Embassy of Estonia, Washington, D.C. explained

Embassy of Estonia, Washington, D.C.
Ambassador:Kristjan Prikk

Estonian Embassy (Estonian: Eesti Suursaatkond Washingtonis) is the Republic of Estonia's diplomatic mission to the United States. It is located at 2131 Massachusetts Avenue, in Northwest, Washington, D.C., at the intersection with 22nd Street in the Embassy Row neighborhood.[1]

The Republic of Estonia, along with Latvia and Lithuania, maintained a diplomatic mission throughout the years of Soviet domination; the Estonian Consulate General was based in New York City at 9 Rockefeller Plaza. With Estonia's independence in 1991, the legation quickly sought a new home, and in 1994 purchased the expansive rowhouse, which takes advantage of one of Washington's many angled intersections with an entrance through its corner turret, behind a Greek Doric screen.

Building

The building was originally built in 1905 for a wealthy doctor, George W. Barrie, to designs by the partnership of William J. Marsh and Walter G. Peter. It was later home to the Peruvian Embassy and for many years housed the Landon School. One of the more striking buildings on Embassy Row, its purchase was a major coup for the country.

On July 2, 2001 it was severely damaged by a fire caused by faulty wiring. The building was completely refurbished and reopened in 2003.[2]

In 2020 the reconstruction of the embassy began and the building was closed for diplomatic work.[3] The renovation took three years and the embassy building was reopened in November 2023.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Embassy.org: The Embassy of Estonia. www.embassy.org. 12 September 2018.
  2. Web site: Estonian Embassy in Washington. www.estemb.org. 12 September 2018.
  3. Web site: Estonian Embassy in Washington undergoing reconstruction. 28 September 2020. 4 March 2024.
  4. Web site: Estonia's renovated US embassy building reopens. 20 November 2023. 4 March 2024.