The building, located on Massachusetts Avenue in a prestigious area near the White House, the US State Department and Capitol Hill, was acquired for just over USD 20 million.
Previously owned by Johns Hopkins University for its political science department, the multi-story structure will undergo a four-year renovation to adapt it for diplomatic use.
Wroński emphasized the strategic nature of the investment, describing it as a cost-effective acquisition due to falling property prices in the US capital, and a favorable exchange rate for the Polish zloty.
"This is a major investment in the future," Wroński told Poland's PAP news agency.
"It’s a very prestigious building in the heart of Washington, and it will consolidate the embassy, consulate and other offices currently spread across different parts of the city," he said.
The decision to finalize the purchase before the end of 2024 was deliberate, according to Wroński, who stressed the building’s suitability for Poland’s diplomatic presence in the United States.
The current embassy building no longer meets modern diplomatic requirements, he added.
This is the Polish foreign ministry's second high-profile real estate project, following Poland’s embassy in Berlin.
That building, located on the prominent Unter den Linden boulevard just 300 meters from the Brandenburg Gate, is set to open on January 17.
The Berlin embassy project was initiated during Radosław Sikorski's previous tenure as Poland's foreign minister from 2007 to 2014. Its completion during his current term reflects continuity in Poland's efforts to strengthen its diplomatic presence in key locations, according to officials.
Wroński expressed pride in both projects, highlighting the significance of maintaining a strong diplomatic footprint in major global capitals.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP