A rendering of the new International Spy Museum

WASHINGTON, DC-Site work has begun for the new International Spy Museum at L'Enfant Plaza.

The museum and JBG Cos. completed their agreement to develop a new 140,000-square foot home for museum, according to an announcement by JBG Cos., the majority owner of L'Enfant Plaza, and The Malrite Co., which created and founded the museum. In the meantime, the International Spy Museum continues to operate at 800 F St. NW.

The District has been working with the Cleveland-based Malrite Co. for more than a year to keep the museum in the city. (The International Spy Museum itself is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit).

The new building will sit in front of the glass atrium on the Plaza. London-based architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners created the design for the building, which will feature a glass veil suspended in front of an enclosed black box exhibition space. This will allow visitors to be seen from both inside and outside the museum — a reflection of the Museum's espionage-related themes of secrets revealed and hiding in plain sight.

Washington-based Hickok Cole Architects will be the architect of record for the project.

The new building is slated to open in spring 2018.

The project is expected to create more than 300 construction jobs and when it is complete, the larger museum will have 20% more staff. It will also heighten the profile of L'Enfant Plaza and 10th Street and the Southwest Ecodistrict in general, according to JBG Cos.

The International Spy Museum and JBG Cos. did not return requests to comment for this story.

WASHINGTON, DC-Site work has begun for the new International Spy Museum at L'Enfant Plaza.

The District has been working with the Cleveland-based Malrite Co. for more than a year to keep the museum in the city. (The International Spy Museum itself is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit).

Washington-based Hickok Cole Architects will be the architect of record for the project.

The new building is slated to open in spring 2018.

The International Spy Museum and JBG Cos. did not return requests to comment for this story.

Instant Insights /

Site Work Begins on 140,000-SF International Spy Museum

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