Does Uncle Sam really want to live in a glass box?

Well, I'm sure it's not entirely made of crystal glass but the new American embassy in London does give the appearance that 'Just William' and his deadly catapult armed with a really tough conker could wreck it in minutes - in fact that gaping hole in the wall looks as though he's had a go already!  Also, my dears, and you will find this hard to believe but its south of the river - yeeeeees, I know 'souf lon'on', shockin', shockin'! - and it's practically next door to Battersea power station:

According to a somewhat grumpy Mr. Philip K. Devoe at The National Revue, the "sugar cube", as Londoners have already named it, cost $1 billion, so I suppose he's entitled to an attack of indigestion!  That price tag makes it not only the most expensive embassy anywhere in the world but also the most expensive American government building anywhere.

Still, it's not all bad news.  I assume that this building presages the redevelopment of that stretch of the South Bank.  I have remarked before that one of my favourite bits of London is the South Bank from Westminster Bridge down to the Globe Theatre.  On a sunny day it is the best and most attractive and relaxing stroll in the city.  So, if they do something along the same lines westwards along the river then once again we will doff our caps in gratitude to 'good ol' Uncle Sam'.  

And it's no good all you 'Yankee-doodles' complaining because that nice Mr. Trump has just given you most of your taxes back - er, sorry, did you say something?

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Whyaxye]

Surely moving the embassy south of the river should kick off a massive intifada and international condemnation from the UN Security Council? Why are the youth of Islington not out with their slingshots and firing home-made rockets into Westminster?

[Whitewall]

Ugly as it is, there's that old saying, "here comes the neighborhood". Redevelopment can be good as long as the huffy sorts don't call it "gentrification".

[backofanenvelope]

On the west side of town, they are well placed for a quick exit via Heathrow.

[Bob]

Our countries' relationship remains "special" if a little bizarre and pricey. Some American investors probably hold land in the area.

[David Duff]

Bob, I gather that part of the reason for that less than salubrious location was because the Duke of Westminster, one of the biggest property magnates 'over here', refused to sell a site in the West End until the American government paid him for the land they stole from his great-great- great-great (and so on) Grandaddy by 'force majeure' in the War of Independence!

[Bob]

David, that could be true, but since the pound took a hit Americans and others have been buying a lot of property in England. Don't be surprised if development around the embassy is largely American owned.

http://www.cityam.com/268054/american-investment-london-property-all-time-high-due-fall

[Whitewall]

Well, before the Big Recession, I and a couple of long time real estate friends were lusting after some property in Costa Rico. I never thought of London.

The link said "Anglophile Yankees"...drop off the 'ees' and that's me. I wonder if there is a REIT for newer London properties? If not, I hear about 2 hours west of London is where some awfully toney sorts reside.

[JK]

Uhm David?

"That price tag makes it not only the most expensive embassy anywhere in the world but also the most expensive American government building anywhere."

Sorry sorry to burst your bubble here on your own blog David but, at $1.6 Billion the US Embassy in Iraq, (so far at any rate) "should be" the most expensive.

Unless of course y'all Britishers got a local of the First Kuwaiti Trading & Contracting conglomerate's union operating there in Londinistan post-Brexit. I mean David, our embassy in Iraq is situated on 104 acres of "prime" Baghdad real estate and there's "accommodations" for a staff of some 16,000. Too our Iraq embassy sports a provision for a battalion of US Marines!

Londinistan being Londinistan even with its (before Trump) Mayor Sadiq Khan being so welcoming and accommodating I can't possibly see how you'd David, think our embassy in your capital could cost more than our's in Iraq?!!!

(Disclaimer: I haven't read Bob's link yet.)

[AussieD]

Haven't walked the bit you talk about Duffers but once many years ago had the [nervous] pleasure of taking a small ship up there. On the wet bit of course.

It was somewhat humbling to follow in the [distant] wake of Nelson, Collingwood, Drake et al.

[jimmy glesga]

It is a fine building when compared with other buildings and there is a lot. I look forward to seeing all the the mad lefties and islamic fascists protesting when the official opening occurs. If it opens mid week then a lot off sick lines will be forwarded to employers.

[AussieD]

Subject: Holiday Greetings
Dear Friends,

I wanted to send out some sort of holiday greeting, but it is so difficult in today's world to know exactly what to say without offending someone and at the same time being politically and socially correct. So I met with an lawyer today and on his/her advice I want to say to all of you:
(Draw your own conclusions)

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, nonaddictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter or summer solstice holiday depending on the hemisphere you are currently in, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2018, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make Australia great (not to imply that Australia is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only "Australia" in the eastern hemisphere) or of any other country in either hemisphere with which you identify, and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting.
My very best regards to you all and your families.

AussieD

[Whitewall]

AussieD, after running your offer by my lawyers who assure me that all bases being sufficiently covered, I may accept your kind regards within the guidelines above.

Thank you and the same to you under the same nonbinding conditions.

[David Duff]

Thank you, AussieD, I could not have put it better myself, not least because I can no longer afford my lawyers!

[missred]

(oh bloody hell) Merry Christmas!

[David Duff]

No, no, dear Miss Red, you mean 'a Bloody Mary Christmas', so start pouring!