The Chancery

The Chancery is the Embassy's office building. It is located on the western edge of Georgetown in Washington. Along with the Ambassador's Residence and the old residence, it is situated on just over nine acres at the corner of Foxhall and Reservoir roads.

Architect Egon Eiermann received the commission in 1958 and aimed to design a structure intricately related to its function as well as to the terrain and surroundings. It was not an easy task, as the neighborhood is purely residential and the relatively small, sloping plot had to accommodate a building with 140 offices, an auditorium and a parking area. The building, completed in 1964, achieves an overall harmonious effect.

Facts and Figures

• Groundbreaking - January 16, 1962
• Official opening - May 11, 1964
• Architect - Professor Egon Eiermann
• Total cost, including garage and landscaping - $3 million
• While most of the construction materials, like Oregon pine, are from the US, the window frames, ceramic floor tiles, some elevator parts and all of the furniture come from Germany.
• An auditorium on the ground floor seats 200 people.

Design

• The building's narrow end faces the street, so as not to intrude on the surrounding area with a long façade.
• The building's six stories are staggered to conform to the land's natural slope.
• Steel beams and grill "balconies" on the exterior are an integral part of the design.

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The Chancery

"May this house not only be an embassy, but have a mission as well."
Professor Egon Eiermann, Architect

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The Chancery
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