The Secret Security of America's London Embassy
Vložit
- čas přidán 30. 04. 2024
- This is how the US built its most hi-tech and controversial embassy.
Skip the waitlist and invest in blue-chip art for the very first time by signing up for Masterworks - www.masterworks.art/theb1m
This video contains paid promotion for Masterworks. Purchase shares in great masterpieces from artists like Pablo Picasso, Banksy, Andy Warhol, and more. See important Masterworks disclosures - www.masterworks.com/cd
Full story here - theb1m.com/video/the-secret-a...
Additional footage and images courtesy of TRT World, Channel 4, CBS, The Walt Disney Company, Google Earth, HBO
Research sources:
Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown (2022) thelondonspy.com/blog/a-deal-...
www.ft.com/content/aece06c6-f...
www.harvarddesignmagazine.org...
www.theguardian.com/theguardi...
www.lambeth.gov.uk/planning-a...
uk.usembassy.gov/new-embassy-...
For more by The B1M subscribe now - bit.ly/the-b1m
We're raising awareness of construction's mental health crisis through our Get Construction Talking initiative. There’s a video series on our channel and you can find support or donate at - www.getconstructiontalking.org/
Follow Get Construction Talking
Instagram - / getconstructiontalking
Twitter - / getconsttalking
LinkedIn - / about
Listen to The World's Best Construction Podcast by The B1M
Apple - apple.co/3OssZsH
Spotify - spoti.fi/3om1NkB
Amazon Music - amzn.to/3znmBP4
View this video and more at - www.TheB1M.com/
Follow us on Twitter - / theb1m
Like us on Facebook - / theb1m
Follow us on TikTok - / theb1m
Follow us on LinkedIn - / the-b1m-ltd
Follow us on Instagram - / theb1m
The B1M Merch store - theb1m.creator-spring.com/
#construction #architecture #london
0:00 Intro
1:25 London Embassies
3:44 Little America
5:41 Masterworks
6:58 Sarf London
9:21 The Secret Fortress
11:49 Outro
We welcome you sharing our content to inspire others, but please be nice and play by our rules - www.theb1m.com/guidelines-for-...
Our content may only be embedded onto third party websites by arrangement. We have established partnerships with domains to share our content and help it reach a wider audience. If you are interested in partnering with us please contact Video@TheB1M.com.
Ripping and/or editing this video is illegal and will result in legal action.
© 2023 The B1M Limited
Skip the waitlist and invest in blue-chip art for the very first time by signing up for Masterworks 👉 www.masterworks.art/theb1m
Why would you tell us "secrets" from anything suppose to be secrets ? Who are you and why would you do that ?
Maybe you can get some of your country back.
@TheB1M, there's a building in Amsterdam, it's a novelty, it has literally a broken design. Could you do some coverage on that building, please.
Me and my workmate used to play "spot the spook" whenever we took lunchbreaks while working on lifts on Grosvenor Square in front of the old embassy!
@@waitingforanalibi2224 Now I bet ya play spot the non imitategrant.
8:11 "It's Birmingham" I'm dying. Best little side joke in a B1M video ever.
Fantastic shade to Birmingham, indeed. Ah, you get no love, Brummie.
I died laughing at this
That and the “my holiday in nine elms” clip
He was to hard on Birmingham 😂😂😂
That delivery of "South London..." by Fred was absolute gold
More like brass. Tired cliche.
@@Ornette14 That's what someone from South London would say
youmean "Sauff Lundon Mate !!!!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
East end boy and west end girls... ;)
for US, having an embassy in UK is like having a room in their parent's house. 'Special Relationship'.
After you kick your parents out of your house
@@TheSpacePyramids more after your relatives kick your parrents out, the us always forgets how France and Spain helped them extremly much
@@LadyZeldaiaTHE USA, the greatest country ever known to mankind getting help from others? Blasphemous
We have to live at home to take care of deteriorating parents 🥱
@@LadyZeldaiaWe know, we just don’t care.
Have to renew a US visa from time to time, the new Embassy in London is a vast upgrade from the loud, echoey, uncomfortable old facilities. Did not like the location, but prefer how they handle the people.
This ^^
The US embassy (unlike many others) is mostly there to process huge numbers of visas, it has to serve a functional purpose beyond dinners for trade attaches. I work in Philadelphia and visited the old embassy a lot, it was nice but showing its age and really not the best location. For what it's worth, the UK's building in Croydon for US people needing paperwork is awful and very utilitarian, at least the US built something decent.
@@CalvinsWorldNews yup and I think the new embassy will help push the development of the area.
Most likely lowering crime rates and increasing the general income of the district. What ambassadors have expensive tastes.
"Mr. Nicholas Burke Gaffney", if that's his real name, took me for over £23,000 and has failed to return any of my calls or emails. If any of you are in contact with him let him know that I have my southside friends looking for him. He can pay me back or find it hard to walk without pain again.
Report all this lame spam
The way things are going in the UK it looks like they were right to take security seriously. Place is full of Islamists and the government seems to have given up trying to do anything about it. They're toothless.
Thanks for using some of our drone footage for this video! It's great to see it incorporated into such a fantastic edit. 10/10!
How did you get the footage so close to the embassy without the drones being jammed and you being placed in handcuffs? lol I assume a permit of some sort?
@@caliado Hi there! Thanks for your question, yes indeed, we had to fill out many permits to get this approved. However, I was always still wary of black SUVs turning up at my location. 😄
Yeah but what a cool story if they did 😂 @@DroneMotion
When the US approached the UK government about their choice for the new embassy location. It fulfilled their priority requirements…
They could dig as deep as they wanted with no infrastructure problems (7 times deeper than high above ground). Near the Thames for helicopter access in emergencies, paid for by sale of Grosvenor Square property entirely, they got their own design, size and scale of surroundings before anything else built around, now several new embassies are opening nearby and more to come.
The US never owned the building on grosvenor square, leae hlder only (99 year lease that was about to run out)_
@@reknakfarg7252 With British property law, a lease is ownership, for a limited time. Selling the property with a lease is selling the property, with a time limit for rights of ownership. It sold for over £1 Billion. It self financed the move entirely (officially)
@@reknakfarg7252Nobody owns anything in Mayfair. Every house/apartment/commercial property is leased. You can buy and sell the leasehold title
@@markfrancis5164An important legal distinction. A lease holder owns the lease, not the property.
@@ElusiveTyDoes it change the fact that the US sold its ownership of the Grosvenor building?
I think this is a huge upgrade. The old chancery seems like a blight on the historic neighborhood and much more imposing than the current structure, which is surrounded by comparable new developments. Rising from industry and distancing itself from the rest is distinctly American and reminiscent of its history over the past century, while the use of obscure security features while maintaining a friendly appearance is indicative of America's current stance on the world stage.
As an American I found the fact that they were withdrawing from public protests into an even more impenetrable fortress fairly symbolic. The vast majority of us are highly dissatisfied with our government as they seek to only satisfy the interests of the ultra wealthy, while a trip to the hospital can easily cause bankruptcy. Our needs fall on deaf ears.
@@alastairhewitt380you’re watching too much fear mongering faux-outrage fake news my man. The irony in what you said is the people force feeding you that BS are the ones trying to destroy the middle class for the benefit of the wealthiest 1%. Go look up the newer inheritance tax law. They pay ZERO inheritance taxes & it only applies to the ultra wealthy. Guess who makes up difference? CONGRATULATIONS you guessed it! That’s at least $100B a year right now…
They distract everyone with fear mongering BS & outrage politics while robbing us blind. Donald Trump admitted to tax fraud, & the majority of what he’s charged with including bank fraud, in front of the press after the very first day of his court case: claiming Mar-A-Lago is worth over $1B and takes loans out against that value (bank fraud) while at the same time telling the IRS Mar-A-Lago is only worth around $15-20M & only paying taxes on that figure (tax fraud). The property is worth around $25M. There are nearby properties that are better than Mar-A-Lago that are worth about $30-35M so claiming a $1B value to German & now Chinese banks is ludicrous.
@@alastairhewitt380 Pulling out of the elegant Grosvenor Square building in favour of a gadgety high-tech fortress suggests that you’re cowering in fear of all them damn foreigners you’ve pissed off over the past few decades.
You’d probably be able to have something just as useful, but much cheaper, if only you’d behave like a normal country, instead of a conceited bully.
@@alastairhewitt380 Nobody asked, you're finding meaning in something that isn't related
Excellent synopsis on the old & new buildings, I completely agree
The contraptions over the windows look more like stylised RPG protection rather than "for birds".
It's shade for the windows on the South and West side. That's why there's none on the other faces.
For the notorious RPG problem that Britain has....
@@jonfisher9214 it's on 3 sides on the cube... its shown in a diagram in this video
We have unfortunately a lot of new residents here who may be familiar with the RPG. @@babalonkie
Very informative. I worked in Grosvenor Square for 3 years during the time of 9/11 and the embassy required increased protection. It was clear it would have to move as increasing numbers of security barriers were put in place.
The day the world changed for the worst. Fast forward to today with open borders. But don't panic, our leaders know what they're doing 🤔
I used to be a delivery driver around Mayfair back then, I remember all the road closures and added security and police around there. Was a right pain!
Texas, that was once a republic, actually had an embassy in London in the 1830s
Really clever design to make the building approachable but extremely safe. Too many embassies have high cement fences and look like prisons. US embassy in Singapore for example. I used to live in Vauxhall in the 2000s, and the change in Nine Elms is incredible, Sainsbury used to have a huge empty car park and there were a lot of unproductive empty warehouses, now there is housing and luxury housing worth a fortune. Good to see a positive change there!
Where is the affordable housing? Between the Battersea Power Station redevelopment and Nine Elms there is a paltry provision of homes for those who need it in a city with a severe housing crisis. This isn't the positive change you think it is.
@@djturbine7565 good point, its not a positive change for the whole community. I just meant on a development scale, there used to be empty factories and car parks there that didn't make use of the space. Fred did a show on Battersea and the misuse of the term "affordable housing", it should be helping the whole community.
The warehouses were only empty because the property developers took them over when the leases ran out and they were awaiting development. The area has lost its character, there are no job opportunities for local people except cleaning and it has become a yuppie playground (like much of London in the last 30 years).
great video. I was walking around here 2 weeks ago, checking it (the US Embassy), and Battersea power station, out. Impressive how they rebuilt and washed the towers etc, of the power station
The didn't just wash the towers, they were totally rebuilt
The weirdest embassy in London is the North Korean one in Ealing. I’ve driven past it several times and it just looks like a regular house but it has the NK flag flying outside
It shows how little importance they give to our country or maybe they can't afford luxury
I'm surprised it's not in a tool shed behind a fast food establishment next to the trash bin...
The new location for the chancery also had to deal with available connections to an Internet cable. The American chancery in London is the data processing center for European theater and European intelligence, sent back to CONUS. The data quantities are vast, and this was a major constraint in the older chancery.
Welp at least the new one is better suited for it.
Yeah there are all kinds of smaller considerations for buildings like that as opposed to things like how it looks or if it's in a prestigious location. It's easy to criticize things one doesn't understand. You can't have everything.
Yeah, the new site was probably picked by the NSA.
I love that the old embassy looks totally out of place in Mayfair, but it'd blend in anonymously if it was in L'Enfant plaza in DC.
Love your videos Fred. Such a pleasure to watch them. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much mate 🙌
@@TheB1M I unsubbed bc of this video, been meaning to do it for a while. Cunts like Fred are just licking ass crumbs.
This was so interesting for me to watch. My grandfather was a diplomat back in the 50s and they got to do some pretty amazing things and lived all over the world
The production quality keeps getting better 😊
Thank you so much!
The audio quality on this video is pretty bad. Can’t Unterstand what he’s saying in the intro …
You should also check out the new American Embassy in Oslo. They did the exact same thing as in London; sold their prestigious building in one of the most expensive neighbourhoods near the Kings Castle, only to build a new fortressed embassy outside the city centre.
Almost like they are scared of something 😂
@@OneEyedMonkey9000it’s called prudence
@@OneEyedMonkey9000not scared, just thoroughly prepared
@@OneEyedMonkey9000imagine misunderstanding America's defense posture for being scared. Talk about foolish....
@@nolongerblocked6210America being the world hegemon means nobody likes it lmao
Crazy how places like the us embassy can be really fresh and clean and also so well protected.
Really sad tbh 😭
america has built an amazing consulate in hyderabad,india as well . the city from which the most students come to america from as well .
Don’t come!… Stay in India & make your country better because it needs to get better, much better!
@@aheat3036 They come here and get the education then go back to India. We (the US) educate a lot of people that don't end up contributing to the country after graduation. The US is by far the country with the most international students. We are really bad at retaining them though, some of that has to do with how much of a pain it is for the student to stay in the country (getting a work visa) after their studies are finished.
I've been inside and it's a fascinating building. I worked for the developer who built the Embassy Gardens (Sky Pool) project opposite. I had to liaise with their security staff a few times regarding logistics etc. and we were kindly invited for a tour of the building with the head of security.
As a Finn, I'm really surprised that a Finnish-American architect designed the old embassy... Thanks for sharing it! TMYK...
Saarinnen was very popular. His style was very avant garde. His TWA terminal at Idlewilde Airport that became JFK airport, was considered very future and is still iconic to this day.
Saarannien was the ultimate futurist. Loved his designs.
Came for the embassy, stayed for the excellent London shots 👌
That embassy building strongly resembles the Orrin Hatch US Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City. It's a very similar glass cube elevated on an artificial hill surrounded by defensive fortifications.
The courthouse opened in 2014, a few years before the embassy.
The new federal court house in Los Angeles is also a cube. And, no, you can't visit it. I think the US, in general, has over-reacted from 9/11. It's a pity.
It’s very cool that the U.S. used a host of traditional U.K. design techniques. The intermingling of the trees is a subtly great statement.
My Brit wife and I really miss the 'old' building at Grosvenor Sq. It had an atmosphere of prestige and a presence that's difficult to describe. The American Grill downstairs was a special treat for us (and the occasional guest) whenever we traveled into London from my office in Eastcote and later from my office on Grosvenor Sq. located just across the street from the embassy. It was the 'best of times'! 🇺🇸 🇬🇧
You can tell b1m's British roots. The joy in one's voice in explaining london history unknown to most Americans. Enjoyed this episode.
Thanks, Fred and B1M!
Totally off-topic: Hearing of Mayfair made me think of Warren Zevon and werewolves: "Lately, he's been overheard in Mayfair."
Makes me think of the ambulance service in the old TV show "Emergency". But that IS a good song!
His hair was perfect.
Fascinating episode, as ever.
For my money, the new embassy is a brilliant looking building and the immediate gardens / security features very attractive. The whole ensemble fits in very well with the new surroundings and is an excellent destination (for an outside viewing) if you have a couple of hours to spare in London.
Agreed, had a look at it myself, a fine example of modern architecture. The landscaping is well done too. I was surprised that some paths through the grounds were open to use.
So nice to see you get much joy from creating this content!! ❤
Surely the reason black cab drivers are reluctant to go south of the river late at night is because they don't expect to pick up a fare travelling in the opposite direction, so the trip won't be cost effective, not because Battersea is like Mordor. I suppose the new Battersea Power Station redevelopment takes the sting out of the "nothing here" notion, although granted that doesn't compare with chi chi Mayfair.
Yep Battersea is truly gentrified now
I know the castle motif kind of goes against our whole justification of existence symbolically, but a full on castle would’ve looked amazing.
Interesting. I've spent a lot of time in the last couple of years working in the former FORMER US Embassy, and former Canadian High Commission on the opposite side of Grosvenor Square, which has now been converted into a luxury residential development. It'll be interesting to see how the new hotel turns out.
In this 12+ minute video, only about 2 minutes were actually dedicated to "The Secret Architecture of America’s $1BN Fortress". In total the time spent talking about specifically the new embassy probably didn't even reach 4 minutes. That's garbage, not going to lie.
This is the sad reality of videos nowadays, extended with irrelevant information or repeating things in different ways. It's annoying.
I don’t mean to sound rude but this is worded very weird. Is it two minutes or four?
The fact that we get free videos from The B1M on CZcams is priceless, keeping the education and knowledge alive. 🙏🙏🙏
The introduction of a Bitcoin ETF marks a groundbreaking moment in the cryptocurrency world, merging digital currencies with traditional investment methods. This innovation could stabilize Bitcoin prices and broaden its appeal to a wider range of investors, potentially increasing demand and value. At the heart of this evolution is Jason graystone fx, whose deep understanding of both cryptocurrency and traditional trading has been instrumental. His holistic approach to investment and commitment to staying abreast of market trends make her an invaluable ally in navigating this new era in cryptocurrency investment.
Jason graystone fx
WhatI appreciate about Jason graystone fx is his ability to tailor strategies to individual needs. He recognizes that each investor has unique goals and risk tolerances, and he adapts his advice accordingly
In a field as rapidly evolving as cryptocurrency, staying updated is crucial. Jason Graystone fx continual research and adaptation to the latest market changes have been instrumental in helping me make informed decisions
jason. is about limiting losses when you're wrong and maximising gains when you're right, not about being correct all of the time
شيء واحد أعرفه على وجه اليقين هو أن التشفير موجود ليبقى ، والشيء الوحيد الذي يترك هو الأشخاص الذين لا يديرون مخاطرهم. قم بإدارة ذلك ، أو سيديره السوق نيابة عنك. مع الاستراتيجيات الصحيحة سوف تنجو
Loved the video, but one point has me pondering. Florida, while a British colony during the War of Independence (Spain ceded Florida to England at the Peace of Paris of 1763) did not rebel against the Crown. Spain then got Florida back with the Treaty of Paris of 1783. So how exactly were the Duke of Westminster lands seized?
1:45 No, it isn't. The building itself is called the Embassy/Consulate. The people that work in the building are either an Ambassador or consular agent
@TheB1M we can even tell when the drone shots were made looking at the progress of the surrounding construction sites. I am delivering the office block you see wrapped in white in the middle of the screen at 9.18. its completing this month. Let me know if that would be of interest to visitnit and to talk about what developers are doing about ESG (we are one if a few breeam outstanding buildings for example) and about how covid accelerated a new trend of welness for the occupiers (this project was redesigned and launched during the pandemic)
It’s a lot prettier in person than what the video can prove! It’s also walking distance from Chelsea and Mayfair, so not really far.
As someone who has been in the old building, this is much nicer.
Thanks, Fred. Very interesting. I've heard bits and pieces about the Chancery (hehehehe) but I appreciate the context you gave, both historical and current.
You can trust the great USA to build the BIGGEST embassy in London
Thanks Fred!
You need a part2 with all the very plausible rumors! I'm talking Thames and rail/tube access, and there's NO WAY that faraday-cage--like screening is just for looks.
It's not , it's a simple reason
That was really cool. A combination lesson on history & construction. Made a great lunch time Video! Thanks, B1M 👍
As someone who lives near Philly, it was odd hearing him say “you’ll be in excellent company in Kensington”
Our Kensington is a lot different from yours though. I've seen those videos 😉
This building has one weakness. An attack by bicycle or horse. You could easily ride through those concrete blocks.
And no one expects a cavalry attack in the 21st century.
Fantastic episode as always; would’ve loved to see more about the tech inside but I think that’s above our cumulative pay grade
I was a marine security guard at the grosevnor sq location during the final construction of the new building. It was impressive, but having to leave the marine flats in Mayfair and live inside the new embassy would not have been worth it lol.
After nearly 50 years Fred and having just watched this video I’ve finally found out what the name ha ha road in Charlton, London actually meant 😂😂always a great watch, stay safe David 👍
I read at the time that one of the reasons the embassy relocated to Battersea was to avoid the London congestion charge. The Americans had run up a large debt for none payment.
