Asia Society Acquires Blaine Mansion as Washington Home
Washington, DC – Asia Society announced on October 22 that it has acquired the historic Blaine Mansion, which will serve as the permanent home for its Policy Institute and Center for China Analysis.
Located at 2000 Massachusetts Avenue NW in Dupont Circle, the 15,000-square-foot mansion will feature offices, conference facilities, and meeting spaces, the organization stated.
Kevin Rudd, Asia Society’s Global President and CEO, credited the acquisition to a lead gift from Stephen A. Schwarzman, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Blackstone, as well as support from other trustees and institutional donors. Schwarzman, a longstanding supporter of Asia Society, emphasized that the new location will enhance discussions surrounding U.S.-Asia relations.
Having founded the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University in 2013 and contributed significantly to Asia Society for over 20 years, Schwarzman highlighted the importance of establishing a dedicated presence in Washington.
Asia Society, which was founded by John D. Rockefeller 3rd in 1956, has held a Washington office since 1970. Rudd, who previously served as Prime Minister of Australia and as the country’s ambassador to the U.S., established the Policy Institute in 2014 and the Center for China Analysis in 2022.
Rudd remarked that the mansion will support the institute’s policy initiatives and serve as a base for Asia Society’s programs in arts, culture, and ideas in Washington.
The Blaine Mansion was constructed between 1882 and 1883, designed by architect John Fraser. It is named after its first resident, James G. Blaine, who held various significant positions including U.S. Secretary of State and speaker of the House of Representatives, and was a three-time presidential nominee.
Over the years, the mansion has housed notable occupants such as inventor George Westinghouse, the Japanese Embassy from 1921 to 1925, and the Rural Electrification Administration during the Great Depression. Recent renovations were overseen by former U.S. Ambassador to Italy John R. Phillips and former journalist Linda Douglass.
Asia Society operates 16 centers and offices worldwide, with locations in New York, Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, and Houston, among others.
