Ministry: ‘Fixing up’ T&T embassy in US cost $211,000

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says renovations to the  T&T embassy in Washington, DC, cost US$211,420. The ministry, in a news release, was responding to a  T&T Guardian story which reported the renovations. The embassy was featured in the July/August issue of a US architectural magazine, Home and Design. Last week, the T&T Guardian reported Government’s draft estimates for 2012 showed approximately US$700,000 had been allocated for refurbishing the embassy. The embassy, at 1708 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC, has undergone extensive renovations that began shortly after ambassador Dr Neil Parsan took office in February 2011.

The release said the embassy has been at that location since 1973. In 2009, 1714 Massachusetts Avenue was bought for US$12 million to “eliminate cramped and unsafe conditions in the chancery,” according to officials.
The building was bought with furniture and fixtures. Both properties were converted into one space to house the embassy, it was stated. The statement said the purchase of the building and the renovations were “investments, expected to save financial resources in the long-term and the assets, which are housed in a prime location, are projected to appreciate in value.” Home and Design reported renovations included overhauling the foyer, renovating a floor to accommodate the ambassador’s office and create a “gathering room” and kitchen and commissioning of custom-made mahogany doors.