National Geographic Society Headquarters

National Geographic Society Headquarters
16th Street Administration Building in 2009
Location1156 16th Street, NW and 1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Coordinates38°54′20″N 77°02′12″W / 38.90556°N 77.03667°W / 38.90556; -77.03667
Area2.85 acres (1.15 ha)
Built1904; 1912–13, 1931; 1963–64
ArchitectHornblower & Marshall, Arthur B. Heaton, Edward Durell Stone
Architectural styleItalianate, Neoclassical, New Formalism
NRHP reference No.100009025
Added to NRHPJune 5, 2023

The National Geographic Society Headquarters is a historic complex of buildings located in Washington, D.C. The complex was constructed in phases beginning in 1904 in order to house the offices and museum of the National Geographic Society, a scientific and educational nonprofit institution that has been headquartered in Washington since its 1888 founding. The historical portion of the site consists of three buildings: the 1904 original structure Hubbard Hall, the adjoining Administration Building, part of which was constructed from 1912–13 and the rest in 1932, and the 1963–64 Stone Building. A fourth, more modern building is not considered historical.

The National Geographic Society developed over time from a handful of Washington-area scientists into a substantial, internationally respected institution, and that growth is mirrored in the development of the organization's headquarters. The progressively larger buildings eventually occupied an entire half of a city block, and their architectural styles evolved over time. All were designed by notable architects, and the 1963–64 Stone Building by Edward Durell Stone in particular is considered a quality example of the New Formalism style.

The complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023. Hubbard Hall and the Administration Building had previously been listed on the register as contributing structures to the Sixteenth Street Historic District. The site is also listed on the District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites. As of 2025, the society still used the complex for its headquarters and was constructing a 2026 expansion on the site.