US Department of State celebrates new Embassy groundbreaking in Qatar
THE US Department of State celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony Monday for the construction of the new US Embassy, highlighting the deepening ties of friendship between the United States and Qatar.
The state-of-the-art ecofriendly facility will be located on a 12.3-acre site in a new diplomatic zone in Wadi Al Banat district and is expected to be completed in 2026.
The groundbreaking was conducted by the Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), the US Mission in Doha and other US and local officials.
The event was attended by Ambassador Essa AlvMannai, director of American Affairs Department, Ambassador Ismail Ali Al Emadi, director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Engineering Office and other officials.
The new US Embassy in Doha aims to support the expansion of US-Qatari diplomatic, security and commercial relations. The project will feature a sustainable design, construction and operations, and represent the best of US architecture, engineering and construction execution.
Designed by Richard Kennedy Architects, the new US Embassy evokes the rich history of Qatar and the Gulf, creating architecture that exhibits American values and responds to Qatari culture and traditions, such as large shade structures, inspired by traditional Bedouin tent forms marks entry plazas, recreational areas and residential terraces.
The new facility will also include a permanent art collection curated by OBO’s Office of Art in Embassies, featuring art in a variety of media such as painting, photography, textiles and sculptures by both US and Qatari artists.
Speaking at the event, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Ian McCary expressed excitement to announce the plans for the construction of a new US Embassy. “
“The United States established diplomatic relations with Qatar in 1972 and we’ve been in the current Embassy compound in Al-Luqtha for the past 20 years. Bilateral relations for the last five decades have been excellent, with the United States and Qatar coordinating closely on a wide range of regional and global political and commercial issues,” McCary said.
“The strength of the USQatar partnership was on full display last summer during the evacuation in Afghanistan, when Qatar stepped up to help us evacuate tens of thousands of American citizens, allies and partners. Qatar’s support has been unwavering till this day and we are privileged to work with such a strong and reliable partner.”
McCary added that Qatar and the US are currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations which is fitting that the groundbreaking for the new U.S. Embassy compound takes place on this important bilateral milestone.
“This project represents an estimated $110 million local investment by the US government into the Qatari economy and represents our long-term commitment to this relationship,” he said.
According to him, in line with the US sustainability goals as well as Qatar’s National Vision 2030, the new diplomatic compound will be an eco-friendly facility. The design meets energy-saving and sustainability goals and will take advantage of the Gulf region climate to reduce energy usage.
“Our priority on energysavings and sustainability means that the new embassy will reduce its environmental impact while enhancing the space around it,” he said.
He added that when President Biden hosted HH the Amir in the White House on January 31, they reaffirmed their mutual interest in promoting security and prosperity in the Gulf and broader Middle East region, ensuring the stability of global energy supplies, supporting the people of Afghanistan, and strengthening commercial and investment cooperation.
“The President and HH the Amir welcomed the signing of a $20 billion deal between Boeing and Qatar Airways Group, which will support tens of thousands of US manufacturing jobs. In recognition of the strategic partnership between the United States and Qatar, the president announced to HH the Amir of the US intention to designate Qatar as a Major Non-NATO Ally,” McCary added.
He said the new embassy is one more example of the enduring partnership between the US and Qatar.
“The new embassy will give us the space we need to better advance our common interests in investment, trade, education, humanitarian assistance, security and defence. The United States is here in Qatar to stay. We will continue to work with the Qatari government and people during this exciting year as Qatar prepares to welcome the world as host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” he said.
Richärd Kennedy Architects of Phoenix, Arizona, is the design architect, American International Contractors Inc. (Special Projects), of McLean, Virginia, is the Design/Build contractor, and KCCT of Washington is the Architect of Record.