Egyptian Ambassador’s Residence
View the architectural study
Interpretive architectural study of the catalogued property.
2301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Glenn Brown designed this house for Joseph Beale, and Egypt acquired it in 1928. Its curved facade faces Sheridan Circle; a circular sitting room and a columned loggia organize the formal reception floor.
| Fact | Value | Basis and sources |
|---|---|---|
| Constructed | 1907–1909 | verified; HABS DC-257 gives construction begun April 1907 and completed in 1909; permit 3327 was issued April 23, 1907. Original house only. Current CAMA AYB 2005 does not date the original building. |
| Diplomatic use | 1928 | verified; The Embassy identifies the house as its official residence since 1928. HABS directories first explicitly list the legation in 1930; acquisition is independently dated November 1928. |
| Acquired by Egypt | 1928 | verified; HABS DC-257 cites a deed dated November 19, 1928, recorded November 27, conveying lots 61 and 62 in square 2516 to the Egyptian government for $150,000. |
| Neighborhood | Kalorama | verified; DC ITSPE neighborhood for the main house and adjoining rear parcel. |
| Architect | Glenn Brown | verified; Original architect Glenn Brown; John H. Nolan was the builder. Restoration undertaken 1999–2002; no restoration architect verified. |
| Rooms | 18–47 | estimated; Ambassadorial residence with substantial ceremonial rooms and domestic/service spaces: approximately 18–47 counted rooms under the stated floor-area assumptions. This is not a surveyed inventory. |
| Floor area | 23,100 sq ft | verified; Estate total: main-house parcel 2516 0062 LIVING_GBA 15,160 sq ft plus rear parcel 2516 0061 LIVING_GBA 7,890 sq ft. The figure is not the Beale House alone. |
| Site area | 11,800 sq ft | verified; Estate total: 7,406 sq ft on 2516 0062 plus 4,361 sq ft on 2516 0061. HABS records both parcels in the 1928 acquisition. Roads, sidewalk, and unrelated neighboring lots excluded. |
| 2026 Value | $18.1M | verified; Current 2026 assessment of both estate parcels: 12,020,143 plus 6,115,300. Combined land 4,147,170 plus improvements 13,988,273. Proposed NEWTOTAL values not used. |
Scope and Evidence
Estate figures combine the main house at 2301 Massachusetts Avenue and the rear parcel at 2310 Decatur Place. Main-house figures alone are 15,160 sq ft of building area, 7,406 sq ft of land, and a $12,020,143 current 2026 assessment.
The rear building at 2310 Decatur Place served as Egypt’s chancery, documented in the 1990 World Factbook. Its 7,890 sq ft floor area is included once in this estate total. Its current internal use and complete geometry are not independently verified.
HABS identifies a 1907–1909 building, John H. Nolan as builder, and the 1928 deed. The official residence tour dates a restoration campaign to 1999–2002.
The house’s official account gives diplomatic use from 1928; HABS directory evidence lists it as vacant through 1929 and as the Egyptian legation from 1930.
Research Questions
Where Is Egyptian Ambassador’s Residence?
2301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008. DC UBI main-house footprint centroid, OBJECTID 91070.
When Was Egyptian Ambassador’s Residence Built?
Constructed: 1907–1909. Record status: verified. HABS DC-257 gives construction begun April 1907 and completed in 1909; permit 3327 was issued April 23, 1907. Original house only. Current CAMA AYB 2005 does not date the original building. Verified in the record on 2026-10-29.
Who Designed Egyptian Ambassador’s Residence?
Architect: Glenn Brown. Record status: verified. Original architect Glenn Brown; John H. Nolan was the builder. Restoration undertaken 1999–2002; no restoration architect verified. Verified in the record on 2026-10-29.
What Is the Floor Area of Egyptian Ambassador’s Residence?
Floor area: 23,100 sq ft. Record status: verified. Estate total: main-house parcel 2516 0062 LIVING_GBA 15,160 sq ft plus rear parcel 2516 0061 LIVING_GBA 7,890 sq ft. The figure is not the Beale House alone. Verified in the record on 2026-10-29.
What Is the Site Area of Egyptian Ambassador’s Residence?
Site area: 11,800 sq ft. Record status: verified. Estate total: 7,406 sq ft on 2516 0062 plus 4,361 sq ft on 2516 0061. HABS records both parcels in the 1928 acquisition. Roads, sidewalk, and unrelated neighboring lots excluded. Verified in the record on 2026-10-29.
What Is the 2026 Value of Egyptian Ambassador’s Residence?
2026 Value: $18.1M. Record status: verified. Current 2026 assessment of both estate parcels: 12,020,143 plus 6,115,300. Combined land 4,147,170 plus improvements 13,988,273. Proposed NEWTOTAL values not used. This is a tax assessment, not a verified sale price or market valuation. Verified in the record on 2026-10-29.