CHANCERIESTHE DIPLOMATIC ATLAS

Embassy of the Argentine Republic

View the architectural study
Interpretive architectural study of the catalogued property.

1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

A Private House Becomes a Diplomatic Address

Argentina bought the furnished Huff house at 1600 New Hampshire Avenue on February 20, 1913. The purchase from Henrietta Huff included the rear stables as well as the house and its contents. Commissioned in 1906 and begun in 1907, the house has served the embassy since 1913. [1] [3]

The embassy credits Horace Trumbauer and Julian Abele with the design. Abele graduated in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1902 and returned to Trumbauer’s Philadelphia practice in 1906, shortly before construction began. He became its chief designer in 1909. [2] [4]

Enlarging the House for Diplomatic Use

In 1913–1914, Washington architect Clarke Waggaman prepared a scheme for a ballroom and billiard room. He also designed a fountain, a roof garden, and architectural ornament. His commission included heating and ventilation drawings and specifications, alongside plans, elevations, and renderings. [5]

The Oval Hall remained part of the working chancery in 2024, when the embassy invited bids to repair and repaint it. The specifications called for repairs around plaster and wooden decoration, two coats of light blue paint matching the existing ceiling, and painting of damaged ornamental woodwork. Contractors were to supply scaffolding and protection for work at height, then dismantle the equipment and remove debris. [6]

Limestone, slate and an angled corner entrance give the former Huff house its French character. Argentina bought the furnished house in February 1913. The curved Oval Hall extends behind the main block, beside an open entrance court.

FactValueBasis and sources
Constructedc. 1907verified Commissioned in 1906; construction began in 1907. The embassy describes the house as six years old at the 1913 purchase. Completion day is unverified.
  1. eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar
  2. eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar
Acquired by Argentina20 February 1913verified Purchase from Henrietta Huff included furniture and rear stables.
  1. eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar
NeighborhoodDupont Circleverified
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ArchitectHorace Trumbauer; Julian Abeleverified
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Rooms≈60 rooms (est.)estimated; About 27,000 sq ft gross × 65% usable room area ÷ 300 sq ft average per enclosed room ≈59, rounded to 60. Larger reception halls offset smaller offices and service rooms; plausible range 45–70. Estimated enclosed rooms, including bathrooms, kitchens and service rooms; excludes corridors, stairs and closets. Counts enclosed rooms of all functions.
  1. eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar
  2. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Floor area≈27,000 sq ftestimated; Modeled main footprint ≈581 m² × three full levels, plus ≈366 m² within the mansard, ≈310 m² across the lower rear hall and its service level after allowing for overlap, and ≈64 m² across the narrow return. Total ≈2,480 m², rounded to 27,000 sq ft. No additional full-footprint basement is assumed. Approximate gross floor area, rounded from footprint and floor-count assumptions; allow ±20%.
  1. eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar
  2. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Site area9,080 sq ftverified DC parcel 0134 0145; excludes adjoining properties and parking.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
2026 Value$20,357,320verified CY1YEAR 2026, ASSESSMENT field for parcel 0134 0145. Tax assessment.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov

Scope and Evidence

The exterior combines the DC footprint, the embassy plan and the supplied street and aerial photographs. Heights, roof details, and concealed elevations are approximate.

The Oval Hall has a documented 15.60 × 9.00 m interior and 25-foot ceiling. Its December 2019 photographic study appears with the portrait salon and dining room under Rooms.

  1. eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar
  2. eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar
  3. eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar
  4. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  5. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  6. www.flickr.com

Research Questions

Where Is Embassy of the Argentine Republic?

1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009.

Sources and basis

When Was Embassy of the Argentine Republic Built?

Constructed: c. 1907. Record status: verified. Commissioned in 1906; construction began in 1907. The embassy describes the house as six years old at the 1913 purchase. Completion day is unverified. Verified in the record on 2026-10-25.

Sources and basis

Who Designed Embassy of the Argentine Republic?

Architect: Horace Trumbauer; Julian Abele. Record status: verified. Verified in the record on 2026-10-25.

Sources and basis

What Is the Floor Area of Embassy of the Argentine Republic?

Floor area: ≈27,000 sq ft. Record status: estimated. Modeled main footprint ≈581 m² × three full levels, plus ≈366 m² within the mansard, ≈310 m² across the lower rear hall and its service level after allowing for overlap, and ≈64 m² across the narrow return. Total ≈2,480 m², rounded to 27,000 sq ft. No additional full-footprint basement is assumed. Approximate gross floor area, rounded from footprint and floor-count assumptions; allow ±20%. Verified in the record on 2026-10-26.

Sources and basis

What Is the Site Area of Embassy of the Argentine Republic?

Site area: 9,080 sq ft. Record status: verified. DC parcel 0134 0145; excludes adjoining properties and parking. Verified in the record on 2026-10-25.

Sources and basis

What Is the 2026 Value of Embassy of the Argentine Republic?

2026 Value: $20,357,320. Record status: verified. CY1YEAR 2026, ASSESSMENT field for parcel 0134 0145. Tax assessment. This is a tax assessment, not a verified sale price or market valuation. Verified in the record on 2026-10-25.

Sources and basis

Sources

  1. Embassy: building and former owner

    Existing canonical fact and source mapping

  2. Embassy: architects

    Existing canonical fact and source mapping

  3. Our Building’s History

    Opening paragraph and contact address

  4. Julian Francis Abele, 1881–1950

    Penn Connection; paragraphs on 1902 graduation, return in 1906, and chief designer in 1909

  5. Architectural drawings for the addition of a ballroom and billiard room to the Argentine Embassy, 1600 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

    Waggaman & Ray Archive; ADE UNIT 78; commission 46; catalogue item 95858337; 10 items, 1913–1914

  6. Painting and refurbishing of the Oval Hall: File 143/2024, direct contract 109/2024

    PDF pp. 1, 8–9: purpose, scope, and technical specifications; p. 10 plan sheet not visually interpreted

  7. DC common-ownership parcel layer
  8. Property audit: Embassy of Japan Chancery — Floor area
  9. Photo

Notes

  • Waggaman’s 1913–1914 commission establishes an addition scheme; completion of every proposed feature is unconfirmed.

Related Reading

Cite This Article

Embassy of the Argentine Republic. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record version ea0a81807a75c30b3192.

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