Monday, May 5, 2008

Belgian Embassy: Ambassador's Residence

The residence has 3 stories, 44 rooms, and a free-standing, 2-story, 8 car garage. African American, Julian Abele (1881-1950) was the architect for “Marly,” completed in 1931, and commissioned by Anna Thomson Dodge, the heiress of the Dodge Brothers Motor Company family fortune, as a wedding gift to daughter Delphine and son-in-law Raymond Baker. Marly was purchased for the residence of the Embassy of Belgium in 1945.

Abele spent the majority of his career as chief designer for architect Horace Trumbauer, whose Philadelphia firm specialized in elegant houses for America's elite. The firm often designed in 18th-century French academic style.

The residence is relatively private and easy to miss. Though it does catch your eye when you do spot it. The most you can hope to see from the road is similar to the third photo.

2300 Foxhall Rd, Washington, DC 20007
Picture of Belgian Embassy in Washington, DC
Belgium Embassy Picture in Washinton, DC
Photo of Belgian Embassy Washington, DC
Washington, DC Belgian Embassy ImageDetached two-story, eight car garage.
Belgian Embassy Car Garage Picture Washington, DC

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