MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE
Naval Observatory to Sheridan Circle
23rd to 24th Streets NW

Today	Cross Section, Decatur to California Ave

24th to 23rd Streets, North Block	24th to 23rd Streets, South Block

The romantic limestone chateau of the Cameroon Embassy marks the western end of Massachusetts Avenue’s turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts residences. In 1905, Norwegian diplomat Christian Hague commissioned George Oakley Totten to design the residence at 2349 Massachusetts Avenue. Totten designed it in an early 16th century French style and the residence’s style, location, and commanding scale have brought it much notoriety along Massachusetts Avenue. The Czechoslovak republic purchased the residenc e in 1929 and maintained it until 1972, when the Federal Republic of Cameroon bought it to be used as the country’s American embassy.

Embassy of Cameroon, 1907

Architect George Oakley Totten also designed the Pakistan Embassy (formerly known as the Moran House) at 2315 Massachusetts Avenue in 1909 for use as a residence. The stucco structure employs 18th century details, a mansard roof, and limestone mat erials to unite with its counterpart next door, but the residence also features a round tower that serves as a visual accent to the street corner. In 1935, the Persian Legation inhabited the residence; in 1936, the Iranian Legation took over the lease. In 1945, the Hebrew Committee of National Liberation and the American League for a Free Palestine occupied the building and, since 1972, the Pakistan has used the site as its embassy.

Embassy of Pakistan, 1970

Embassy of Haiti, 1970

Just west of Sheridan Circle sits the former Fahnestock House at 2311 Massachusetts Avenue. In 1909, architect Nathan C. Wyeth designed the private residence in the French manner and used finely crafted Beaux-Arts details to fit into the surrounding neig hborhood. The Republic of China acquired the residence in 1943 for use as its chancery. Today, the building serves as the Embassy of Haiti.