Developer breaks ground at US Embassy Rosewood hotel site

Developer Qatari Diar broke ground at 30 Grosvenor Square this morning, the former site of the US Embassy which is set to be London's second Rosewood hotel.

The hotel will comprise 137 bedrooms, five restaurants, six retail units, a spa and a ballroom with space for 1,000 guests. It is expected to cost £1b in construction and open in 2023.

British architect Sir David Chipperfield will breathe new life into the Grade II-listed building while retaining the external façade to reimagine the spirit of its original architect Eero Saarinen. The new design will delicately showcase the mid-20th century heritage of the building.

Abdullah Al Attiyah (pictured centre), CEO at Qatari Diar, said: "Today, as we break ground at 30 Grosvenor Square, marks a momentous occasion for Qatari Diar. The opportunity to transform such an iconic address is something that only happens once in a lifetime and we are extremely proud to be responsible for it. We recognise the history of the building and are dedicated to sensitively redeveloping the former US Embassy into a new destination on Grosvenor Square."

Radha Arora (left), president at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, added: "We are excited to open up this historic part of Grosvenor Square once again, for guests and the public to enjoy, creating a welcoming environment that reflects both the historic nature of the building yet also bringing a fresh sensibility to this significant area."

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