October 22, 2026 — The Asia Society is delighted to announce a new, permanent home in Washington, D.C. for its Policy Institute and Center for China Analysis at the Blaine Mansion at 2000 Massachusetts Avenue NW.
The 15,000 square foot historic building in Dupont Circle—at the intersection of think tank and Embassy rows—will include offices, state-of-the-art conference facilities, convening spaces, and more.
The Global President and CEO of the Asia Society, the Hon. Dr. Kevin Rudd AC said that “Asia Society’s purchase of the Blaine Mansion was made possible by a lead gift from Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Blackstone and Asia Society Global Trustee. Asia Society is deeply grateful to Mr. Schwarzman and the many Global Trustees and institutional supporters of the Society whose help made this new home possible.”
Mr. Schwarzman said, “I am honored to support Asia Society as it establishes a dedicated presence in Washington, D.C. The relationships between the United States and countries in Asia will shape much of this century, and policymakers need a trusted, independent forum for candid dialogue and the sharing of expertise. Asia Society has provided that for 70 years, and I’m proud to help expand this in our nation’s capital.”
Mr. Schwarzman has been a regular donor to the Asia Society for over two decades and has led other philanthropic efforts to strengthen global relationships. In 2013, he founded an international scholarship program, “Schwarzman Scholars,” at Tsinghua University in Beijing to educate future leaders about China. At over $575 million, the program is modeled on the Rhodes Scholarship and is the single largest philanthropic effort in China’s history coming largely from international donors.
The Asia Society was established by John D. Rockefeller 3rd seventy years ago this year, and its Washington, D.C., office has been active since 1970. The Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) was established in 2014 and inaugurated by its founding president, Dr. Kevin Rudd, the 26th Prime Minister of Australia and the country’s recent Ambassador to the United States. The Asia Society Policy Institute is a global think- and do-tank focused on U.S.-Asia relations. In 2022 Dr. Rudd also established ASPI’s Center for China Analysis (CCA), which has now become one of the premier China outfits in the United States.
“We are proud that the Asia Society Policy Institute will make this distinguished heritage building its permanent home in Washington,” Dr. Rudd said. “With its rich history as a setting for meetings with past policymakers and diplomats, the Blaine Mansion is the ideal Washington location for our Policy Institute and its China Center. Our analysts will continue to widen their work on the major policy challenges and opportunities across the Asia-Pacific in support of the Washington policy community. Additionally, as a multidisciplinary organization, we look forward to bringing Asia Society’s offerings in arts, culture, and ideas to D.C.”
Built in 1882-1883 and designed by architect John Fraser, the Blaine Mansion is named for its first resident, politician James G. Blaine (1830-1893), who served as Secretary of State under Presidents Garfield and Harrison, as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and as a senator from Maine. A founder of the Republican party, he was a three-time nominee for president of the United States. Blaine, together with Abraham Lincoln, was also a co-founder of the pre-Civil War Republican Party.
The building has also been the home of inventor George Westinghouse, the Japanese Embassy from 1921-25, the Rural Electrification Administration during the Great Depression, offices of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, and more. In recent years, the property has undergone an extensive renovation and development by former U.S. Ambassador to Italy John R. Phillips and former journalist Linda Douglass.
About Asia Society
Asia Society’s mission is to navigate shared futures for Asia and the world across foreign and national security policy, economics, technology, business, as well as arts, culture, and ideas.
Uniquely, the Asia Society comprises both a policy think tank and an institution dedicated to arts, culture, and ideas. Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution initially established to promote greater knowledge of Asia in the United States. It brings together leading thinkers on policy, arts, culture, business, and education for lectures and discussions, exhibitions, film and performances, networking and family events, and more.
Today, Asia Society is a global institution with locations across Asia, the United States, and Europe. Our global network is anchored in 16 centers and public buildings in New York, Hong Kong, and Houston, and offices in Delhi, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, Paris, San Francisco, Seattle, Sydney, Tokyo, Washington D.C., and Zurich. Asia Society New York serves as the organization’s global headquarters and includes a renowned art museum, elegant performance and public spaces, and conference facilities.
About the Asia Society Policy Institute
With a problem-solving mandate, the Asia Society Policy Institute tackles major policy challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific in the areas of Security and Diplomacy; Trade, Investment, and Innovation; Climate and Energy; and Society, Technology, and Public Health.
With top-level advisors, fellows, and the premier Asia-wide network of experts, the Institute provides a unique platform for policy development. It boasts a truly Asia-wide scope; participation from business and policy leaders on equal footing; and the application of Asia Society’s world-leading convening and research capabilities to the pursuit of prosperity, security, and sustainability across Asia.
ASPI’s Center for China Analysis focuses on Chinese politics, the economy, technology, AI, society, foreign and security policy, U.S.-China relations, the PLA, and Taiwan.
For more information on the Asia Society’s purchase of the Blaine Mansion, please contact [email protected].
