The Embassy building was designed by the prominent Washington, DC, architect George Oakley Totten (http://www.javadc.org/george_oakley_totten_iii.htm) and constructed in 1909 as a residence for then Nebraska Congressman and, later, Senator Gilbert M. Hitchcock. ( http://info.neded.org/stathand/parttwo/statesma.html )

From late 1968 through early 1990, the building was used by the International Institute of Interior Design which merged with Marymount University in 1990. The University sold the building to the Republic of Armenia in early 1995.

The Armenian Embassy moved into the newly refurbished building in February 1996. The building was renovated by a volunteer committee of Armenian-Americans, headed by Vartkess Balian. The interior was designed by Kay Mangasarian and architect Armen Simonian.

The Embassy building is dedicated to the memory of Stephan and Yester Hovnanian, the parents of Hirair Hovnanian, a prominent Armenian-American industrialist and philanthropist, by whose generous donation the building was purchased for the Republic of Armenia.

The Embassy visitors can enjoy a rich collection of oriental rugs, authentic Armenian artifacts, and a few pieces of the original old French-style furniture.