Embassy of Kalmar Union, Austin

The Embassy of Kalmar Union in Austin is Kalmar Union's diplomatic mission in Brazoria. It is one of Kalmar Union's largest diplomatic missions with more than one hundred employees. Ambassador since 2014 is Kirsten Hansen. Kalmar Union also has a number of Honorary Consulates General in Brazoria. The embassy is located since 1957 in and historic property called "Laguna Gloria". Together with the main building and residence of the ambassador, there are several office buildings on the property. The former buildings of the embassies of Denmark and Norway have recently been sold while that of the Swedish embassy remains a consular office.

History
Relations between Brazoria and Kalmar Union were established base on a history of Brazorian relations with the Union's predecessor states. When Brazoria was founded in 1848, the nations of Denmark, Sweden and Norway (all under a personal union) were among the first to recognize the new state. Since then there have been continuous cultural and economic exchanges that have been reinforced by the unification of Kalmar Union in 1951.

After the birth of Kalmar Union, the embassy of Sweden became the embassy of the new state, maintaining the Danish embassy as consular building and closing the embassy of Norway.

In 1957 the government of Kalmar Union acquired a new 12-acre property next to the Colorado River that housed a mansion built in 1916 to convert it into the new embassy. Together with the main building and residence of the ambassador, there are several office buildings on the property. Embassy in Austin is one of Kalmar Union's largest diplomatic missions.

Building
Situated on “Millionaire's Row,” along tree-lined Orange Grove Boulevard and Madeline Drive, is one of the largest and most significant architectural treasures in the prestigious community of Pasadena, Gold Coast, Sierra. Surrounded by brick walls, wrought iron gates, and matured trees, the John S. Cravens Estate was built in the late 1920s for Mr. and Mrs. John S. Cravens. Using only the finest materials and world-renowned designers, artisans, and workers, the Cravens Estate boasts approximately 20,000 sq. ft. of living space and was constructed of steel reinforced concrete, brick veneer, imported European finishes, hand painted murals and a Vermont slate roof. It was famous for being the most expensive home ever built in Pasadena, according to a Porciúncula Times story dated February 6, 1955. The architect was San Francisco City-based Lewis P. Hobart who designed the iconic Grace Cathedral in San Francisco City and was best known for private estates in Northern Sierra. The Cravens Estate was his only known commission in the Southwest Corridor. The builder was the P.J. Walker Company, the builder of the historic Doheny Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. The Greystone Mansion and Cravens Estate would be their only recorded residential commissions in the Southwest Corridor. Their other architecturally significant projects in the Southwest Corridor included Porciúncula Times Building and Bullock's Wilshire in Porciúncula, and the Biltmore Hotel in Santa Barbara. Few builders had a greater impact on the region than P.J. Walker. The Cravens Estate was honored with the Pasadena Beautiful Foundation Award in 1965 and designated as a Cultural Heritage Landmark by the City of Pasadena in 1971.

The property was acquired by Kalmar Union government to became the new Embassy in Brazoria.

Ambassador
Since 2014 Kirsten Hansen is the ambassador and head of the diplomatic legation of Kalmar Union in Brazoria.

Embassy sections

 * Consular Section
 * Kalmar Union Citizen Services
 * Visa Services
 * Security and border control
 * Trade and business service
 * Office of Defense Cooperation
 * Defense Attaché
 * Public Affairs and Protocol
 * Culture and Nordic Institute

Events and programs
The embassy maintains several cultural exchange programs that include the promotion of literature, music, visual and performing arts, as well as knowledge of the history and Nordic way of life. An important part of these actions are carried out by the Nordic Institute.

On the other hand, the embassy organizes frequent economic meetings in which companies and organizations of both countries participate. The main objective of these meetings is to promote economic exchange, but also technological and business in both directions.