Japanese Ambassador’s Residence
View the architectural study
Interpretive architectural study of the catalogued property.
4000 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Isoya Yoshida’s residence extends across a separate Nebraska Avenue estate. White modern wings meet a lower timber passage and tea pavilion beside a garden pond.
| Fact | Value | Basis and sources |
|---|---|---|
| Constructed | 1977 | verified DC’s Ward 3 Heritage Guide gives 1974–77. Contemporary reporting describes work beginning in 1973 and occupancy in August 1977; completion is shown as 1977. |
| Acquired by Japan | By 1974 (site) | estimated The Ward 3 Heritage Guide dates the purpose-built residence to 1974–1977. The site was in diplomatic use by construction; the land transfer date has not been located. Latest possible acquisition year; the exact year remains unresolved. |
| Neighborhood | American University Park | verified |
| Architect | Isoya Yoshida | verified |
| Rooms | 45–80 est. | estimated; Editorial program estimate for the 45,384 sq ft purpose-built residence: 10–18 reception/ceremonial rooms, 15–27 family/guest rooms and 20–35 kitchen, service and staff rooms. Excludes circulation, bathrooms and detached garden structures. Large ceremonial spaces prevent applying the office-building room density; allocations are assumptions. Estimated room total; a complete room inventory is unavailable. |
| Floor area | 45,400 sq ft | verified; Residential CAMA GBA; record scope caveat |
| Estate area | 329,174 sq ft | verified; ITSPE LANDAREA, square feet, SSL 1640 0809. |
| 2026 Value | $59.4M | verified; Parcel total: 1640/0809. Active 2026 DC ITSPE ASSESSMENT; land plus improvements. Not proposed value, tax owed, sale price or leasehold value. |
| Site area | 329,200 sq ft | verified; Parcel total: 1640/0809. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded. |
Scope and Evidence
The model uses the Japan-owned parcel only. The red-roofed neighboring house to the southwest is outside it.
The pond-side timber passage and tea pavilion are part of this residence. These rooms belong to the current residence. The Ippakutei teahouse is at the Massachusetts Avenue compound.
The estate and roof footprints are mapped in metres. Elevations, windows, gardens, and canopies follow photographs and overhead imagery; dimensions are approximate.
The Ward 3 Heritage Guide dates the purpose-built residence to 1974–1977. The site was in diplomatic use by construction; the land transfer date has not been located. Latest possible acquisition year; the exact year remains unresolved.
Estimated room total; a complete room inventory is unavailable.
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- planning.dc.gov
- planning.dc.gov
- planning.dc.gov
Research Questions
Where Is Japanese Ambassador’s Residence?
4000 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC. parcel centroid from DC public geometry in WGS84.
When Was Japanese Ambassador’s Residence Built?
Constructed: 1977. Record status: verified. DC’s Ward 3 Heritage Guide gives 1974–77. Contemporary reporting describes work beginning in 1973 and occupancy in August 1977; completion is shown as 1977. Record reviewed on 2026-10-21.
Who Designed Japanese Ambassador’s Residence?
Architect: Isoya Yoshida. Record status: verified. Record reviewed on 2026-10-21.
What Is the Floor Area of Japanese Ambassador’s Residence?
Floor area: 45,400 sq ft. Record status: verified. Residential CAMA GBA; record scope caveat Verified in the record on 2026-10-24.
What Is the 2026 Value of Japanese Ambassador’s Residence?
2026 Value: $59.4M. Record status: verified. Parcel total: 1640/0809. 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.
What Is the Site Area of Japanese Ambassador’s Residence?
Site area: 329,200 sq ft. Record status: verified. Parcel total: 1640/0809. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded. Verified in the record on 2026-10-24.