United States Capitol
The United States Capitol, often called The Capitol or the Capitol Building, is the seat of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. It is located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Although no longer at the geographic center of the federal district, the Capitol forms the origin point for the street-numbering system of the district as well as its four quadrants.
| United States Capitol | |
|---|---|
The west front of the U.S. Capitol in September 2013, facing toward the National Mall. | |
Location of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. United States Capitol (the District of Columbia) United States Capitol (the United States) | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | American neoclassic |
| Town or city | Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 38°53′23″N 77°00′32″W |
| Construction started | September 18, 1793 |
| Completed | 1800 (first occupation) 1962 (last extension) |
| Client | Washington administration |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 5 |
| Floor area | 16.5 acres (67,000 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | William Thornton, designer (see Architect of the Capitol) |
| Website | |
| www www | |
United States Capitol | |
| Added to NRHP | December 19, 1960 |
Central sections of the present building were completed in 1800. These were partly destroyed in the 1814 Burning of Washington, then were fully restored within five years. The building was enlarged in the 1850s by extending the wings for the chambers for the bicameral legislature, the House of Representatives in the south wing and the Senate in the north wing. The massive dome was completed around 1866 just after the American Civil War. Like the principal buildings of the executive and judicial branches, the Capitol is built in a neoclassical style and has a white exterior. Both its east and west elevations are formally referred to as fronts, although only the east front was intended for the reception of visitors and dignitaries.