Why the Pentagon is a Pentagon

A Site Chosen for Convenience

In 1941, as the United States prepared for World War II, the War Department needed a new headquarters to house its growing staff. The original site chosen was Arlington Farms, near Arlington National Cemetery. The location was spacious, but to fit the planned building between existing roads, architects designed a five-sided structure.

A Design Born from Constraints

The Pentagon’s shape was dictated by the site’s irregular boundaries. Since the planned building needed to maximize space while conforming to existing roads, architects created a five-sided structure. The design also ensured that workers could move efficiently between offices, as the building would be wider than a standard rectangular layout.

A Last-Minute Relocation

Before construction began, concerns arose about blocking views of Washington, D.C. President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved a new location in Arlington, Virginia. Though the move eliminated the original land restrictions, the five-sided design remained unchanged.

The World’s Largest Office Building

Completed in 1943, the Pentagon became the world’s largest office building, covering 6.5 million square feet. Despite its size, the design allows people to walk between opposite points in just seven minutes.

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