Iraqi Embassy Upgrades Its D.C. Digs

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/22/AR2007022201999.html

Iraqi Embassy Upgrades Its D.C. Digs
Mission Acquires Mansion, Plans Extensive Renovations to Current Site

By Nora Boustany
Washington Post Foreign Service
Friday, February 23, 2007; Page A12

Iraq may be facing a deadly civil war, but the Iraqi government is initiating major, costly repairs to its diplomatic building in Washington and expanding its real estate holdings here.

The latest Iraqi government purchase for its U.S. mission is a $5.8 million mansion at 3421 Massachusetts Ave. NW in Observatory Circle, across the street from Vice President Cheney's official residence. The three-story, 1920 Tudor-style structure, with more than 7,000 square feet of space, will serve as Iraq's temporary embassy during renovations to its fading Dupont Circle mission. Plans are to eventually turn the Dupont Circle building into a cultural center for the exhibition of Iraqi art.

The mansion comes with bright skylights, inset lighting fixtures, a top-floor kitchenette with a built-in espresso machine, new hardwood floors and soft pistachio carpeting up the winding stairs. There are heated floors, a firefighting system, speakers for music throughout the building, and spacious bathrooms, one with a Jacuzzi.

"We have bathrooms coming out of our ears," said Iraqi Ambassador Samir Sumaidaie, inspecting the new digs.

A Washington design and restoration company, Skynear and Co., painstakingly repaired the building after a 2004 fire, replicating almost every detail. Original plaster moldings were recast and French chandeliers imported to replace the originals. "A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into it," said Lynn Skynear. "We think we resurrected it back from the dead."

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[soothsayer]

1. Wonder if it has a tunnel that links to cheney's spider hole/bunker?

[peace13]

2. This comment says it all....

'A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into it," said Lynn Skynear. "We think we resurrected it back from the dead." '

These people have no shame. Very poor choice of words here!