The embassy occupies Forrest-Marbury House, originally built in 1788, and owned by General Uriah Forrest. Forrest was one of the leaders in the effort to establish the American capital in the area. On March 29, 1791, he hosted George Washington and other dignitaries in a dinner that marked the agreement in principle to establish the new capital. In 1800 the house was purchased by William Marbury, a prominent ally of President John Adams, best known for his role in Marbury v. Madison. The house remained the home of the Marbury family until 1891, when the changing character of the neighborhood led John Marbury Jr. to turn it into a commercial property.
It served as the home to a wide array of businesses for many decades.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, it was a restaurant/bar owned by Jack Wilner and was called "Jack's."
Its last commercial role was home to a night club named Desperados.
In 1986 the building was bought by a developer, refurbished, and restored to its original condition. On December 31, 1992, the newly independent Ukraine purchased the building to house its embassy.
List of Ambassadors of Ukraine to the United States
