CHANCERIESTHE DIPLOMATIC ATLAS

Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil

Diplomatic history and full roster

Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil

3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Olavo Redig de Campos’s suspended glass pavilion lifts three office floors above a recessed entrance beside the ambassador’s residence. The site area and assessed value below cover the shared chancery–residence compound.

FactValueBasis and sources
Constructed1971documented; Official inauguration, corroborated construction year The embassy gives 1 October 1971 as the inauguration date. Grunley and the DC assessor also identify 1971. The 1973 date in SAH and historic address metadata remains a documented discrepancy; the partial renovation completed on 15 June 2011 was a separate event.
  1. grunley.com
  2. www.gov.br
Acquired by BrazilOn the 1934 estateestate acquisition documented; separate building purchase not established; Estate purchase is distinct from construction and opening of the modern chancery Brazil bought Villa McCormick on 12 September 1934. The modern chancery opened beside it in 1971. No separate purchase of this later building or deed crosswalk proving that every part of today’s parcel was included in the 1934 sale was established.
  1. www.gov.br
  2. www.gov.br
NeighborhoodMassachusetts Avenue Heightsdocumented; Architectural neighborhood; assessor geography stated separately Embassy Row / Massachusetts Avenue Heights in architectural accounts; the DC assessment neighborhood is Observatory Circle. These are different geographic classifications.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  2. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  3. sah-archipedia.org
ArchitectOlavo Redig de Camposdocumented; Original building; GHT Chartered belongs to the separate 2011 renovation With assistant Ricardo de Abreu and local consulting architect Hans-Ulrich Scharnberg. The embassy describes steel columns along the central longitudinal module.
  1. www.gov.br
Rooms60–145 est.estimated; Planning estimate: rooms = building area × room-area fraction ÷ average room size. For this office property, assume 45%–65% of the recorded 54,404 sq ft is enclosed usable room area, with an average 250–400 sq ft per room. The range combines the low fraction with the larger room size and the high fraction with the smaller size, rounded outward to five rooms. Room allocation and average size are assumptions. Covers the recorded building area; the interior has not been independently measured. Estimated room range.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Floor area54,400 sq ftverified; DC CAMA living gross building area (LIVING_GBA), building 2, section 1; building attribution inferred
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Site area77,000 sq ftverified; Shared estate total: 2147/0059. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
2026 Value$14.4Mverified; Shared estate total: 2147/0059. Active 2026 DC ITSPE ASSESSMENT; land plus improvements. Not proposed value, tax owed, sale price or leasehold value.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov

Complete property record

Brazilian Ambassador’s Residence

3000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

John Russell Pope’s limestone Villa McCormick became Brazil’s permanent ambassadorial home in 1934. Its five-bay garden façade, columned entrance and curved library porch face the grounds. Land and assessed value are shared with the chancery and counted in that entry.

FactValueBasis and sources
Constructed1910verified; The DC Inventory of Historic Sites dates the Robert S. McCormick House to circa 1910. The DC Preservation League historical account specifies construction from 1908 to 1910. Use the completion endpoint 1910; later landscape work and alterations do not replace the original building date.
  1. historicsites.dcpreservation.org
  2. planning.dc.gov
Acquired by Brazil12 September 1934documented; Official embassy history; exact purchase date Ruth Hanna Simms and General Charles G. Dawes sold Villa McCormick to the Brazilian government for $200,000. This is the historical purchase price, not today’s assessment.
  1. www.gov.br
NeighborhoodMassachusetts Avenue Heightsdocumented Massachusetts Avenue Heights / Embassy Row in historic architectural sources; Observatory Circle is the DC assessment neighborhood.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  2. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  3. planning.dc.gov
ArchitectJohn Russell Popedocumented; Original house architect and builder Commissioned by Robert S. and Katherine McCormick in 1908; built by William P. Lipscomb.
  1. planning.dc.gov
  2. www.gov.br
Rooms20–45 est.estimated; Planning estimate: rooms = building area × room-area fraction ÷ average room size. For this residential reception property, assume 55%–70% of the recorded 18,909 sq ft is enclosed usable room area, with an average 300–450 sq ft per room. The range combines the low fraction with the larger room size and the high fraction with the smaller size, rounded outward to five rooms. Room allocation and average size are assumptions. Covers the recorded building area; the interior has not been independently measured. Estimated room range.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Floor area18,900 sq ftverified; DC CAMA living gross building area (LIVING_GBA), building 1, section 1; building attribution inferred
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Site area77,000 sq ftverified; Shared estate total: 2147/0059. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
2026 Value$14.4Mverified; Shared estate total: 2147/0059. Active 2026 DC ITSPE ASSESSMENT; land plus improvements. Not proposed value, tax owed, sale price or leasehold value.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Diplomatic use1934verified; The State Department Diplomatic List, November 1934, p. 23, lists Ambassador Oswaldo Aranha, Madame Aranha and Counselor C. de Freitas-Valle at 3000 Massachusetts Avenue; the chancery is separately listed at 2437 Fifteenth Street. This proves residential diplomatic use during 1934 and does not rely solely on the September 1934 purchase.
  1. archive.org

Complete property record

Historic Moments

Recognition in Washington

1824-05-26

President James Monroe received José Silvestre Rebello as Brazil’s chargé d’affaires, establishing diplomatic relations with the newly independent country.

