[Ardent]

The US Embassy in London is moving from Grosvenor Square to a site at Nine Elms near the old Battersea Power Station.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/04/10/article-1012767-00DCD06900000578-192_468x311.jpg

Attempts are being made to list the former Embassy by English Heritage, however many people also feel it should be pulled down and something more in keeping with the squares surroundings should be built.

Meanwhile the competition to design the new US Embassy at Nine Elms is being giving the go ahead.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/3123579/US-to-move-London-embassy-from-Grosvenor-Square-to-new-building-in-Wandsworth.html

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=427&storycode=3121178&c=1

Grosvenor Square has strong historial ties with the US and many Americans will be sad to see the Embassy go.








:)

[Saddle Man]

It's quite unattractive.

[Ardent]

It's quite unattractive.

I agree, not something I feel is worthy of listed status.

The Candy Brothers maybe interested in buying the old US Embassy with a view to converting it in luxury flats.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1067285/Businessmen-plan-convert-US-Embassy-site-expensive-flats-world.html

Sadly the new US Embassy in Berlin is awful.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Embassy_usa_berlin_north-side.JPG/800px-Embassy_usa_berlin_north-side.JPG

[Zerton]

Is that not Eero Saarinen?

[Ardent]

Is that not Eero Saarinen?

Yes - see link.

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=427&storycode=3121178&c=1

It has been reported that the Candy Brothers may buy the property with a view to turning it in to luxury apartments.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1067285/Businessmen-plan-convert-US-Embassy-site-expensive-flats-world.html

[texcolo]

Dude...

they should move TO the Battersea power station!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Battersea.power.station.london.arp.jpg/739px-Battersea.power.station.london.arp.jpg

[LMich]

The Battersea is one of my favorite pieces of industrial architecture of all time. I have an affinity to it, because my city has(had) a similar architecturally significant power plant (now under renovation) that I've always loved.

[Zerton]

^ and I believe some band named pink floyd liked it also...

[Zerton]

I'm actually beginning a thesis on Saarinen and he actually neglected his other projects at the time to exclusively focus on this building. It's really interesting considering this is the same man who designed the TWA Terminal and the CBS building. I believe he overworked it.

[Ardent]

Dude...

they should move TO the Battersea power station!



I think they may find it difficult to build underground at Battarsea Power Station, the current embassy has three of it's nine floors below ground, and no doubt the new one will have even more, as well as being far more secure. Besides I think the US Embassy is looking for a slightly less high profile building giving the times we are living in.

Here's Rafael Vinoly's controversial proposal for Battersea Power Staton.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/construction_and_property/article4178079.ece

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2008/jun/20/architecture?picture=335166418

http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/artanddesign/gallery/2008/jun/20/architecture/battersea1-6683.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/artanddesign/gallery/2008/jun/20/architecture/battersea3-8445.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/artanddesign/gallery/2008/jun/20/architecture/battersea2-9445.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/artanddesign/gallery/2008/jun/20/architecture/battersea4-475.jpg