American Embassy, London:

The American Embassy London Chancery Building was constructed in the late 1950s, opening in 1960. It was designed by Finnish American modernist architect Eero Saarinen. The building has nine stories, three of which are below ground. A large gilded aluminum Bald Eagle by Theodore Roszak, with a wingspan of over 11 metres (35 feet) is situated on the roof of the Chancery Building, making it a recognizable London landmark.^[1] In October 2009, the building was granted Grade II listed status^[2]

This embassy, as with many U.S. embassies in the world, is situated on land that is not owned by the U.S. government. The land is leased from the Duke of Westminster who, when asked if he would sell the land outright, responded that he would if the U.S. Government would return the land that belonged to his family in the U.S. before it was confiscated during the Revolutionary War. The Duke refused to grant a freehold because, from the Duke's perspective, the U.S. Government had stolen some of his ancestor's estates in Virginia.^[3]

Security concerns

Security at the embassy was further tightened in the 1980s and '90s following successive attacks on U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. However, it was after the September 11 attacks in 2001 that security was significantly increased. A massive security operation at the embassy has seen one side of Grosvenor Square closed to public access by car, and armed roadblocks are stationed outside the building. On August 29, 2002, a Swedish citizen of Tunisian descent was arrested at the Stockholm-Västerås Airport trying to board a Ryanair Flight 685 destined for London Stansted Airport with a loaded gun in his luggage. Anonymous intelligence sources cited in the media claimed that the man was planning to hijack the aircraft and crash it into the United States embassy in London, using the rooftop eagle to identify it from the air. Sweden's Security Service, Säpo, denied the claims and called the reports "false information".^[4] The man was subsequently cleared of all terrorism-related charges.^[5]

The security threat against the embassy has prompted the U.S. government to consider moving the embassy. Several British media outlets reported that the U.S government had wished to use Kensington Palace as their embassy. This was apparently vetoed by Queen Elizabeth II, as several members of the British Royal Family, including Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, have their residences there. The embassy "strenuously denied" the reports, and a spokesman for Buckingham Palace reported that no formal request had been made.^[6]

Future

On 2 October 2008, the Embassy announced a conditional agreement with the real estate developer Ballymore to purchase property for the new Embassy site in the Nine Elms area of the London Borough of Wandsworth, south of the River Thames.^[7] The site lies within the Vauxhall/Nine Elms/Battersea Opportunity Area as set out in the London Plan. The proposed plan will only go forward if approved by the United States Congress and local planning authorities.^[8] The United States Department of State announced in January 2009 that it was choosing among nine architectural firms, all "modern" and "upmarket," to replace the aging embassy headquarters.^[7] In March 2009 the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations announced that four architectural firms had been selected for the final phase of the design competition.^[7] By law, the architect for a U.S. embassy must be an American firm with "numerous security clearances."^[7] As the projected cost balloons toward $1 billion, construction of the new embassy is expected to begin in 2012 or 2013, with relocation completed by 2016 or 2017.^[9]

In November 2009, the U.S. government conditionally agreed to sell the Grosvenor Square Chancery Building to Qatari real-estate investment firm Qatari Diar, which in 2007 purchased the Chelsea Barracks.^[10] Though the price was undisclosed, the building's worth was estimated at £500 million in July 2007; however, property values have since dropped by an estimated 45%.^[11] Additionally, the development value of the property was reduced when the building was given Grade II listed status,^[11] requiring developers to maintain its current design.^[12]

On 23 February, 2010, the U.S. government announced that a team led by the firm of KieranTimberlake has won the competition to design the new embassy building and surrounding greenspaces.^[13] The winning design resembles a crystalline cube, with a semi-circular pond on one side (called a "moat" by the Times^[14]) and surrounded by extensive public greenspaces.^[15]

Embassy sections

Opening times

The American Embassy in London is open from 8am to 5pm for visitors with appointments to the Visa and most American Citizen services sections who must make an appointment. However, visitors for the Federal Benefits Unit are welcome without needing to book an appointment from Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:30am and 1pm. Visitors for the Internal Revenue Service may also visit for walk-in enquiries on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 4pm only. The Embassy is closed on Saturdays and Sundays as well as all U.K. and U.S. public holidays. American citizens in distress can always reach an American Duty Officer via +44 (0)20-7499-9000.

Staff

Louis B. Susman was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James's on July 29, 2009 by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He took up his duties in London on August 17, 2009. The Deputy Chief of Mission is Richard LeBaron.

American Embassy, London

Contents

History

Security concerns

Future

Embassy sections

Opening times

Staff

See also

References

External links