T&T's embassy in Washington DC is being featured in the July/August issue of a US architectural magazine, Home and Design. The embassy, on Embassy Row, at 1708 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC, underwent extensive renovations starting shortly after ambassador Dr Neil Parsan took office in February 2011.
According to Home and Design, renovations included "an overhaul of the ground-floor foyer with a newly-designed reception area; a renovation of the second floor to accommodate the Ambassador's office and create a 'gathering room' with an attached kitchen for less formal events; a repurposed third floor (formerly home to family bedrooms) that would house two offices and a private guest suite, kitchenette and bath; and the creation of offices on the fourth floor."
Parsan's personal assistant Sandra McShine told the T&T Guardian questions about the renovations should be directed to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Margaret Parillon. However, up to late yesterday there was no response to calls and an e-mail sent to the PS asking to verify the cost of the extensive renovations. Upgrades to the building also included 200-pound custom-made mahogany doors.
A Google search of US home furnishing suppliers showed that factory-made mahogany doors can cost as much as US$2,400. The ground floor was also outfitted with "a hand-carved, inlaid wood base and a quartz-stone top that matches the stone floor."
Former Foreign Affairs minister Dr Suruj Rambachan said he did not recall any such renovations taking place during his term, but added that the image of embassies was important and that such work would be carried out if it was in the ministry's budget. The T&T Guardian learned that the embassy building at Massachusetts Avenue was purchased in 2009 to provide additional space for staff. The embassy currently operates in two adjoining buildings.
