Cannon Renewal Project FAQs

This iconic facility, built in 1908, is the oldest congressional office building. The building structure and many of the building systems have not been modernized during the building's existence. A critical stage was reached in the life of the Cannon Building as the century-old building was plagued with serious safety, health, environmental and operational issues that caused rapid deterioration. Without action through the Cannon Renewal, the essential systems housed behind the walls and in mechanical rooms would continue to crumble and fail, impacting members, staff and constituents. To address these urgent problems and to ensure the Cannon Building provides an effective congressional workplace into the next century, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) initiated a complete renewal of the building.

Prior to renewal, the building experienced plumbing leaks, plaster ceiling and wall failures, and chunks of decorative stone dislodging from the building exterior and falling to the ground. The project improves the functionality of the building for both members and staff, making it far more efficient, comfortable and safer, while retaining the historic grandeur of the building. The renewal project replaced or repaired key building systems such as heating, cooling, lighting, plumbing, fire and life safety, accessibility and structural integrity.

The renewal project is scheduled to take approximately 10 years, broken into five distinct phases of work.

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The duration of each phase aligned with the congressional move cycles. Work included demolishing and rebuilding the fifth floor, conserving the exterior stonework and rehabilitating the individual office suites.

The Cannon Building courtyard will become usable green space for the first time since the garage below it was built in the 1950s, when building utilities were placed on top. As part of the renewal, those systems have been removed, replaced and rebuilt elsewhere. The courtyard will be available for use once construction is complete.

Members located in the Cannon Building's four construction zone phases were relocated at the end of the Congressional session for the following session. All House members had a suite located in the Longworth, Rayburn or Cannon House Office Buildings. Construction crews created additional member suites in the Longworth and Rayburn Buildings and these suites were included in member office lottery. Some committee and support staff were relocated to the Ford House Office Building and the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. House Office Building (located next to the Ford Building). Each phase of the project required the affected wing to be vacated. Those who vacated largely had the right of first refusal to return to their renewed suite two years later.

During each construction phase, offices in the section of the Cannon Building closed for renovation were excluded from the lottery process. House leadership made final space use decisions.

The Architect of the Capitol is committed to maximizing taxpayer value, reducing the risk, and minimizing disruption to the work of Congress. Similar projects have been conducted throughout the executive branch including the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and the headquarters of the Departments of Interior, Justice, Treasury and Commerce.