CHANCERIESTHE DIPLOMATIC ATLAS

Walsh–McLean House

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

2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC

Thomas F. Walsh commissioned this house from architect Henry Andersen. The construction permit was issued in October 1901, and his daughter Evalyn later recalled the family moving in during autumn 1903. Its use changed after the family left: federal resettlement and rural electrification agencies occupied it in the 1930s, followed by the Washington chapter of the American Red Cross during and after the Second World War. [1]

A deed dated December 19, 1951 transferred the property to the Republic of Indonesia; it was recorded on January 2, 1952. The Historic American Buildings Survey’s directory chronology begins Indonesian chancery occupation in 1952. [1]

During renovation in 2026, the embassy announced a temporary move to offices at 1120 20th Street NW from June 2. It retained the Massachusetts Avenue house as its mailing address. [2]

Diplomatic Use

Changes to the Property

  • Construction permit issued: 1901-10-16 [1]
  • Walsh family moved in: 1903. Autumn; the month is not established. [1]
  • Purchase deed dated: 1951-12-19 [1]
  • Deed recorded: 1952-01-02 [1]
  • Temporary office move announced: 2026-06-02 [2]

2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

The Walsh–McLean House and its modern P Street wing are joined by a curved glazed passage beside the oval conservatory. During renovation, embassy offices temporarily moved to 1120 20th Street NW on 2 June 2026; mail remains addressed here.

FactValueBasis and sources
Constructed1903documented; Historic mansion: construction range. HABS records the 1901 excavation permit and occupation in 1903. The commercial assessor’s AYB 1900 and EYB 1987 do not replace this chronology. The modern wing dates to 1982.
  1. tile.loc.gov
Acquired by Indonesia19 December 1951documented; Deed date; separate from first chancery use. Recorded 2 January 1952. Historical purchase price: $335,000. Current assessment is listed separately.
  1. tile.loc.gov
NeighborhoodDupont Circledocumented; Historic neighborhood; assessment geography differs. DC tax records label the assessment neighborhood Central.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  2. tile.loc.gov
ArchitectHenry Andersendocumented; Mansion architect. The modern wing was designed by The Architects Collaborative.
  1. seasia.co
  2. tile.loc.gov
RoomsMore than 50 (historic)documented; Historic mansion count; no current campus-wide room inventory. The present total for both buildings remains unverified.
  1. tile.loc.gov
Floor area48,800 sq ftverified; DC commercial CAMA LIVING_GBA, building 1, section 1; square feet; no per-wing allocation published.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Site area26,000 sq ftverified; Parcel total: 0095/0045. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
2026 Value$29.4Mverified; Parcel total: 0095/0045. Active 2026 DC ITSPE ASSESSMENT; land plus improvements. Not proposed value, tax owed, sale price or leasehold value.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov

Scope and Evidence

The mansion’s diplomatic occupation begins in the 1952 directory chronology. Its December 1951 purchase is a separate event.

The modern 1982 wing and its curved glazed link form part of the same chancery campus. The oval blue-roofed conservatory is attached to the mansion; the narrow passage immediately south of it connects the two buildings. The west carriage porch is a separate feature.

The Embassy’s current consular notice announces temporary operation at Lafayette Center, Building 1, North Entrance, 10th floor, 1120 20th Street NW, from 2 June 2026. It retains 2020 Massachusetts Avenue as the mailing address. The leased floor provides temporary offices and is excluded from the owned-property database.

The display ground follows a compact irregular crop around the campus. DC parcel records include the estate’s P Street extension. The drawing shows a cropped portion of the surroundings.

Saraswati was made in 2013 and ceremonially unveiled on 25 September 2014. The Cabinet Secretariat credits I Nyoman Sudarwa and records 6.35 m total height. The four-armed figure, swan, lotus and three reading children follow the supplied photographs.

  1. consular.embassyofindonesia.org
  2. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  3. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  4. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  5. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  6. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  7. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  8. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
  9. seasia.co
  10. setkab.go.id
  11. tile.loc.gov
  12. www.loc.gov

Research Questions

Where Is Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia?

2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Sources and basis

When Was Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Built?

Constructed: 1903. Record status: documented. Historic mansion: construction range. HABS records the 1901 excavation permit and occupation in 1903. The commercial assessor’s AYB 1900 and EYB 1987 do not replace this chronology. The modern wing dates to 1982. Verified in the record on 2026-10-23.

Sources and basis

Who Designed Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia?

Architect: Henry Andersen. Record status: documented. Mansion architect. The modern wing was designed by The Architects Collaborative. Verified in the record on 2026-10-23.

Sources and basis

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

Floor area: 48,800 sq ft. Record status: verified. DC commercial CAMA LIVING_GBA, building 1, section 1; square feet; no per-wing allocation published. Verified in the record on 2026-10-24.

Sources and basis

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

Site area: 26,000 sq ft. Record status: verified. Parcel total: 0095/0045. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded. Verified in the record on 2026-10-24.

Sources and basis

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

2026 Value: $29.4M. Record status: verified. Parcel total: 0095/0045. Active 2026 DC ITSPE ASSESSMENT; land plus improvements. Not proposed value, tax owed, sale price or leasehold value. This is a tax assessment, not a verified sale price or market valuation. Verified in the record on 2026-10-24.

Sources and basis

Sources

  1. Walsh–McLean House (Indonesian Embassy), HABS DC-266

    PDF page 4 (printed HABS page 3): deed; PDF page 6 (printed HABS page 5): permits and erection; PDF page 8 (printed HABS page 7): occupancy chronology.

  2. Informasi Umum: temporary embassy operation during renovation

    Notice near top of page; mailing address section

  3. Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
  4. Embassy building history, reproduced by Seasia

    Article explicitly attributes its historical account to the Indonesian Embassy in Washington. Names Ali Sastroamidjojo as purchaser on behalf of Indonesia on 19 December 1951; Ashari Danudirdjo as inaugurator of the annex in June 1982; Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti as the person who renamed the Presidents’ Room in October 1999. Reproduction attributed to the Indonesian Embassy.

  5. Cabinet Secretariat: unveiling of Saraswati in Washington
  6. DC owner polygon and tax-roll record: SSL 0095/0045
  7. Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
  8. Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
  9. Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
  10. Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
  11. Property audit: Embassy of Indonesia Chancery — 2026 Value
  12. Property audit: Embassy of Indonesia Chancery — Floor area

Notes

  • The HABS directory chronology ends in 1972 because that is the survey’s coverage limit, not an established departure date.

Related Reading

Cite This Article

Walsh–McLean House. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record version cfb004931f7766e86582.

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