press releases
The United States Embassy Inaugurates New Building
Athens (May 9, 2007) -- The Embassy of the United States of America inaugurated its new office building and other facilities today in a ceremony that included the participation of Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Valinakis, Father Thomas Synodinos, Ambassador Charles P. Ries, and Director of the State Departments' Office of Overseas Building Operations, General Charles E. Williams.
Present for the inauguration were Minister Vyron Polydoras, Rabbi Jacob Arar, representatives of the business, academic, and cultural communities, and many of the Embassy's neighbors.
The new building and additional facilities enable the Embassy to bring onto the compound employees who have been working in leased space for many years and to provide employees and visitors with more comfortable working space and easier access.
The new office building and surrounding structures were designed by the Boston architecture firm Kallmann McKinnell & Wood. The main contractor was J.A. Jones International of North Carolina and the main subcontractor was Pantechniki of Athens.
The total cost of the project, from the purchase of the land to the last light bulb was about $78 million, of which about $50 million went to Greek businesses and workers.
Included in the construction project are many environmentally friendly elements. These include over 16,000 plantings and a low-drip irrigation system with moisture sensors, garden terraces, premium efficiency climate control and lighting systems, and paints, carpets, and floor tiles with reduced levels of chemicals.
The new building has on display 20 works of contemporary art by 15 artists of Greek-American and Greek heritage, including Stephen Antonakos, William Baziotes, Danae Stratou, and Niki Kanagini. In addition, a 21-meter long garden sculpture by Michael Singer pays tribute to Greece's rich archaeological history and provides a soothing place to sit.
For more information, please see www.usembassy.gr.