Root addresses the American republics

1906-07-31

Secretary of State Elihu Root visits Brazil and addresses the Pan-American conference in Rio de Janeiro. He calls for closer cooperation and respect for the equal rights of American states.

A wartime alliance

1942

On 3 March 1942, Brazil and the United States signed a mutual aid agreement in Washington, expanding wartime defense supply cooperation. Brazil later sent its Expeditionary Force to the Allied campaign in Italy.

Washington backs a coup

1964-03-31

As Brazilian officers move against President João Goulart, Washington prepares fuel, ammunition, and naval support. The military takeover begins a dictatorship that lasts until 1985.

The military agreements rupture

1977

Brazil renounced the 1952 military assistance agreement in March and moved to end further military arrangements in September, amid a dispute over human rights and national sovereignty.

A joint commitment on climate

2015-06-30

Barack Obama and Dilma Rousseff announce joint climate commitments before the Paris negotiations. Their plans include renewable electricity, forest restoration, and closer scientific cooperation.

Chiefs of Mission

DiplomatOfficeRecorded serviceStatus
Fernando de Oliveira SenaChargé d’affaires2026 (documented service)Former
Bernardo Paranhos VellosoChargé d’affaires2023 (documented service)Former
Nestor ForsterAmbassador2020–2023Former
Nestor José Forster JuniorChargé d’affaires22 September–6 October 2020Former
Bernardo Paranhos VellosoChargé d’affaires8–22 September 2020Former
Nestor José Forster JuniorChargé d’affaires1 August–8 September 2020Former
Bernardo Paranhos VellosoChargé d’affaires27 July–1 August 2020Former
Nestor José Forster JuniorChargé d’affaires2020Former
Fernando Meirelles de Azevedo PimentelChargé d’affaires9–21 February 2020Former
Nestor José Forster JuniorChargé d’affaires17 January–9 February 2020Former
Fernando Meirelles de Azevedo PimentelChargé d’affaires10–17 January 2020Former
Nestor José Forster JuniorChargé d’affaires2019–2020Former
Bernardo Paranhos VellosoChargé d’affaires8–11 July 2019Former
Fernando Meirelles de Azevedo PimentelChargé d’affaires1–8 July 2019Former
Nestor José Forster JuniorChargé d’affaires27 June–1 July 2019Former
Fernando Meirelles de Azevedo PimentelChargé d’affaires3–27 June 2019Former
Sérgio AmaralAmbassador2016–2019Former
Luiz Alberto FigueiredoAmbassador2015–2016Former
Benoni BelliChargé d’affaires30 March–7 May 2015Former
Ernesto Henrique Fraga AraújoChargé d’affaires2014–2015Former
Mauro VieiraAmbassador2010–2014Former
Carlos Ricardo Martins CegliaChargé d’affaires2009–2010Former
Antonio PatriotaAmbassador2007–2009Former
Carlos Alfredo Lazary TeixeiraChargé d’affaires5–21 February 2007Former
Evandro de Sampaio DidonetChargé d’affaires29 January–5 February 2007Former
Roberto AbdenurAmbassador2004–2007Former
Rubens Antonio BarbosaAmbassador1999–2004Former
Maria Stela Pompeu Brasil FrotaChargé d’affaires26 May–11 June 1999Former
Paulo Tarso Flecha de LimaAmbassador1993–1999Former
Rubens RicuperoAmbassador1991–1993Former
Joaquim Luís Cardoso PalmeiroChargé d’affaires1991Former
Marcílio Marques MoreiraAmbassador1986–1991Former
José Artur Denot MedeirosChargé d’affaires1986 (documented beginning)Former
Sérgio Corrêa da CostaAmbassador1983–1986Former
Renato Prado GuimarãesChargé d’affaires1 August–4 September 1983Former
Antônio Francisco Azeredo da SilveiraAmbassador1979–1983Former
João Batista PinheiroAmbassador1976–1979Former
Celso DinizChargé d’affaires1975–1976Former
João Augusto de Araújo CastroAmbassador1971–1975Former
Celso DinizChargé d’affaires1970–1971Former
Mozart Gurgel Valente JuniorAmbassador1970Former
Celso DinizChargé d’affaires1969–1970Former
Mário Gibson Alves BarbozaAmbassador1969Former
Jorge de Sá AlmeidaChargé d’affaires1968–1969Former
Vasco Tristão Leitão da CunhaAmbassador1966–1968Former
Jorge de Carvalho e SilvaChargé d’affaires1965–1966Former
Juracy Montenegro MagalhãesAmbassador1964–1965Former
Jorge de Carvalho e SilvaChargé d’affaires1964Former
