The Richards Building was the headquarters of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1871 to 1929.

It was located in Washington, D.C., on a block immediately south of the United States Capitol.

[3][4] The builders structured the building in the form of a hotel with many small rooms, so it could be used as such if the government did not renew its initial 10-year lease.

This caused difficulties, as the layout was not well suited to functions such as use as a printing and lithographic plant and machine and carpenter shop.

[4] By 1916, the building was considered so inadequate that United States Secretary of Commerce William C. Redfield reported to the United States Congress that, "were there such a function as a public incendiary, these buildings are among the first that should receive his official attention.