He ya I heard the debt was large. And it’s a endless stream of city complaints of “PAY YOUR FINE”
And “Diplomatic immunity”
And the thing is it was only the city of London/London that tried to enforce it.
Does diplomatic immunity mean that one doesn't have to pay bills or fines?
@@Shinkajoyea
@Shinkajo No. Diplomats are supposed to pay things like parking fines. Some do and some don't. They don't have to pay things like VAT.
@@michaelmontagu3979 why tho the VAT part
I think one thing that you can see at 11:51 if you pause the video is how easy it is for the eye to move over the building. Try to find it by scanning the screen and you can only do it because of the one dark corner. Otherwise, it blends witht the Thames. I personally like the embassy and its design elements are very uniquely done
No, NO, NOOOOOOO. Not "very uniquely", just "uniquely". Uni means one
Traveling by on the local trainline daily I watched this being built. Interesting internal structure and not as large as it appears.
Hey Fred - just an idea, can you create a video on the Battersea development?
I had some early inside knowledge of the development and at that time it looked like a failure. I haven't heard anything since that I have only heard that it's been 'just okay'.
We have it already! Watch it here - czcams.com/video/6nzzUmhs2rc/video.html
Great Video, I had always thought it was a bubble-wrapped Borg Cube. The comparison to the Tower of London is a lot more flattering.
Great video. I had to go there shortly after it opened. I found it oppressive and impressive in equal measure.
I liked the slightly new format/delivery of this video/the last couple.
Fred is a very good presenter 😌.
none of us will know but if its this fancy on the outside. i cant even begin to imagine the inside and how deep it goes.
'its Birmingham'. Best bit of extra subtle comedy I've seen this week. Top marks
Wikipedia
American presence
Macdonald House, which has since been demolished, was used as the U.S. Embassy from 1938 to 1960, and then by the High Commission of Canada from 1961 to 2014
Grosvenor Square was long a center of American presence in London beginning when John Adams established the first American mission to the Court of St. James's in 1785. Adams lived, from 1785 to 1788, in the house which still stands on the corner of Brook and Duke Streets.
During the Second World War American general Dwight D. Eisenhower established a military headquarters at 20 Grosvenor Square, and during this time the square was nicknamed "Eisenhower Platz".[9] Until 2009, the United States Navy continued to use this building as its headquarters for United States Naval Forces Europe. A statue of wartime president Franklin D. Roosevelt sculpted by Sir William Reid Dick stands in the square, as does a later statue of Eisenhower, and a statue of president Ronald Reagan.[10] The square also contains the Eagle Squadrons Memorial.
The former United States Embassy of 1938-1960 on the square was purchased by the Canadian government and renamed Macdonald House. It was part of the Canadian High Commission in London until 2014, when all the functions of the Canadian High Commission were transferred to Canada House in Trafalgar Square.
The former American embassy building (1960-2018) on the western side of Grosvenor Square is now a hotel
In 1960, a new United States Embassy was built on the western side of Grosvenor Square. This was a large and architecturally significant modern design by Eero Saarinen, being at the time a controversial insertion into a mainly Georgian and neo-Georgian district of London. In March and October 1968, there were large demonstrations in the square against US involvement in the Vietnam War. On both occasions, the protest became violent.[11] After 2001 a series of anti-terrorist devices were installed around the embassy, and the road running along the front of the building was closed completely to traffic. In 2006, the Grosvenor Square Safety Group residents association took out advertisements in The Washington Post and The Times, accusing the Metropolitan Police and local government of a "moral failure" for not closing two other roads adjacent to the embassy.[12]
In 2008, the United States Government chose a site for a new embassy in the Nine Elms area of the London Borough of Wandsworth, south of the River Thames. Construction of the new Embassy of the United States in London began in 2013, with relocation completed by 2017. In October 2009, following a recommendation by English Heritage, the Saarinen designed building was granted Grade II listed status.[13] The listing means that the new owners will not be allowed to change the facade, which includes the 35-foot-wingspread gilded-aluminium eagle that hovers above the main entrance. In November 2009, the Grosvenor Square property was purchased by the Qatari Diar investment group.[14]
Macdonald House, which has since been demolished, was used as the U.S. Embassy from 1938 to 1960, and then by the High Commission of Canada from 1961 to 2014
Grosvenor Square was long a center of American presence in London beginning when John Adams established the first American mission to the Court of St. James's in 1785. Adams lived, from 1785 to 1788, in the house which still stands on the corner of Brook and Duke Streets.
