which had responsibility for federal buildings. The building, originally called the State, War, and Navy (SWAN) Building because it housed these three departments, was built between 18 in the French Second Empire style. Construction of the State, War, and Navy Building (undated) The State, War, and Navy Building in 1917 In 1869, following the Civil War, Congress appointed a commission to select a site and submit plan and cost estimates for a new State Department Building, with possible arrangements to house the War and Navy departments. The first executive offices were constructed between 17 on the former site of the Washington Jockey Club, flanking the White House. ( June 2017) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

There might be a discussion about this on the talk page. This section may be confusing or unclear to readers. While the building's elaborate style received substantial criticism when it was first completed, it has since been designated as a National Historic Landmark. It was built between 18, on the site of the original 1800 War/State/Navy Building and the White House stables, in the French Second Empire style.Īs its first name suggests, it was initially built to house three departments. Located on 17th Street NW, between Pennsylvania Avenue and State Place and West Executive Drive, the building was commissioned by President Ulysses S. Army general who was Allied forces commander during World War II. Opened in 1888, the building was renamed in 1999 in honor of Dwight D.

Maintained by the General Services Administration, the building currently houses the Executive Office of the President, including the Office of the Vice President of the United States. The Eisenhower Executive Office Building ( EEOB), formerly known as the Old Executive Office Building ( OEOB), and originally known as the State, War, and Navy Building ( SWAN Building), is a United States government building that is now part of the White House compound in the U.S.

Offic building inside