Forum Topic

US embassy to up sticks ...to Isleworth?

I quote from C4 SnowMail: "The Americans are selling their embassy in Grosvenor Square, a building which hails from the school of aggressive grotesque architecture. It's a forbidding and unpleasant fortress and absolutely no joy to visit. The US are giving up the attempt to go on maintaining a presence in the centre of the capital of their best friend, and moving off either to Isleworth, near Heathrow, or Greenwich, in the opposite direction. They won't make any money because the fortifications of whatever they build will be so massive. Stephanie West is on the case, asking: is there a hint here concerning US foreign policy?"What are peoples thoughts on this?  Anyone know the site that's they might be considering!?Andrew

Andrew Dakers ● 6604d7 Comments

I HAVE HEARD THAT THEY ARE CONSIDERING CHELSEA BARRACKS!

William Micheal Read ● 6603d

Wouldn't the southern end of Gunnersbury Park provide a good site for a new American Embassy? The capital receipt to Hounslow and Ealing Councils would be just the ticket to bail out the financial problems for the joint parks committee.

John Connelly ● 6603d

The Gilette building's conversion to a hotel is going through the planning process. There is concern at the GLA level that it's unwise to open a hotel in an area poorly served by public transport, and the hotel's developers are in negotiation to try and overcome this.

Matt Harmer ● 6603d

See the thread "Something else to worry about"

Helen Fogarth ● 6603d

I don't know where they are considering, but would have thought the only possibilities were taking over the Gillette site ( did the hotel planning permission get passed ? ; has any stone been turned over on the site yet ?) or a chunk of Syon Park.I suspect they wouldn't want to go too close to Mogden.Nazareth House on the Thames might be pleasant but the roads aren't too good for the Humvees.Any other guesses ?

Tim Henderson ● 6603d

"Anyone know the site that's they might be considering!?"No, but I kinda hope it's in Greenwich.  Better still, Greenwich Village.

Phil Andrews ● 6603d

I noticed this. Glad to see we're reading the same emails.To be honest I see no real advantage in having them locally. A few kudos points maybe but the armed presence and the potential for protests is not worth it surely. And I'm sure we'd get to foot the bill for some of it.Are they paying their congestion charge yet?

Kath Richardson ● 6603d