Pictured: An artist's impression on how the luxury hotel will look
The home of the US
embassy in Mayfair is set to be redeveloped into a five-star, Qatari-owned
hotel as part of a £1 billion restoration.
American
diplomats will move to new premises in Nine Elms next year and the Grade
II-listed building will be turned into a 137-bedroom hotel with a ballroom
capable of holding up to 1,000 guests.
The plans, which
also include six high-end shops and five restaurants, are expected to be
submitted to Westminster council in May. They form part of a £1 billion development of Grosvenor Square.
The Qatari owners of
the embassy, Qatari Diar, has enlisted British architect Sir David
Chipperfield for the design process.