Pentagon Renovation Program

The Pentagon Renovation Program (PENREN) was a big project by the United States Department of Defense to completely update the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. This work started in the 1990s and finished in June 2011.

The renovation was needed because, by the mid-1990s, the Pentagon had never had a major update. Its building systems had gotten too old and needed to be replaced. There was also asbestos throughout the building, which made any repairs very difficult.

The Defense Authorization Act of 1991 changed who was in charge of the Pentagon. It moved control from the General Services Administration to the Department of Defense. This change also created a special fund to pay for the renovations, allowing the Secretary of Defense to set rental rates for people using space in the Pentagon to help pay for the work.

Projects

Information technology

The Pentagon’s old computer systems were outdated and hard to manage because they were built long before modern technology like personal computers and digital phones existed. Over time, new systems were added without careful planning, making everything messy. The renovation fixed this with over 1,700 miles of new wiring, hundreds of thousands of connections for phones and computers, and many new servers to store information.

Metro entrance facility

When the Pentagon’s subway station first opened, people could walk directly from the train to the building. After security changes, especially after the events of September 11, 2001, this direct path was closed. A new bus station and entrance were built further away, with a covered walkway connecting the bus stop to the Pentagon.

Navy build-out 2A1

The Navy needed new office space in the basement of one part of the Pentagon. Workers tore out the old space and built new offices, meeting rooms, and support areas. They also added special supports under the floor to hold up the new structure. This project finished in June 2003.

Pentagon Athletic Center

The old gym near the Pentagon was small and crowded. A new, bigger gym was built closer to the main building. It has more space for exercise, more equipment, and can fit many more people at the same time.

Pentagon Library and Conference Center

The old gym was torn down to make room for a new library and meeting spaces. The new area has a big open entrance, bright lighting, and many places for people to meet and work.

Pentagon Memorial

The Pentagon Memorial honors those who were affected by the events of September 11, 2001. It is open to everyone and has space for quiet reflection. The memorial focuses on using resources wisely, like saving water and energy.

Phoenix Project

The Phoenix Project rebuilt the part of the Pentagon that was damaged when a plane hit it on September 11, 2001. Workers rebuilt the damaged areas quickly so people could return to their offices by September 11, 2002.

Remote Delivery Facility

A new building was built to handle all the packages and deliveries for the Pentagon. This helps keep the area safer by checking everything before it reaches the main building. The facility has many loading docks and even a helipad on the roof.

Roads, grounds, and security

After the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, new roads and security measures were added around the Pentagon to keep it safer. These projects finished in October 2004.

Swing space

While parts of the Pentagon were being renovated, some offices had to move to temporary spaces nearby. Over one million square feet of temporary office space was set up to keep everyone working while the building was updated.

Wedge 1

The first part of the Pentagon to be renovated was called Wedge 1. Workers removed old materials and built new offices, elevators, windows, and other features to make the building safer and more modern. People started moving back in February 2001, and the work was finished by February 2003.

Wedges 2–5

The remaining parts of the Pentagon were updated to meet today’s safety and building rules. This included removing old materials, adding new elevators and escalators, and installing better security systems. The work started in September 2001 and was finished earlier than planned, in December 2010. The renovation also focused on using energy-efficient designs and protecting against dangers like fires and harmful chemicals.