Gilbane Building Company, a member of multiple AGC chapters, has been awarded the fixed-price contract for the new U.S. Diplomacy Center for the U.S. Department of State. The 30,000-sq-ft center will be the new public entrance to the Department of State headquarters located at 21st Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. and the nation's first museum dedicated exclusively to the practice of U.S. diplomacy and the important work of our U.S. diplomats around the world.

The architectural firm of Beyer Blinder Belle provided the modern design concept.  On the drawing board since 2000, the project is funded by private institutional and individual donors through the Diplomacy Center Foundation and has enjoyed support from all recent secretaries of State. 

"This is an extremely important win for us. Not only is it a highly visible project at the front door of one of the most important buildings in the country, but it will also allow visitors from around the world to have the opportunity  to come through this state-of-the-art jewel box to fully understand the importance of diplomacy in our world," said Drew Mucci, Gilbane vice president.

The new U.S. Diplomacy Center is a $25-million project featuring a multi-function pavilion providing reception, exhibit and support spaces for the new museum, as well as security screening for the general public and access to the existing conference center for the building's employees and visitors. Construction is slated to begin in summer 2014 and will span 18 months.

Gilbane provides a full slate of construction services - from sustainable building to the latest in construction technology - for clients across various markets. Founded in 1873 and still a privately held, family-run company, Gilbane has more than 50 office locations around the world. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com.