Washingtonians looking to strike culinary gold need walk no further than the intersection of 14^th and G Streets to Ceiba, a new restaurant featuring Contemporary Latin American Cuisine, from the owners of DC Coast and Ten Penh restaurants. 

The restaurant’s location on the ground floor of The Colorado Building is the latest in a colorful history of successful discoveries.  The building was constructed in 1903 by American industrialist Thomas F. Walsh, who emigrated penniless from Ireland in 1869 at the age of 19, and made his fortune by founding the Camp Bird gold mine.  Camp Bird turned out to be the second-largest mine in the state of Colorado and, at its peak, was producing $5,000 worth of gold per day.  Walsh sold it in 1903 for five million dollars.   

Walsh later came to Washington, DC and hired architect George S. Townsend to design and construct the Colorado Building which he named in honor of the state which provided him so much wealth.  He also built what came to be known as The Walsh-McLean House, the most expensive private home in Washington at the time, built at a cost of $835,000.  The mansion was once the social center of the Dupont Circle area and Washington itself, and now serves as the Indonesian Embassy.

Walsh’s fortune was so magnificent that it also enabled him to purchase the magnificent Hope Diamond.  His daughter, Mrs. Evalyn Walsh McLean was, in fact, the last private owner of the Hope Diamond until her death in 1947.  The man who created a legacy in striking gold would undoubtedly be proud that the landmark building he constructed will be home to yet another gem: Ceiba.