The International Spy Museum opened at the corner of 8th and F Streets downtown in 2002. The building incorporates the original facade of 816 F Street, once known as the Adams Building.

The building, built in 1878, was originally leased to J. Bradley Adams, its namesake. Adams, a book salesman and stationer, later owned the building. The building housed an impressive amount of retail establishments and offices throughout the years. The building is done in a High Victorian Italianate style, with friezes and ornate moldings, as well as a gable with the year the structure was built (either 1876 or 1878, it’s unclear).

Everything from confectioners to lawyers to shirtmakers served as tenants in the 1800s. In the 20th century, the most prominent tenant was George’s Radio Company, later George’s Radio and Television company, which occupied the building for nearly 40 years – from the 30s through the 70s. The status of the building is unclear after that – perhaps commenters who were around in D.C. in the time could clue me in to what happened to the building in the 80s and 90s.

The downtown area in general went through a revitalization once the MCI Arena, now the Verizon Center, opened down the block in 1997. Not long after, the International Spy Museum opened in 800 F Street, encompassing the old Adams building and a few others. Now, the entire 800 block of F street is on the registry of the National Register of Historic Places. Great to see this historic facades of this, and other buildings preserved, while allowing for new, more modern uses of the building.