Soon residents of Washington, D.C., will have the chance to live in a historic building that was the former Italian Embassy.
Mill Creek Residential, a multifamily developer that works throughout the nation, today announced that it acquired the neo-Renaissance building — completed in 1925. Mill Creek Residential will convert the former embassy into luxury apartments.
The building, located at 2700 16th St. NW near the Adams Morgan and U Street Corridor neighborhoods, was designed by Whitney Warren and Charles D. Wetmore. Construction is slated to begin on the building in 2016 and includes an additional nine-story building with two levels of parking and more apartments.
The high-end development will boast a “European cosmopolitan” aesthetic, although it’s unclear if that will include any imported detailing or furnishings.
According to Joe Muffler, development associate for Mill Creek Residential, the decor will have “a distinct feature not found anywhere in the District, importing a ‘Tuscan aesthetic’ to downtown D.C.”
The former Italian Embassy, 2700 16th St. NW. Photo by AgnosticPreachersKid
This building will add to the already plentiful landscape of amenity-packed complexes in the nation’s capital. And unlike most other communities and developments in the metro region, this one has a distinct appeal, according to Sean Caldwell, senior managing director of the Mid-Atlantic Region for Mill Creek Residential.
“The U Street Corridor is one of the fastest-growing submarkets in D.C.,” he says. “To keep pace with the growth of its popularity, the U Street Corridor is in need of more high-quality, Class A apartment housing. The renovated and rehabilitated Italian Embassy will provide exactly what the neighborhood needs with the added benefit of preserving the rich history that provides the foundation for the neighborhood.”
Mill Creek is working with the Historic Preservation Review Board to ensure that everything renovated is up to specific standards and maintains the tradition of the Italian Embassy. The historic facade of the building will remain fully intact, and the original windows, doors and fixtures will be retained.
The grand lobby and staircase, library and dining area, and the courtyard will all be preserved. Additionally, the company plans to renovate the rooms to mimic their original design but will add modern finishes and furniture.
Caldwell believes this development is one of the best renovation opportunities in the entire Washington, D.C., region.
“While the existing structure has fallen into disrepair, our program will redeem the tradition of a once-proud building and offer a luxurious oasis for future residents,” he said.
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