During the Second World War American general Dwight D. Eisenhower established a military headquarters at 20 Grosvenor Square, and during this time the square was nicknamed "Eisenhower Platz".[9] Until 2009, the United States Navy continued to use this building as its headquarters for United States Naval Forces Europe. A statue of wartime president Franklin D. Roosevelt sculpted by Sir William Reid Dick stands in the square, as does a later statue of Eisenhower, and a statue of president Ronald Reagan.[10] The square also contains the Eagle Squadrons Memorial.
The former United States Embassy of 1938-1960 on the square was purchased by the Canadian government and renamed Macdonald House. It was part of the Canadian High Commission in London until 2014, when all the functions of the Canadian High Commission were transferred to Canada House in Trafalgar Square.
The former American embassy building (1960-2018) on the western side of Grosvenor Square is now a hotel
In 1960, a new United States Embassy was built on the western side of Grosvenor Square. This was a large and architecturally significant modern design by Eero Saarinen, being at the time a controversial insertion into a mainly Georgian and neo-Georgian district of London. In March and October 1968, there were large demonstrations in the square against US involvement in the Vietnam War. On both occasions, the protest became violent.[11] After 2001 a series of anti-terrorist devices were installed around the embassy, and the road running along the front of the building was closed completely to traffic. In 2006, the Grosvenor Square Safety Group residents association took out advertisements in The Washington Post and The Times, accusing the Metropolitan Police and local government of a "moral failure" for not closing two other roads adjacent to the embassy.[12]
In 2008, the United States Government chose a site for a new embassy in the Nine Elms area of the London Borough of Wandsworth, south of the River Thames. Construction of the new Embassy of the United States in London began in 2013, with relocation completed by 2017. In October 2009, following a recommendation by English Heritage, the Saarinen designed building was granted Grade II listed status.[13] The listing means that the new owners will not be allowed to change the facade, which includes the 35-foot-wingspread gilded-aluminium eagle that hovers above the main entrance. In November 2009, the Grosvenor Square property was purchased by the Qatari Diar investment group.[14]” Wikipedia
Thanks for presenting the truth rather than the leering innuendo that is typical in these videos.
LOVED this! I really enjoy on-location B1M videos
The new embassy is beautiful and a superb design.
You did a brilliant job covering the history of our U.S. Embassy in South London!
Well done, Sir!
Always a treat when I get a new morning upload from you!
Ah thanks, enjoy!
yeh, the guy makes some of the best content on YT. Always so interesting
very interesting ... I wonder what other modern buildings draw so much from castles and fortresses?
There is also another 'Little America' in Suffolk where over 50,000 American soldiers arrived in 1942 in what became known as the "friendly invasion". Still a large US influence there today.
It is a good day when B1M uploads a video on a Monday 😊
You should see the US embassy in Mozambique.
Imagine telling the cab driver you are going to the US embassy and then you end up in Mayfair
My knowledge of London geography is practically nil, but the instant I heard the word, "Vauxhall," my first thought was, "I wonder how far from MI6... yep; there's the overhead shot."
I forget exactly where, but England recognized the Republic of Texas and allowed an embassy. Probably not a topic for B1M, but a nod would have been nice.
Please do a series about embassies! The German one in The Hague looks fascinating. Many embassies in Berlin are pieces of architectural art too.
I worked on the job, with a few of my workmates from the N/E of England. Good job security was mental but that's to be expected I suppose. Everyone had to be thoroughly screened.
Say what you want about ads, but that was the smoothest transition I've ever seen.
Have a great New Year Fred. And as always thanks for sharing your great content.
It's also a short walk to MI6 headquarters...
The US did something the UK couldn’t do. Made London slightly better.
