OpenAI Stakes Its Claim in the Nation's Capital with New Downtown D.C. Office

The artificial intelligence revolution is officially coming to Washington D.C.'s doorstep. ChatGPT creator OpenAI has secured a significant downtown office space, signaling the company's serious commitment to expanding its presence in the political and policy-making heart of America.

A Strategic Move to the Gallup Building

According to recent reporting, OpenAI has leased over 14,500 square feet on the fifth floor of the historic Gallup Building at 901 F Street NW. The lease, signed in June 2025, represents a substantial upgrade from the company's current coworking space arrangement in the district. The new office is slated to open its doors in March 2026.

The Gallup Building itself is steeped in history, originally built in 2000 but incorporating the historic Masonic Temple designed by Adolph Cluss and Joseph von Kammerhueber and completed in 1868. This blend of historic architecture with modern office space seems fitting for a company that's bridging cutting-edge technology with traditional governance structures.

More Than Just Office Space

This isn't simply a real estate transaction – it's a strategic positioning move. OpenAI plans to use the D.C. location to significantly boost its lobbying efforts as artificial intelligence regulation becomes an increasingly important topic in Washington. The company currently has 30 employees in the D.C. area, and this new space will provide room for growth.

Perhaps most intriguingly, the office will feature a space called "The Workshop" where government leaders and policymakers will be able to test OpenAI's latest technology firsthand. This hands-on approach could prove crucial in helping lawmakers better understand AI capabilities and limitations as they craft future regulations.

Leadership and Vision

The D.C. office will be headed by Chan Park, OpenAI's head of global affairs for the U.S. and Canada, working alongside Joe Larson, who recently joined OpenAI in July after leaving defense technology firm Anduril. This leadership team suggests OpenAI is taking a sophisticated approach to government relations, combining policy expertise with defense sector experience.

A Global Expansion Strategy

This Washington D.C. office represents just one piece of OpenAI's ambitious global expansion. The company, which is reportedly on the verge of becoming the highest-valued startup ever at $500 billion, now maintains offices across multiple continents including New York City, Seattle, Paris, Brussels, Singapore, San Francisco, London, Dublin, and Tokyo.

The Bigger Picture

OpenAI's move to establish a substantial D.C. presence reflects the growing recognition that AI companies can no longer operate in isolation from government oversight. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into everything from healthcare to national security, the relationship between AI innovators and policymakers becomes more critical than ever.

The timing is particularly significant as Congress and federal agencies grapple with how to regulate AI development while still fostering innovation. Having a dedicated space where lawmakers can experience AI technology firsthand could help bridge the knowledge gap that often exists between technological capabilities and regulatory understanding.

Looking Ahead

As OpenAI prepares to open its doors in March 2026, this move represents more than just corporate expansion – it's a signal that the AI industry is maturing into a sector that recognizes the importance of proactive engagement with government and regulatory bodies.

For Washington D.C., the arrival of OpenAI adds to the city's growing reputation as a technology hub, not just a center of government. The intersection of cutting-edge AI technology and policy-making promises to create fascinating dynamics in the months and years ahead.

This blog post is based on reporting by Ben Peters, Staff Reporter for the Washington Business Journal. The original article "Here's where OpenAI plans to open a downtown D.C. office" was published on August 22, 2025, and updated at 3:17pm EDT. Source: Washington Business Journal.