Things to do nearthe Watergate Building

Completed in stages between 1965 and 1971, the Watergate complex was designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti and developed as a self-contained urban village with residences, offices, a hotel, and retail space. Its sinuous forms were unusual for Washington and drew immediate attention as a bold departure from the city's prevailing architectural conventions.

The complex became permanently linked to American political history following the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee offices housed within, an event that ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation. Today that history adds a layer of cultural significance that makes the Watergate Building unlike almost any other address in the country.

Visitors can walk the public areas, admire the travertine exteriors, and take in views of the Potomac and the Kennedy Center next door. The site sits in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood, making it easy to combine with broader explorations of the National Mall and Georgetown waterfront.

Whether approached as an architectural landmark or a site of pivotal American history, the Watergate Building offers a genuinely singular experience in a city full of memorable places.