Washington, DC - In an important symbol of enduring friendship with Turkmenistan, U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan Allan Mustard and local officials broke ground today on the new U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat.

The multi-building campus will be situated on a 17.3-acre site. The campus will include an office building, a U.S. Marine Security Guard residence, a support annex, staff housing, and facilities for the Embassy community. Completion of the project is anticipated in July 2018.

Yost Grube Hall of Portland, Oregon, is the design architect, and Integrus of Spokane, Washington, is the architect of record. Caddell Construction of Montgomery, Alabama, is the construction contractor. The $266 million project will incorporate numerous sustainable features, including energy efficient lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and drought-tolerant plantings.

Since 1999, as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Capital Security Construction Program, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has completed 122 new diplomatic facilities and has an additional 46 projects in design or under construction.

OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.