U.S. and Ukraine finalize embassy purchase (01/03/93)

U.S. and Ukraine finalize embassy purchase

by Eugene M. Iwanciw
UNA Washington Office

WASHINGTON - Just one year and four days after U.S. recognition of Ukraine, the government of Ukraine concluded the purchase of an historic building in Washington for use as its embassy in the United States. The building, known as ForrestMarbury Court, is located at 3350 M Street NW in the historic Georgetown district of Washington. Months of negotiation with both the seller of the building and the Department of State, which had to approve the purchase agreement, culminated with the December 29, 1992, signing ceremony at the current Embassy of Ukraine.

Soon after the establishment of the embassy at its present temporary location in a downtown Washington office building, the Ukrainian delegation began searching for a permanent chancery for the Ukrainian Embassy. Working with a Washington realtor, Ambassador Oleh Bilorus and his staff visited numerous buildings before identifying ForrestMarbury Court as a suitable site for a permanent embassy. This was followed by extensive price negotiations with the sellers. The purchase price agreed upon was $4 million.

The building, located steps from Key Bridge, is on the corner of M and 34th Streets next to Francis Scott Key Memorial Park. The original portion of the building was constructed circa 1788. Between 1986 and 1989, the building was renovated and expanded. The 48,000 square foot edifice was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 2, 1973 (see sidebar).

When Ukraine requested State Department approval of the purchase, it was initially denied due to the failure of the Ukrainian government to identify a new residence for the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, according to a State Department official. After about two months of negotiation and inquiries by members of Congress, the State Department relented and approved the purchase.

Since the U.S. government does not own land in Ukraine, the State Department required that the land on which the future Ukrainian Embassy stands be turned over to the U.S. government and leased to Ukraine for 90 years at a price of one dollar.

The December 29 signing ceremony involved Andrew Eschleman of Forrest Marbury Corporation, owner of the property; Harry W. Porter, III of the Office of Foreign Missions of the U.S. Department of State; and Ambassador Bilorus. In addition to the signing of the contract and deed, the U.S. and Ukrainian representatives signed the lease agreement.

After the signing of the documents, the ambassador, embassy staff, State Department officials, lawyers, and guests toasted the new purchase with champagne from Ukraine. Mr. Porter toasted Ukraine and welcomed them to the community. "You have a superb property which will allow you to grow as our relations will continue to grow," stated Mr. Porter. Ambassador Bilorus replied that "this is a special day in the history of this Embassy and my country. Ukraine disappeared for centuries but now is emerging on the European scene." He concluded his remarks with the now familiar toast: "God bless America and God bless Ukraine."

The building was originally designed as a commercial/residential property. In addition to space for offices, it contains an interior landscaped courtyard, an outside terrace, garage parking for 21 cars, and eight apartments.

According to the Ukrainian Embassy, some staff will reside on the premises. The building will now, however, be the ambassador's residence. Ukraine is still waiting for the St. Sophia Society to turn over its building in Washington for use as the ambassador's residence as originally agreed to earlier this year.

While the embassy plans to begin moving its offices to the new chancery early in January, the consulate will remain at the 1828 L Street location for a number of months. The new facility requires interior design work before it can be fully utilized as a chancery, consulate and residence for Ukraine.

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