Washington DC | 3D Cities

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Washington, DC — A Capital Capitol

Meticulously planned, envisioned, replanned, and re-envisioned, the birth of America’s capital city is not unlike the evolution of the USA itself. Famous for its governing branches and the Neoclassicist buildings that house them, Washington, DC’s landscape has more than meets the eye if you know where to look. Enter: MiniCty -- the miniature model with a big bipartisan punch, where everyone can agree that this monumental city is so much more than just its monuments.

While its tallest building* is only 329 feet, we here at MiniCty are big fans of little details, and DC is a perfect example of how a city’s architectural breadth can easily dwarf its skyline’s height. From the Italianate icons of the 18th-century through the Neo-Eclectic phases of the 2010s, you’ll find nearly 30 different building styles in Washington, DC’s comparatively small city footprint (68.34 mi²). Did you know all roads lead to the Capitol Building? It’s like Rome but not.

*notwithstanding its tallest structure of course: the Washington Monument, which is the world’s tallest obelisk at 554’ 7 11⁄32” (Don’t ask us how they arrived at that height). The Washington Monument will appear in a future model focusing on The Mall and the museums.

The City of Magnificent Distances

Passed in 1910, The Height of Buildings Act cemented DC’s horizontal landscape, ensuring the city expanded outward, not upward. Since DC is expansive, we’re focused on the Downtown/NW area from Constitution Ave NW and the National Archives, to Logan and Dupont Circles, and from 20th to 7th St NW. You’ll instantly recognize The White House and the Ellipse, and experience other city gems like you never have before. Because our model of Washington, DC is built from laser-scan data from 2014, the only building that we missed is the new Hotel Conrad Washington DC.

While our 8”x8” MiniCty models are standard, we also offer a variety of larger sizes to satisfy any desire. Sizes include 12”, 16”, 24”, 30”, 36”, up to a wall-covering 54”x54”. As the prints get larger, the buildings get bigger and the detail increases! But you get a lot more than simply buildings from MiniCty - you get every tree, bus, hill, park, bridge, and detail, and the largest prints include every car, fence, chimney, spire, and shrub! Check out the shop for prices, and ask us if you don’t see the size you want. We also do custom work; contact us to discuss your idea!

Banner photo from the USGS.