h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Also known as the Eisenhower Office Building, the Old Executive Office Building (OEOB...*everything* in DC has an acronym) is located right next to the White House at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. You can't miss it. Mark Twain called it the ugliest buidling in American and Harry Truman said it is the greatest monstrosity in America. There is no accounting for taste because this building is beautiful. Alfred Bult Mullet designed it in French Second Empire style. Construction started in 1871. It took 17 years to complete. Mr Mullet was never paid for his work, sued the government for $160,000, lost, and committed suicide in 1890 (information provide by About dot com if you want to read more).

I've never seen the inside, but there are tours. Only on Saturdays and the tours are booked up weeks in advance. Like the Smithsonian museums, the OEOB is free to the public.

I like it because it is so conspicuously lavish in a city that does not have particularly lavish buildings. There are lots of elegant buildings and many eclectic buildings, but the first time I saw the OEOB, I was stunned by its grandness. Took about a dozen photos and daydreamed about living in one of the top dormers.