Mill Creek to Transform Historic Embassy into Apartments

By Dees Stribling, Contributing Editor

Washington, D.C.—Mill Creek Residential has started the redevelopment of the former Italian Embassy building at 2700 16th, N.W., in Washington, D.C. The structure will be preserved and converted into a 134-unit apartment community, named the Italian Embassy Residences. The firm first acquired the Embassy building in June 2015 for $16.2 million, which is on the border of the Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights neighborhoods.

As part of the redevelopment, Mill Creek will maintain the Neo-Renaissance architecture of the building and construct an adjacent nine-story high-rise with two levels of below-grade parking. The existing building will be renovated to contain a number of the community’s townhouse-style residences, which will face a private courtyard and garden. The building will also include the community’s amenities.

Mill Creek’s designs for redevelopment are set to comply with the guidelines set forth by the Historic Preservation Review Board. The community will consist of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Common amenities will include a resident clubhouse, business center, rooftop terrace, club-quality fitness center and landscaped outdoor terraces.

The original Embassy building was completed in 1925 and designed by Whitney Wetmore and Charles D. Warren, who are also credited with the design of Grand Central Terminal in New York. The Embassy building served as the diplomatic mission of the Italian Republic to the United States until 2002, when a new chancery was developed about two miles away.

“The Italian Embassy will blend the history of this irreplaceable piece of architecture with an elevated distinction of prestige for our residents,” said Joe Muffler, development associate for Mill Creek. The project is being financed by an investment from Rockwood Capital, a privately held real estate investment firm with $9.3 billion in real estate assets under management. Helaba Bank is providing the construction financing for the project.

Mill Creek has been busy this month, breaking ground on Phase II of The View at Waterfront community just last week.