WASHINGTON – The District of Columbia administration has reduced the property classification of a Pakistan embassy-owned historic building due to its poor state.
Details
The Pakistani government’s old deteriorating tower has been on the market for several months. However, the downgrade inevitably resulted in higher taxes on the property’s assessed value.
According to official records obtained by reports, the local authorities have modified the class classification of the property, located on Washington’s famous R Street.
The structure was formerly used as a chancery and was auctioned off late last year.
Cancellation of the Bidding Process
The highest bidder had offered $6.8 million for the property in the city’s core. Apre-auction evaluation of the building on an “as is” basis was $4.5 million.
The structure has been vacant for well over a decade. The diplomatic status of the building was also revoked in 2018, making it responsible for taxes to the local government.
Real Estate Categorization
According to building codes, real estate is classified as follows:
| Class 1 — an improved residential actual property that is populated and used exclusively for non-transient residential dwelling purposes. | Class 2 — commercial property |
| Class 3 — vacant property | Class 4 — blighted property |
According to official papers from the District of Columbia, the Pakistani government received no tax relief on that property beginning in 2018.
Because it was commercial in 2018 and 2019, the building was classified as Class 2. It was then classified as Class 3 because it was vacant from 2020 to 2022.
The building’s property classification was further reduced late last month, and it is now classified as Class 4 due to its poor condition.
