The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) height criteria was used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Geodetic Survey (NGS) to determine the true architectural height of the Washington Monument. Following conversations with CTBUH last year, the NGS has announced that the obelisk now measures 554 feet, 7 and 11/32 inches tall, nearly 10 inches shorter than its historical height of 555 feet, 5 and 1/8 inches. This information comes as a result of precise measurements taken from the lowest significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance, as directed by the height criteria set forth by the Council. Originally, historical measurements were taken from a set of brass markers that remain 10 inches below ground. Appropriately timed near Presidents Day, this update was featured in numerous media outlets around the country.

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About the Council: A nonprofit organization, founded in 1969 and based at Illinois Institute of Technology Main Campus, the CTBUH facilitates the exchange of the latest knowledge available on tall buildings around the world through events, publications, research, working groups, web resources, and its extensive network of international representatives.