The FBI has permanently shut down its longtime headquarters in the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C., relocating operations to the nearby Ronald Reagan Building. The move, announced by Director Kash Patel, scraps a $5 billion new construction plan and avoids over $300 million in maintenance costs. Officials say the decision enhances efficiency and supports taxpayer savings.
On Friday, the FBI officially closed the J. Edgar Hoover Building, its headquarters for decades in Washington, D.C. Director Kash Patel shared the news on X, highlighting the achievement after over 20 years of unsuccessful efforts. "After more than 20 years of failed attempts, we finalized a plan to permanently close the FBI’s Hoover headquarters and move the workforce into a safe, modern facility. Working directly with President Trump and Congress, we accomplished what no one else could," Patel wrote.
The relocation targets the Ronald Reagan Building, just down the block from the Hoover site. A previous proposal for a $5 billion purpose-built headquarters was abandoned in favor of this existing facility. "Instead, we selected the already-existing Reagan Building, saving billions and allowing the transition to begin immediately with required safety and infrastructure upgrades already underway," Patel added. Once upgrades finish, most headquarters staff will relocate there, while others join field operations permanently.
In July, General Services Administration Public Buildings Service Commissioner Michael Peters praised the shift in a press release. "This move not only provides a world-class location for the FBI’s public servants, but it also saves Americans billions of dollars on new construction and avoids more than $300 million in deferred maintenance costs at the J. Edgar Hoover facility," Peters said. He noted the partnership with Patel aims to boost efficiency for national security and taxpayer value.
The announcement occurs amid broader discussions on federal property management in the city, though officials have dismissed rumors of widespread teardowns as speculative. This closure marks a practical step toward modernizing FBI operations without excessive spending.