Roberto de Oliveira CamposAmbassador1961–1964Former
Carlos Fernando Leckie LoboChargé d’affaires13 September–5 October 1961Former
Carlos Alfredo BernardesChargé d’affaires1960–1961Former
Walther Moreira SallesAmbassador1959–1961Former
Henrique Rodrigues ValleChargé d’affaires2–9 July 1959Former
Maury Gurgel ValenteChargé d’affaires20 June–1 July 1959Former
Henrique Rodrigues ValleChargé d’affaires19 May–19 June 1959Former
Ernani do Amaral PeixotoAmbassador1956–1959Former
Adolpho de Camargo NevesChargé d’affaires13–16 July 1956Former
João Carlos MunizAmbassador1953–1956Former
Sylvio Ribeiro de CarvalhoChargé d’affaires1953Former
Walther Moreira SallesAmbassador1952–1953Former
Afrânio de Mello Franco FilhoChargé d’affaires1951–1952Former
Maurício NabucoAmbassador1948–1951Former
Octávio do Nascimento BritoChargé d’affaires21 April–17 May 1948Former
Carlos Martins Pereira e SouzaAmbassador1939–1948Former
Mário da Costa GuimarãesChargé d’affaires1939Former
Mário de Pimentel BrandãoAmbassador1938–1939Former
Fernando Lobo Leite Pereira FilhoChargé d’affaires1937–1938Former
Oswaldo AranhaAmbassador1934–1937Former
Cyro de Freitas ValleChargé d’affaires1934Former
Hildebrando Pompeu Pinto AcciolyChargé d’affaires1934Former
Rinaldo de Lima e SilvaAmbassador1931–1934Former
Silvino Gurgel do AmaralAmbassador1925–1931Former
Samuel de Souza Leão GracieChargé d’affaires1925Former
Augusto Cochrane de AlencarAmbassador1920–1925Former
Alberto Jorge de Ipanema MoreiraChargé d’affaires1918–1920Former
Domício da GamaAmbassador1911–1918Former
Rinaldo de Lima e SilvaChargé d’affaires1910–1911Former
Epaminondas Leite ChermontChargé d’affaires18 January–4 February 1910Former
Joaquim NabucoAmbassador1905–1910Former
Alfredo de Moraes Gomes FerreiraMinister1904–1905Former
Rinaldo de Lima e SilvaChargé d’affaires23 April–13 May 1903Former
Alfredo de Moraes Gomes FerreiraChargé d’affaires1903–1904Former
Joaquim Francisco de Assis do BrasilMinister1898–1903Former
Manuel de Oliveira LimaChargé d’affaires19 May–5 June 1898Former
Salvador Furtado de Mendonça DrummondMinister1889–1898Former
José Gurgel do Amaral ValenteMinister1889Former
José Augusto Ferreira da CostaChargé d’affaires1888–1889Former
Marcos Antônio de Araújo e AbreuMinister1885–1888Former
Napoleão de Siqueira LamaixChargé d’affaires11 August–5 September 1883Former
José Gurgel do Amaral ValenteChargé d’affaires1883–1885Former
Felippe Lopes NetoMinister1881–1883Former
Benjamin Franklin Torreão de BarrosChargé d’affaires1880–1881Former
Antônio Pedro de Carvalho BorgesMinister1871–1880Former
Luiz Augusto de Pádua FleuryChargé d’affaires1870–1871Former
Luiz Augusto de Pádua FleuryChargé d’affaires1867Former
Domingos José Gonçalves de MagalhãesMinister1867–1870Former
Henrique Cavalcanti de AlbuquerqueChargé d’affaires1867Former
Joaquim Maria Nascentes de AzambujaMinister1865–1867Former
Ignacio de Avellar Barbosa da SilvaChargé d’affaires1864–1865Former
Luiz Augusto de Pádua FleuryChargé d’affaires28 April–27 May 1864Former
Miguel Maria LisboaMinister1859–1864Former
Antônio Pedro de Carvalho BorgesChargé d’affaires1858–1859Former
José Francisco de Paula Cavalcante de AlbuquerqueMinister1856–1858Former
Francisco Xavier da Costa Aguiar de AndradaChargé d’affaires1855–1856Former
Luiz Pereira SodréChargé d’affaires1852Former
Francisco Ignácio de Carvalho MoreiraMinister1851–1855Former
Antônio José Duarte de Araújo GondimChargé d’affaires1851Former
Sérgio Teixeira de MacedoMinister1849–1851Former
Felippe José Pereira LealChargé d’affaires1847–1849Former
Gaspar José LisboaMinister1841–1847Former
Joaquim Maria Nascentes de AzambujaChargé d’affaires1840–1841Former
Pedro Rodrigues Fernandes ChavesChargé d’affaires1839–1840Former
Ernesto Ferreira FrançaMinister1838–1839Former
José Marques LisboaChargé d’affaires1837–1838Former
José Francisco de Paula Cavalcante de AlbuquerqueChargé d’affaires1833–1837Former
José de Araújo RibeiroChargé d’affaires1829–1833Former
José Silvestre RebelloChargé d’affaires1824–1829Former
Maria Luiza Ribeiro ViottiAmbassador2023–PresentCurrent