Politics

Former residence of Irish ambassador in Washington DC goes on sale

Nine-bedroom mansion estimated to be worth more than €3.7m

A department spokeswoman confirmed the decision to dispose of the property. Photograph: Google Maps
A department spokeswoman confirmed the decision to dispose of the property. Photograph: Google Maps
Darragh McDonagh
Fri Sept 29 2023 - 13:09

The Department of Foreign Affairs is selling the former residence of the Irish ambassador in Washington DC, with the nine-bedroom mansion estimated to be worth more than €3.7 million.

The 721 sq m (7,763 sq ft) property was the official residence of Ireland’s ambassador to the United States but was vacated in 2021 after a health and safety report identified “significant issues” with the building.

Since then, the department has been renting a nine-bedroom, 13-bathroom mansion with a pool for the ambassador at 2221 30th Street, which was the most expensive property listing in the US capital when it was put on the market for $18.5 million in 2021.

A department spokeswoman confirmed the decision to dispose of the property at 2244 S Street following a review of the State’s “property footprint” in Washington DC. It has begun a process of acquiring new official accommodation in the city.

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“A comprehensive review has been completed which has concluded that disposing of the property is the most economically beneficial option,” she said.

An estate agent will now be appointed to manage the sale and will be paid a fee in the region of €380,000 for their services, according to a tender advertised by the department earlier this week.

The department revealed this year that the 2244 S Street property, built in 1924 for the uncle of US president Franklin D Roosevelt, required significant renovation work to address a number of safety issues.

It was subsequently vacated and the 1370 sq m (14,750 sq ft) property at 2221 30th Street has since been rented for use as the official residence of Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, as well as a promotional space for hosting events promoting trade, cultural and economic relations.

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The department has not revealed how much it is paying to rent the luxury property, which is located in an area of the US capital known as Embassy Row. It was previously described by the Washington Post as having “more marble than a Vegas penthouse suite”.

The department also owns the Irish embassy at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, which was purchased by the State in 1949.