Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-11
$7Ol,0|)DEMBASSY
.s.e.f .-
PLANS APPROVED
Britain's Proposed Construc-
ton on Massachusetts Ave-
nut 0. KID by Arts Body.

Plans for the erection of the new
British Embassy on Massa chusetts
avenue at the Observatory circle, call
ing for a structure Of proportions and
elaborate design that viii make 1t one
OF the. show places of Washington,
costing approximately 100000. have
been approved by the Fine Arts Com
mission, and the poject in the near
future will be offered for contract, ac-
Cording to an announcement sane
toned today at the embassy.
Actual construction of the new en-
bassy, which is designed to outclass
any similar building in this city as
we'll as many In. other capitals. is ex-
pected to start in June, with the
anticipation that 1t will be ready for
occupancy within two years.
To Occupy 31a-Acre Plot.
The new. embassy, for which the
British Parliament has appropriated
f140s 900 Approximately $500 ,000). will
be built on an irregularly shaped
tract of land on Massachusetts
avenue of about three and one half
acres, which was purchased a year
ago from Harry wardman, Washing
ton realtor and builder, who is q
native of England.
!, The site was approved by Sir Edwin
Lutyens, British government archi-
tect, who has drawn the plans for the
embassy buildings, Associated with
Sir Edwin in the project is Frederick
Brooke, Washington architect. Sir
Edwin now is in India supervising the
completion OF the new capital at
Delhi for the British government. His
work is widely recognized In this
country, and two years ago he was
awarded a gold medal by the Ameri-
can Institute OF Architects.
Plans Landed by Commission.
In approving architectural sketches
submitted by Sir Edwin, the Fine Arts
Commission lauded the plans and de-
clared the proposed structures were of
"a nature appropriate for the. uses in
tended, expressive of the dignity of
the Nation and imbued with charm. =
Concurring in the opinion of the
Fine Arts Commission were former
members of the commission who were
called into consultation on the plans
at a meeting held in New York Febru-
airy 5. These architects included Cass
Gilbert, Thomas Hastings, Charles A.
Plat, Louis Ayres and Milton B.
Medary, jr. Also included in the con-
ference were Daniel Chester French,
Herbert Adams and James e. Fraser,
-sculptors- The report was submitted
by Charles Moore, chairman of the
Fine Arts Commission.
= Style of Architecture.
The new embassy will be of the
Queen Anne style of two stories, hav-
ing a high-pitched Dutch-type roof.
1t will set well back from the. street
h. Ii. n
and will command a far-fiung view of
the Capital. The structure will be of
brick with columns OF Indiana free
stone.
There will be two L-shaped wings
at the front OF the structure, which
will be devoted TO the chancery. 1t
will be of two stories. but because
Of the slope of the land, the section
will be one story lower than the main
portion. of the embassy proper Con-
Meeting this unit with the main por-
ton OF the embassy will be a porte
cochere and an fnclosed corridor lead
ing from this entrance.
Spacious Halls Provided.
In the main section OF the building
will be spacious reception halls, par
lors and library especially arranged to
accommodate state functions and re-
ceptions by the Ambassador.
The Ambassadors Offices will be
placed in separate wing of the main
portion of the embassy and his resi-
DENTAL quarters viii occupy the, sec
ond floor of the building. a. detached
garage will be constructed in a seclud-
section of the grounds.
Sir Edwin will come to Washington
this Spring to supervise construction
of the embassy. and upon his arrival
here the project viii be offered for
constructive bids.