Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
View the architectural study
Interpretive architectural study of the catalogued property.
601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
Completed in 1959 for Peoples Life Insurance, the marble-clad Foggy Bottom building was acquired by Saudi Arabia in 1983. A taller central block joins its long office wings, with monumental entrances facing west and east. The embassy is documented here by February 1985.
| Fact | Value | Basis and sources |
|---|---|---|
| Constructed | 1959 | verified Completed for Peoples Life Insurance Company. DC CAMA lists 1959 as the original year and 1980 as the effective age after improvements. |
| Acquired by Saudi Arabia | 1983 | verified Purchase year; the exact closing date remains unresolved. Embassy use is independently documented by February 1985. |
| Neighborhood | Foggy Bottom | verified |
| Architect | Mills, Petticord & Mills | verified Architect of the original building. HOK designed the 2026 alteration proposal. |
| Rooms | 95–230 est. | estimated; Planning estimate: rooms = building area × room-area fraction ÷ average room size. For this office property, assume 45%–65% of the recorded 86,824 sq ft is enclosed usable room area, with an average 250–400 sq ft per room. The range combines the low fraction with the larger room size and the high fraction with the smaller size, rounded outward to five rooms. Room allocation and average size are assumptions. Covers the recorded building area; the interior has not been independently measured. Estimated room range. |
| Floor area | 86,800 sq ft | verified; DC CAMA living gross building area, building 1 section 1 |
| Site area | 55,900 sq ft | verified; Parcel total: 0019/0823. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded. |
| 2026 Value | $110.4M | verified; Parcel total: 0019/0823. Active 2026 DC ITSPE ASSESSMENT; land plus improvements. Not proposed value, tax owed, sale price or leasehold value. |
Scope and Evidence
A DOJ FARA filing dated 1 February 1985 identifies the embassy at 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW. Documented occupation by that date; the opening date remains unresolved.
The May 2026 Commission of Fine Arts presentation distinguishes existing conditions from proposed exterior changes. Approval of a concept does not establish completion; the drawing follows existing-condition evidence.
The parcel’s 2026 assessed value is $110,445,270. Earlier and proposed assessment fields, sale prices and annual tax are different measures.
- efile.fara.gov
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
- us.saudiembassy.sa
- www.cfa.gov
- www.foggybottomassociation.org
- www.washingtonpost.com
Research Questions
Where Is Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037. Approximate public embassy map point from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
When Was Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Built?
Constructed: 1959. Record status: verified. Completed for Peoples Life Insurance Company. DC CAMA lists 1959 as the original year and 1980 as the effective age after improvements. Record reviewed on 2026-10-23.
Who Designed Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
Architect: Mills, Petticord & Mills. Record status: verified. Architect of the original building. HOK designed the 2026 alteration proposal. Record reviewed on 2026-10-23.
What Is the Floor Area of Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
Floor area: 86,800 sq ft. Record status: verified. DC CAMA living gross building area, building 1 section 1 Verified in the record on 2026-10-24.
What Is the Site Area of Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
Site area: 55,900 sq ft. Record status: verified. Parcel total: 0019/0823. 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 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
2026 Value: $110.4M. Record status: verified. Parcel total: 0019/0823. 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.