Doha, Qatar, December 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – The State of Qatar announced today that it is dedicating a major website Dohas on the waterfront to the new headquarters of the Foreign Ministry, known worldwide for its mediating role. The project was created to create a more visible civic presence for the country's diplomatic service and provide the public with unprecedented access to the ministry complex. It will transform a prominent section of the city's famous Corniche. As part of an invited international competition, the contract to design the headquarters was awarded to an architect Frida EscobedoFounder and Director of Mexico City And new York-based Frida Escobedo Studio. The 70,000 square meter (750,000 square foot) complex will rise alongside the waters of Doha Bay and will be a combination of new construction and the adaptive reuse of a popular historic structure on the site, nestled in a lush green setting.
The launch of the plan to create the new complex aims to make this building the first large building in decades in the coastal area that extends to the north Qatar Seat of government, the Amiri Diwan. To increase the visibility of the ministry's mission in mediation, conflict resolution and cultural diplomacy, the 1985 General Post Office – known for its distinctive modernist “drawers” – will be integrated into the complex. This large public building will be preserved and partially adapted as a space for public programs related to the Ministry's role in cultural diplomacy.
His Excellency the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said: “I am grateful to His Highness the Emir for his vision for the nation. The new Foreign Ministry headquarters being built will be a symbol of the country's diplomacy and, through reflection, a source of pride for our people.” Qatar leading global role in diplomatic negotiations and promoting productive international dialogue and cooperation. Thank you HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani for their role in ensuring that this new ministry home meets all of our needs in an exceptional architectural landmark.”
Your Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-ThaniChairwoman of Qatar Museums, led the competition in her role as Chair of Qatar Blueprint, a comprehensive initiative to guide nationwide development in collaboration with public institutions and the private sector. The creation of the ministry's new headquarters will include a public cultural component in the repurposed main post office. The project advances Qatar Blueprint's goals in urban and architectural planning, heritage conservation, adaptive reuse initiatives and excellence in architectural design.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa said: “I thank His Highness the Emir for the appointment.” Qatar global position and role. I also thank His Excellency the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister for their efforts to improve the situation Qatar Role as a prominent and active player in international diplomacy. Sincere thanks to Ashghal, Qatar Public Works Authority, for their cooperation throughout the competition. I warmly congratulate you Frida Escobedoa major international talent in their selection to design the ministry's new headquarters. Their design underscores our commitment to preserving cultural heritage through sustainability and adaptive reuse in giving Qatar his next architectural masterpiece.
Frida Escobedos The human-scale and courtyard-centered design envisions the new State Department complex Doha as a rhythmic composition of volumes building on one another, forming a threshold between them Qatar Heritage and its global future. Gently terracing to the north, the new building will preserve views of the iconic General Post Office by incorporating elements into the façade as part of an important adaptive reuse effort while visually anchoring the State Department in the site's history. The exterior of the building will form an enveloping structure composed of vertical columns that balance shade, privacy and transparency, and the welcoming interior will feature a series of green terraces inviting reflection, gathering and art. This dialogue between architecture and landscape will also continue in the main post office, the ground floor of which will be converted into an exhibition space that flows into a covered garden. The project builds on and reinforces the country's continued investments in diplomacy, art and architecture Qatar Role as both a cultural anchor for Doha and a symbolic gateway to the world.
Frida Escobedo Studio, together with the engineers from Buro Happold and the landscape architects from Studio Zewde, was selected from an initial group of 40 invited architectural teams and a shortlist of seven. In keeping with the Ministry's mission, the selection process was entirely international, with architects from all continents invited to participate. The competition was organized and managed by Malcolm Reading Consultants on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Qatar Museums.