Embassy of the Italian Republic
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Interpretive architectural study of the catalogued property.
3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC
A limestone palazzo with copper roofs, a glazed diagonal passage and a ceremonial door facing Massachusetts Avenue.
| Fact | Value | Basis and sources |
|---|---|---|
| Constructed | 2000 | verified Official mission and architect say completed/inaugurated 2000; CFA says built 2001; CAMA AYB 2002 is administrative average-year field. Prefer mission 2000 with conflict in notes. |
| Acquired by Italy | 1971–1972 | qualified Greater Greater Washington history says 1971 press reported purchase of a $1 million 5 acre parcel; Wikipedia states 1972 purchase from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Current DC sale/deed fields empty. Official 2014 book confirms land already Italian in 1986, but not exact acquisition date. Do not substitute inauguration 2000 for land acquisition. |
| Neighborhood | Observatory Circle | verified |
| Architect | Sartogo, Grenon & Nobili | verified Piero Sartogo, Nathalie Grenon and Susanna Nobili; associated engineering by Leo A. Daly |
| Rooms | 100–160 est. | estimated Broad functional-room estimate: four office floors around a central rotunda; approximately 20–30 enclosed offices and support spaces per upper floor, plus public reception, consular, cultural and lower service rooms. Corridors and open atrium excluded. No measured room inventory; low confidence. |
| Floor area | 181,600 sq ft | verified; Recorded DC CAMA building area; preserve the source field and building scope. |
| Site area | 214,100 sq ft | verified; Parcel total: 2155/0813. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded. |
| 2026 Value | $88.2M | verified; Parcel total: 2155/0813. Active 2026 DC ITSPE ASSESSMENT; land plus improvements. Not proposed value, tax owed, sale price or leasehold value. |
Scope and Evidence
Greater Greater Washington history says 1971 press reported purchase of a $1 million 5 acre parcel; Wikipedia states 1972 purchase from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Current DC sale/deed fields empty. Official 2014 book confirms land already Italian in 1986, but not exact acquisition date. Do not substitute inauguration 2000 for land acquisition.
- ambwashingtondc.esteri.it
- baldi.diplomacy.edu
- en.wikipedia.org
- ggwash.org
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- www.sartogoarchitetti.it
Research Questions
Where Is Embassy of the Italian Republic?
3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC.
When Was Embassy of the Italian Republic Built?
Constructed: 2000. Record status: verified. Official mission and architect say completed/inaugurated 2000; CFA says built 2001; CAMA AYB 2002 is administrative average-year field. Prefer mission 2000 with conflict in notes.
Who Designed Embassy of the Italian Republic?
Architect: Sartogo, Grenon & Nobili. Record status: verified. Piero Sartogo, Nathalie Grenon and Susanna Nobili; associated engineering by Leo A. Daly
What Is the Floor Area of Embassy of the Italian Republic?
Floor area: 181,600 sq ft. Record status: verified. Recorded DC CAMA building area; preserve the source field and building scope. Verified in the record on 2026-10-24.
What Is the Site Area of Embassy of the Italian Republic?
Site area: 214,100 sq ft. Record status: verified. Parcel total: 2155/0813. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded. Verified in the record on 2026-10-24.
What Is the 2026 Value of Embassy of the Italian Republic?
2026 Value: $88.2M. Record status: verified. Parcel total: 2155/0813. 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.