Spy Museum Moving To L'Enfant Plaza

The International Spy Museum has finalized a deal with The JBG Cos to move to a newly constructed 140k SF building in L'Enfant Plaza. 

This would significantly increase the size of the museum, which has 20k SF of exhibit space at its 800 F St NW home. This expansion is expected to increase the museum's staff size by 20%.

Construction preparation has begun and the building is slated to open in spring 2018. Construction is expected to create 300 jobs. 

The Malrite Co founder Milton Maltz founded and owns the Spy Museum—which opened in 2002—and has been working with JBG for more than a year on plans to move to L'Enfant Plaza.

"Our relationship with the Spy Museum is an exciting new phase in our revitalization of L’Enfant Plaza," JBG principal Britt Snider said in a release. “The addition of this popular cultural attraction will be a further catalyst to our investment in making L’Enfant Plaza a dynamic and active destination for workers and tourists alike."

JBG will act as Malrite's representatives during the construction process. London-based architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners designed the building, and DC-based Hickok Architects will be the local architect of record.

The DC government had worked with Malrite to ensure the museum stayed in the district. 

“The International Spy Museum has long been a destination for residents and visitors, finding innovative ways to keep us connected with our past,” DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a release. “The new Spy Museum will be a welcome addition to Southwest as we continue to attract businesses and expand economic opportunity.”