L'Enfant Plaza Square

Address: L’Enfant Plaza, Southwest Washington, D.C., United States

Hours: Public plaza open daily (retail hours vary by tenant)

Admission: Free (public plaza)

L’Enfant Plaza is a mixed-use plaza and commercial complex in the Southwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., named for city planner Pierre Charles L’Enfant. The development combines office towers, a hotel, retail spaces, and a public plaza above a major Metro station.

The complex includes an underground Metro station served by multiple Washington Metro lines, an enclosed retail concourse, office buildings, and a large hotel. The station functions as a significant transfer point with entrances integrated into the plaza and surrounding buildings.

The plaza and surrounding development were built as part of mid-20th century urban renewal and federal center planning for Southwest Washington; the name honors the designer of the original L’Enfant Plan for the capital. The built complex dates from the redevelopment period following the 1950s-1960s planning initiatives for the area.

L’Enfant Plaza sits just south of the National Mall in southwest Washington, D.C., adjacent to L’Enfant Promenade and within walking distance of multiple Smithsonian museums and federal office complexes.

• Proximity to National Mall: Positioned immediately south of the National Mall, offering direct pedestrian access toward Smithsonian museums and federal buildings.
• Transit hub and mixed use: Functions as both a mixed-use office and retail complex and a major transit node, with the plaza integrated into Washington Metro pedestrian circulation.

What to See#

• L’Enfant Plaza station: An underground Washington Metro station with multiple entrances in the plaza; it serves five Metro lines and functions as a major transfer point between the upper (Green/Yellow) and lower (Blue/Orange/Silver) platforms.
• Retail concourse and food court: An enclosed retail concourse and food court that runs beneath the plaza level and connects office towers and the hotel, offering shops and eateries aimed at building occupants and commuters.
• L’Enfant Plaza Hotel: A large hotel complex located within the plaza development that provides lodging and conference facilities adjacent to the office towers and retail areas.

L’Enfant Plaza is directly served by the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station (Blue, Orange, Silver, Green and Yellow lines). It’s a 10-20 minute walk to the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, and the U.S. Capitol depending on route. Numerous Metrobus and DC Circulator routes also stop nearby.

• Use the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station (served by Blue, Orange, Silver, Green and Yellow lines) for quickest access-the station opens directly into the plaza.
• The underground retail concourse can be busy during weekday commutes; evenings and weekends are quieter for photography.
• Be aware that the plaza complex has multiple levels-stairs, escalators and covered walkways-so follow signage for the Smithsonian Mall, riverwalk or courthouse.