Lafayette Building (Washington, D.C.)

The Lafayette Building, also known as the Export-Import Bank Building, is a historic federal office building located at 811 Vermont Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. Completed in 1940 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005, it played a crucial role during World War II as the headquarters for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, which financed the mobilization of the U.S. economy. Designed in the Stripped Classical style by the architectural firm Holabird & Root, the building features a restrained exterior typical of its era, with high-quality materials and minimal ornamentation. Its unique 'E' shaped footprint and prominent location near Lafayette Square and McPherson Square make it an interesting site for tourists and researchers alike. The building retains much of its original architectural integrity and houses the Export-Import Bank of the United States and offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs.