The building was originally built in 1905 for a wealthy doctor, George W. Barrie, to designs by the partnership of William J. Marsh and Walter G. Peter. It was later home to the Peruvian Embassy and for many years housed the Landon School. One of the more striking buildings on Embassy Row, its purchase was a major coup for the country.
On July 2, 2001 it was severely damaged by a fire caused by faulty wiring.
The building was completely refurbished and reopened in 2003.[2]
In 2020 the reconstruction of the embassy began and the building was closed for diplomatic work.[3] The renovation took three years and the embassy building was reopened in November 2023.[4]