What is the Walsh-McLean House known for?

It is a historic eclectic mansion that currently serves as the Embassy of Indonesia. It is recognized as a Category II Landmark and is the largest private residence in the Massachusetts Avenue Historic District.

Where is it located and how do I get there?

The house is located at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., on the southeast corner of Massachusetts Avenue and 21st Street in the Embassy Row neighborhood. Visitors can reach the area via the Dupont Circle station of the Washington Metro.

What is the history of the building?

Commissioned by millionaire Thomas F. Walsh and completed in 1903, the mansion was designed by architect Henry Anderson. It was later owned by Evalyn Walsh McLean and her husband Edward Beale McLean before being occupied by the Indonesian Embassy in 1954.

Are there any interesting stories associated with the house?

The house was owned by Evalyn Walsh McLean, the last private owner of the Hope Diamond. Local tradition claims she once hung the diamond from her Great Dane's collar and that the gem was once lost under a sofa cushion during a party.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Walsh-McLean House (Embassy of Indonesia) in Washington, D.C.

Q: What are the architectural features of the house?

The mansion is an eclectic structure featuring Renaissance, Baroque, Louis XVI, and Art Nouveau elements. It was built as a 60-room residence.

Walsh-McLean House (Embassy of Indonesia)

A lavish Gilded Age mansion designed by Henry Anderson, this eclectic architectural gem served as the home of the Hope Diamond's last private owner and now houses the Embassy of Indonesia.

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What to know

Located at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., the Walsh-McLean House stands as a monumental example of early 20th-century opulence. Commissioned by millionaire Thomas F. Walsh and completed in 1903, the residence was designed by architect Henry Anderson. The building is an eclectic masterpiece, blending Renaissance, Baroque, Louis XVI, and Art Nouveau elements into a massive structure that originally featured 60 rooms. At the time of its construction, the mansion was intended to be the most expensive residence in Washington, with cost estimates ranging from $835,000 to $850,000. It later became the home of Evalyn Walsh McLean and her husband, Edward Beale McLean. Evalyn, a prominent American socialite, became the last private owner of the legendary Hope Diamond after purchasing it from Pierre Cartier in 1912. Today, the building serves as a chancery and has been occupied by the Embassy of Indonesia since 1954. Its architectural significance is formally recognized as a Category II Landmark by the District of Columbia Joint Committee on Landmarks and as a contributing property to the Massachusetts Avenue Historic District. It remains the largest private residence within that historic district. The house is situated on the southeast corner of Massachusetts Avenue and 21st Street, positioned between Dupont and Sheridan Circles. Visitors can admire the exterior's Beaux Arts influence and the specific Louis XVI details that mark this former private estate as a centerpiece of the city's diplomatic corridor.

Visitor tips

Access the area easily via the Dupont Circle station of the Washington Metro.
View the historical marker on the exterior to learn about the mansion's original 60-room layout.
Walk the perimeter of the block to see how the building anchors the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and 21st Street.

Nearby context

The Walsh-McLean House is a cornerstone of the Embassy Row neighborhood, located on Massachusetts Avenue between Dupont and Sheridan Circles. As a contributing property to the Massachusetts Avenue Historic District, it exemplifies the grand scale of the city's diplomatic and historic residential architecture.

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