"The use of concrete is very interesting..."

[swamp]

US embassy wins listed status

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...sted-status.do

The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square has been protected with listed status, it emerged today.

Architecture Minister Margaret Hodge revealed she had given the landmark Mayfair structure a Grade II listing to preserve it for future generations.

She told Building Design: "The use of concrete is very interesting and for me it has got historical connections. I well remember the anti-Vietnam protests there in 1968."

The move could slash the £500 million the US government had hoped to make from selling the building because redevelopment options will be limited. The embassy will move to Nine Elms, south London, in 2016.

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I actually feel sorry for the Americans. They are trying to do the right thing buy building a shiny new embassy in Wandsworth away from everyone else and their uber-prime real estate plot has been ruined.

[lilelvis2000]

Ahh that "special relationship"..how to win and lose friends in an instant.

I've gone past it a couple of times and never really thought much of it really. Does the grade listing just for the concrete barriers around it?

[thunderlizard]

There's more concrete round it than in it.

[xoggoth]

I went to a protest there once. Can't remember what we were protesting at but I used to be very committed to some cause or other once. I think.

[thunderlizard]

The Battle of Lexington?

[Sysman]

I actually feel sorry for the Americans. They are trying to do the right thing buy building a shiny new embassy in Wandsworth away from everyone else and their uber-prime real estate plot has been ruined.

Eh? After they gave us the subprime mess I'm not sorry if they lose the odd 500 mill.

[swamp]

Eh? After they gave us the subprime mess I'm not sorry if they lose the odd 500 mill.

How is the subprime mess all the American's fault?

[xoggoth]

A good deal was as I understand it although stupid UK banks did buy the bad debts.

[swamp]

A good deal was as I understand it although stupid UK banks did buy the bad debts.

There are rotten investments in countries all round the World. Doesn't mean one should go round and sabotage a countries embassy plans if you burnt by an investment in their domain.

If you invested your hard-earned wedge in this would you go and steal a wheelie bin from here?

[dinker]

How is the subprime mess all the American's fault?

How about this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Reinvestment_Act