Asia Society announces new permanent home in historic Washington building
The Asia Society announced on Thursday that it had marked out territory on the Washington policy landscape with the purchase of a US$17.5 million building that will give it a permanent spot alongside other US capital think tanks dating back more than a century, striving for influence. The 70-year-old institution, founded by the grandson of oil mogul John D. Rockefeller, has focused more on public…
The Asia Society has secured a new permanent home in Washington, D.C., by purchasing a historic building that will serve as its Policy Institute and China Centre. The 15,000-square-foot James G. Blaine Mansion, located in the DuPont Circle neighborhood, has been renovated and now features state-of-the-art conference facilities, private pool, underground parking, and a restaurant space.
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the institution's president, stated that the location is ideal for the Asia Society's policy-focused initiatives. The building's purchase was made possible by Stephen Schwarzman, a major supporter of US-China relations, who donated $17.5 million towards the $19.99 million purchase price.
Schwarzman, listed as the 46th richest person in the world with a net worth of $41.7 billion, has previously contributed $100 million to launch the Schwarzman Scholars program in Beijing. The Blaine Mansion, built in 1882 for politician and former Secretary of State James G. Blaine, has a rich history that includes serving as the home to inventor George Westinghouse, the Japanese Embassy, and various government agencies.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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