Holland & Knight Land Use Attorneys Help Commonwealth of Australia Secure Approval of Proposed New Embassy Building

WASHINGTON (September 13, 2017) – Holland & Knight successfully represented the Commonwealth of Australia before the Foreign Missions Board of Zoning Adjustment to secure approval for its proposed new embassy building in Washington, D.C. The project was approved by a unanimous vote at a public hearing today.

The 120,000 square foot, environmentally sensitive building will be constructed 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.

Construction on the new embassy building is scheduled to begin in October 2019, with an expected completion date of November 2021.

Holland & Knight’s representation of the Commonwealth of Australia in this matter 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, including 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.