FBI Director Kash Patel has confirmed plans to shut down the aging J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C., marking the end of an era for the Bureau’s historic headquarters as operations move to a new facility in Maryland.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Department of Justice, Patel described the decision as “a major step toward modernization,” citing years of structural issues, security challenges, and the need for updated technology and workspace infrastructure. The J. Edgar Hoover Building, which opened in 1975, has served as the FBI’s main office for five decades.
The closure will pave the way for a transition to the Bureau’s future headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland, a massive, state-of-the-art complex designed to enhance inter-agency collaboration and cyber defense capabilities. Patel said relocation is expected to begin in late 2026, with minimal disruption to ongoing investigations and law enforcement operations.
He also emphasized that the move reflects a broader effort to “transform federal law enforcement for the 21st century,” noting that the new facility aligns with the FBI’s expanding focus on digital threats, counterintelligence, and national security issues.
The J. Edgar Hoover Building, named after the Bureau’s first director, has faced decades of criticism for its deteriorating structure and restrictive layout. Congress approved funding for a new headquarters site earlier this year following years of debate over relocation options.
