david chipperfield gets approval to turn london's US embassy into landmark hotel

david chipperfield is set to convert eero saarinen’s mid-twentieth century building at grosvenor square, which currently serves as the london embassy for the united states.

the project has now received conditional planning permission following public consultation. the existing structure will be renovated and converted into a 137-room hotel with restaurants, retail outlets, and events space.

30 grosvenor square is being backed by qatari diar, who purchased the site following a decision in 2013 by the united states government to relocate its embassy to nine elms in battersea. david chipperfield architects’ transformation seeks to preserve the existing design, while configuring an accessible plan for its new purpose. as part of the project, the embassy’s security features will be removed, allowing the building to reconnect with the adjacent square.

‘the west side of the building will reopen the street, further reintegrating the site to its mayfair surroundings,’ explain the architects. ‘a vertically extended storey with a pavilion above will form a new crown for the building, and the landmark gilded eagle will remain on the façade.’ it is expected that work will start on 30 grosvenor square following the US embassy’s relocation in early 2017.