Former US embassy is set to become new luxury hotel

Will you take a visit to the new hotel?

Qatari-backed developers have been given the go ahead on transforming the former US Embassy in Mayfair into a luxury hotel. This comes as part of a £1bn transformation of Grosvenor Square.

Westminster Council approved the plans to redevelop the building into a 137-room hotel. It will also feature shops, restaurants, a spa and a 1,000-person ballroom.

The work will begin in 2017 once embassy staff make the move to Wandsworth. The development was proposed by Qatar’s real estate company Qatari Diar.

The property has been designed by British architect Sir David Chipperfield.

The building was originally designed by Finnish-American architect and interior designer Eero Saarinen.

The plans state: “The proposed extensions have been carefully designed to respect the retained facades, drawing inspiration from Saarinen’s ideas, and are of high design quality.”

Other plans include the removal of bollards, fences and gates which were built after the 9/11 attacks. Councillors believe these changes will “further enhance this area”.