Mill Creek Residential recently began redevelopment of the former Italian Embassy in Washington, DC.
The site will house 134 high-end apartments. The original 1925 embassy building will be restored and renovated into townhouse-style rentals.
The Italian Embassy moved to a new location on Whitehaven Street in Washington, DC in 2002.
This is one of the most desirable pieces of real estate in the entire DC Metro region. The existing building on the site served as the home of the Italian Embassy from 1925-1977, and continued to operate as the Italian chancery until 2002. The building was designed in a neo-renaissance style by architects Whitney Warren and Charles D. Wetmore. Warren and Wetmore also designed the Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
Mill Creek will preserve the history of this venerable building, while also developing a new nine-story high-rise on the property as well. In total, the community will consist of 135 luxury apartment homes with two levels of below-grade parking, consisting of studios, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom floor plans. These homes will offer a level of prominence and prestige that presents significant value for both residents and investors.
In addition, more than 2,000 square feet of historical Embassy space will be preserved and transformed into amenity areas that promote a European cosmopolitan aesthetic. Included will be a resident clubhouse located in the Embassy’s Grand Ballroom, in addition to a business center, rooftop terrace, club-quality fitness center, and landscaped outdoor terraces.
The outdoor public/private terraces, in addition to the Embassy’s historic Courtyard, will offer a very distinctive, open, and green environment, which is uncommon in a downtown DC apartment community. The preservation of the Embassy’s historic spaces, combined with the addition of modern homes and luxurious amenities, will create a truly unique living atmosphere for the District.
The Italian Embassy is situated in close proximity to Adams Morgan and the U Street Corridor, two of the District’s most in-demand submarkets. The walkable area is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and retail shops with a variety of nightlife and cultural options. 16th Street NW is one of the city’s few authentic north-south roads, which will provide residents expedient access to K Street in downtown, and the Capital Beltway to the north.
Image credit: Mill Creek Residential