America’s “fortress” embassy in Mayfair is to be converted into a luxury hotel as part of a £1 billion restoration of Grosvenor Square, the Standard can reveal.
Ambassador Matthew Barzun and his team of diplomats move out of the Grade II-listed modernist block — one of the most heavily protected buildings in London — to occupy a new home in Nine Elms next year.
It will be reborn as a 137-bedroom five-star hotel with a spa and ballroom for 1,000 guests, according to plans to be submitted to Westminster council next month.
There will also be six high-end shops and five restaurants.
The Qatari owners of the embassy have promised to demolish the intimidating rows of bollards and barriers put up after the 9/11 attacks and restore Grosvenor Square to its former status as an “open, expansive green space for residents and visitors to enjoy”.
Developer Qatari Diar — controlled by the Qatari Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund — has called in British architect Sir David Chipperfield to draw up redevelopment plans.
A public exhibition on the scheme will run from April 11 to 16 at 24 Grosvenor Hill.
Jerry Holmes, chief development officer for Qatari Diar said: “We take our responsibility to the local community very seriously and are committed to undertaking an in-depth and thorough engagement with local residents, businesses, amenity societies, heritage bodies, Westminster City Council and other local stakeholders.”
America’s largest European embassy has served as its diplomatic mission in Britain since 1960 and been at the centre of protests against the US government, most famously 1968’s violent anti-Vietnam war demonstrations.
The move to Wandsworth will end a US association with Grosvenor Square that goes back more than 200 years to first envoy John Adams in 1785.
Read More
MORE ABOUT