The United States plans to use $700 million to build a new embassy in Ireland after the announcement of breaking ground for a new embassy complex in Saudi Arabia.
United States President Joe Biden's administration notified Congress about its plan to buy a former Dublin hotel, demolish it, and construct new buildings to turn it into the new embassy. The breaking ground in Saudi Arabia is a part of the government's revamp of its diplomatic facilities in the Gulf.
US To Spend $700 Million on New Embassy in Ireland
On Monday, the State Department informed lawmakers that it would be buying the former Jury's Hotel in Dublin's upscale Ballsbridge neighborhood for roughly $171 million. After associated costs, including the design and construction of the new chancery and furnishing, the total would come to about $688.8 million.
The property spans 4.2 hectares and is located only a block from the existing US embassy in the Irish capital. The original embassy dates back to the 1960s. As per Independent, the State Department noted that it was already well beyond its useful life and was too small for operational needs.
The planned new compound will include the embassy, a residence for Marine guards, support facilities, and parking. While the notice did not estimate when the project would be finished, it said there could be 189 employees in 2928, at least 109 of whom would need office space.
For more than a decade, the United States plans to relocate its embassy in Dublin. The Ballsbridge site has been expected to be the new site after Irish authorities approved zoning and other changes to the area last year.
Improving International Relations
On Tuesday, the State Department also announced that it had broken ground on constructing a new US embassy on a 27.5-acre site in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, acquired in early 2020. The construction of a new US consulate in Jeddah and planning for a new consulate in Dhahran brought the total cost to more than $1 billion.
The construction of a new complex in Ireland comes after the original embassy warned American tourists in July this year to avoid walking alone following an attack in Dublin. A notice released by officials reminded US citizens to exercise "good personal security practices while traveling," according to The Hill.
The notice included being aware of the environment and avoiding walking alone, especially at night. Officials also urged people not to wear or display expensive jewelry or watches and to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
The incident that led to the warning involved 57-year-old Stephen Termini, who was attacked and left with life-changing injuries. Authorities said that a group of youths targeted the New Yorker on Store Street in Dublin's north inner city on July 19.
The victim was staying at a guesthouse in nearby Talbot Street and officials later charged a teenage boy in relation to the incident. The crime, along with other violent incidents in Dublin at the time, prompted public outcry, said The Guardian.
