After nearly 20 years of planning, the FBI has finalized a new home for its headquarters. On July 1, the FBI and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) jointly announced that the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., will serve as the agency’s new headquarters.
The decision moves away from previous plans to construct a new facility in the suburbs, an effort that would have taken years and cost taxpayers billions. Instead, the GSA and FBI identified an existing federal facility that aligns with federal real estate efficiency goals and supports the bureau’s operational needs.
“FBI's existing headquarters at the Hoover building is a great example of a government building that has accumulated years of deferred maintenance, suffering from an aging water system to concrete falling off the structure,” said GSA Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian. “I am proud of the GSA's commitment to working with Director Patel and his FBI team to find a building that best supports their mission and their people.”
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the historic nature of the move: “This is a historic moment for the FBI. Through our strong partnerships with members of Congress and GSA, we are ushering FBI Headquarters into a new era and providing our agents of justice a safer place to work. Moving to the Ronald Reagan Building is the most cost effective and resource efficient way to carry out our mission to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution."
The decision is expected to avoid more than $300 million in deferred maintenance costs at the current J. Edgar Hoover Building while also preserving federal dollars.
“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,” added GSA Public Buildings Service Commissioner Michael Peters. “We are proud to partner with Director Patel to drive efficiency and improve the quality of space for a productive workforce in service to national security and taxpayers.”
The Ronald Reagan Building currently houses U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other federal tenants. The GSA has pledged to collaborate with CBP to ensure their operations continue uninterrupted as the FBI transitions into the space.
The decision to repurpose the Reagan Building highlights a growing trend in federal infrastructure planning—prioritizing the use of existing assets over new construction. The move aligns with broader government efforts to consolidate office space, reduce the federal footprint, and save taxpayer money.
Once complete, the relocation will give FBI personnel access to modern facilities, improved technology infrastructure, and increased security capacity. While the transition timeline has not been finalized, the GSA and FBI are expected to release further updates regarding tenant realignments and construction phases over the coming months.
The Reagan Building’s central location in downtown D.C. also maintains proximity to key federal agencies and Congress, allowing the FBI to continue its close collaboration with other government partners without the logistical challenges of a suburban campus.
This shift marks the end of an era for the J. Edgar Hoover Building, which has housed the FBI since 1975. Though iconic, the structure has long been plagued by maintenance issues and outdated design features that no longer meet modern operational standards.
As the federal government continues to evaluate its real estate assets, the FBI’s move could serve as a model for other agencies considering similar transitions.
Originally reported by FBI Govt.