Not sure you’ve ever been to London
can you talk about the american embassy in Nigeria next, cause they're basically doing this again but even bigger, way more bigger
i don't like concrete-and-glass box buildings of modern architecture, but this one is just gorgeous
I always thought Australia House was the best place in London to have an embassy.
That'd just be the best embassy in London😁
Surely, it's Canada House, overlooking Trafalgar Square.
I’m glad real estate agent Fred can explain the unexplainable so well.
What tops a US embassy in GB is a High Commission in Canberra.
In what sense?
@@_JohnDoe 'cause it's a chancery among the buddies of The Commonwealth.
One detail you left out of your very well done video is the £1B+ Russia essentially wasted buying up surrounding property though I imagine they made a decent profit selling them (though time is more valuable in that line of work).
It wasn’t Miami, but what are today the states of Virginia, North & South Carolina.
p.s. I would hardly describe Belgravia and Mayfair as west London, despite the ‘W’ in their postcodes.
They literally put in a moat.
Wouldn't be the first, I know the Beijing embassy has fish ponds dug around its buildings 🐠
"It's Birmingham" 🤣
8:30 Classic! Oh the good ol' days ❤
12 min video contains 2 mins of ‘secret architecture’ info.
9:26 "The rock solid nature of American Democracy" - I'm an American and it pains me to say that after the last election, I feel this building is more rock solid than my own government
with all the Garrymandering, Ellectoral College and the failed coup d'etat, it's as solid as foundation of a certain Tower in Pisa
@@enisra_bowman Probably less; work has actually been done on stabilizing the Tower.
' Special Friends ' 😂
I love this channel and I never miss an episode. I'm curious, where does the name B1M come from?
2:03: Homer’s always the patriot, isn’t he?
Whoo hoo!
😂
It’s funny I’m right next to it as we speak I work in Nine Elms
Biggest laughs:
-That shot of Waitrose
-The Birmingham dig
Not to mentioned, around the Us embassy, the luxury embassy garden and the luxury apartments nearby like the One Thames City newly buildbuilt with Chinese developer and lived with quite alot of Chinese students.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:01 🏛️ *US Embassy in London introduction*
- Symbolizes America abroad.
- One of the most technologically advanced embassies.
- Discusses unique location and history.
01:42 🌐 *Establishing an Embassy and Location*
- Explains embassy establishment and perks.
- Highlights West London location.
03:19 🏘️ *Historical Background of Embassy's Location*
- Traces historical connection to Mayfair.
- Describes architecture and land ownership.
05:20 💰 *Wealth and Investment Insights*
- Discusses wealth and investing opportunities.
06:46 🔒 *Security Upgrades and Challenges*
- Explains post-9/11 security concerns.
- Discusses protests and the need to move.
08:12 🏙️ *Choosing a New Location*
- Talks about the decision to move to South London.
09:33 🏰 *Architecture and Security Features*
- Describes architectural features and security measures.
11:23 🏢 *Symbolism and Criticisms*
- Discusses symbolism and criticism.
12:13 💼 *Sponsorship and Conclusion*
- Mentions sponsorship and encourages subscribing.
Made with HARPA AI
Hey Fred - Look into the Hyper-Kamkiokande project in Japan. They're excavating right now and it's defo worthy of a piece on this channel. Largest man-made underground cavern in the world making space for a beautiful physics experiment too.
Vauxhall USED to be a fairly rough, factory-filled area. I moved to London in 2015 and happened to move to an area within walking distance of Vauxhall. So I saw the demolition of the old disused markets and things. There used to be just one solitary residential tower in the area. The cylindrical one. Now, the entire area is luxury high-rise apartment blocks.
I'm not sure whether the new embassy caused the gentrification of the area, or whether it simply magnified and accelerated a process that was already happening anyway. But I would never characterise Vauxhall (and Nine Elms, which is what they renamed the specific part of Vauxhall where the Embassy is) as a bad area.
It sits in probably the biggest urban renewal areas of all of the UK. It's pricey, and upmarket. Just very modern upmarket compared to Mayfair, which is old-school upmarket
Fred! Love starting my week with one of your videos.