The first was a neoclassical building designed by the architect Pablo de la Cruz, located on Calle 11 at Carrera 6 and operated since the 1920s.

The building was destroyed by a fire during the riots of 9 April 1948, known as the Bogotazo after the assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán.

[1] The building that replaced this one was designed by the architect Roberto Londoño in the 1960s, of modernist tendency with neoclassical elements.

[2] It was located in Bolívar Square and was destroyed on 6 November 1985 as a result of the capture by the M-19 guerrillas and the retaking of the palace by the army.

At the entrance is the only piece of the old structure: a plaque with a phrase of General Francisco de Paula Santander: Colombianos las armas os han dado la independencia, las leyes os darán la libertad (Colombians, weapons have given you independence, laws shall give you freedom).