It was established in 1998 and is headquartered at Schloss Deichmannsaue, Bonn, with additional offices in Berlin and Cottbus.

The BBR is responsible for overseeing major Federal building projects in Germany and abroad.

The BBSR, as Departments I and II of the BBR, supports the Cabinet of Germany with expert scientific advice in the areas of construction and housing, spatial planning, and urban development.

[3][4] Since 1998, the Office has published the yearbook Bau und Raum (Construction and Space), which reports on the Federal Government's most important construction and research projects.

By organizational decree of 8 December 2021, the Chancellor ordered the transfer to the remit of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building.