L'Enfant-McMillan Plan of Washington, DC, Washington, District of Columbia, DC

Significance: The historic plan of Washington, designed by Pierre L'Enfant in 1791 as the site of the Federal City, represents the sole American example of a comprehensive baroque city plan with a coordinated system of radiating avenues, parks and vistas laid over an orthogonal system. Influenced by the designs of several European cities and 18th century gardens such as France's Palace of Versailles, the plan was symbolic and innovative for the new nation...The foremost manipulation of L'Enfant's plan began in the late 19th century, and was codified in 1901 with the McMillan Commission, which directed urban improvements that resulted in the most elegant example of City Beautiful tenets in the nation. L'Enfant's plan was magnified and expanded during the early decades of the 20th century with the reclamation of land for waterfront parks, parkways, and improved Mall, and new monuments and vistas. 200 years since its design, the integrity of the plan is largely unimpaired - boasting a legally enforced height restriction, landscaped parks, wide avenues, and open space allowing intended vistas.
Survey number: HABS DC-668
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 97000332