Barton, Canberra: Embassy Row, Parliament House and the Inner South Precinct

Barton is one of Canberra's most politically and diplomatically significant suburbs, serving as the home of Parliament House (on Capital Hill at the suburb's edge), numerous foreign embassy buildings and the headquarters of several federal government departments. The suburb's street grid along National Circuit and the surrounding blocks holds some of the ACT's most significant mid-century Modernist architecture in the embassy buildings that have operated continuously since Canberra was established as the capital. The Hotel Realm on National Circuit is the suburb's main hospitality hub, with a collection of cafes and restaurants in a hotel and serviced-apartment complex that caters to the parliamentary and diplomatic community. The National Press Club on Ainslie Avenue is a significant institution with a restaurant and regular public events including notable address luncheons. Barton's residential streets on Capital Hill's lower slopes are among the most sought-after in the ACT, with a mix of Federation-style and mid-century homes. The suburb is within easy walking distance of Kingston Foreshore and the lakeside dining strip.