The LeDroit Building – F Street at 8th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.

The 800 Block of F Street, NW is representative of the earliest development of F Street as the commercial core of Washington, DC It typifies the growth of Washington from its sleepy southern village days to an advanced and enterprising city. Surrounded by such monumental buildings such as the old Patent Office (now the National Portrait Gallery) and the General Post Office, the 800 Block of F Street introduces a varied facade which enhances the qualities of these buildings and the L’Enfant plan itself.

In 1875, the Le Droit Building at the SW corner of 8th and F Streets was erected. Designed by James McGill in the Italianate commercial style of its period, the Le Droit Building was intended exclusively for office use. Its first tenants included J. Bradley Adams and William H. Boyd (publisher of Boyd’s Directory), a barber, two auctioneers, various agents, twenty lawyers and others, including the architect, James McGill until 1880. Further development resulted in 814 F Street which was built in 1875 or 1876. By 1877, J. Bradley Adams moved his book and stationery business from the Le Droit Building to this address. Soon after, in 1878, Soon after, in 1878, Adams erected the Adams Building at 816 F Street for his own use.

Today the LeDroit Building houses the International Spy Museum, a privately owned museum dedicated to the field of espionage.