Press Release
November 15, 2016

Holland & Knight Land Use Attorneys Advise Commonwealth of Australia on New Embassy in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON (November 15, 2016) – Holland & Knight is providing zoning and land use services for the Commonwealth of Australia’s proposed replacement of its 50-year-old embassy building in Washington, D.C. The design for the new embassy was unveiled today by the Australian government. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2019, with an expected completion date of November 2021.

The 120,000 square foot, environmentally sensitive building will be built on the existing embassy site located along Massachusetts Avenue in the easternmost portion of Embassy Row and is within the 16th Street Historic District. The current structure was built in the 1960s and enlarged in the 1970s. It is one of the largest chancery office buildings in Washington.

Holland & Knight’s representation covers all aspects of land use, including zoning, historic preservation and public space, and involves interaction with the U.S. Department of State and a host of city agencies and community organizations, as well as public hearings before the Foreign Missions Board of Zoning Adjustment.

The Holland & Knight team is led by partner Christopher Collins and includes associate Jessica Bloomfield and Shane Dettman, director of planning services for the firm’s land use and government practice.

Holland & Knight attorneys have represented more foreign governments on land use issues in the District of Columbia than any other law firm.

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