Built in 1894 and towering 164 feet above the street, The Cairo holds a special place in Washington, D.C.'s architectural history. Designed by architect Thomas Franklin Schneider, this historic building was so tall for its time that it directly led to the Height of Buildings Act of 1899, which still limits D.C. structures today. Originally opened as a luxury hotel, The Cairo attracted ambassadors, artists, and dignitaries during its heyday, offering lavish amenities and commanding views of the young capital city.
Architecturally, The Cairo is a rare and dramatic example of Moorish Revival design blended with Romanesque and Egyptian motifs. Its creamy limestone facade is richly textured with intricate carvings, ornate arches, geometric details, and an almost fortress-like massing that sets it apart from the surrounding cityscape. The entrance, photographed here bathed in the soft golden light of morning, showcases its deep, recessed archway flanked by grand globe-topped iron lamp posts — a design that feels at once exotic and stately.
Inside, the building features elaborate tiled floors, dramatic archways, and long, winding hallways reminiscent of a 19th-century European hotel. Over the decades, The Cairo has transitioned from hotel to apartments and now condominiums, maintaining much of its historic charm while adapting to modern city life. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Cairo remains one of Dupont Circle’s most beloved and recognizable landmarks. Its singular style and larger-than-life history continue to fascinate architecture lovers, historians, and residents alike.
Capturing The Cairo’s entrance in soft natural light emphasizes its fine stonework and the interplay of light and shadow across the textured surface — a fitting tribute to one of Washington, D.C.’s most distinctive and transformative buildings.
