Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, the structure had over 600 rooms on nine floors, providing 225,000 square feet of working space for about 750 employees, less than half of whom were American. Only five or six of the floors, including a “penthouse” set back from the facade, were above ground level to conform in height with the surrounding buildings in Grosvenor Square. The remaining floors were below ground.
In the late 1980s, the embassy was served by the Bond Street station, located about a five- to seven-minute walk away.
For security reasons, specific interior room numbers and exact floor assignments are not published in public architectural or historical building records. In the Restless Hearts series, I have placed the main operations of the Regional Security Office on the fourth floor (UK: third storey). I have placed the visa application offices on the first floor (UK: ground floor), with most administrative operations occurring on the first and second basement levels. The Ambassador’s ceremonial office is also on the first floor/ground floor, but the Ambassador’s working office is one floor up.
Image generated by ChatGPTLee Stetson was assigned as the first intelligence liaison officer (a fictional position) in July 1988. Initially, due to limited room, his office was a converted janitorial closet on the fourth floor of the building, down the hallway from the RSO’s office. Although the office was private and secure, its original use was always evident in its design.
Image generated by ChatGPTDuring the same period, Amanda Stetson had a part-time cover position as a clerk processing visa applications. She was assigned a desk on the first basement level. This level also contained her supervisor’s office, a loading dock, and a small research room. While the area was kept in good condition, it was never as luxurious as the office areas above ground — and it was never meant to be.
The Embassy officially opened its new location at 33 Nine Elms Lane on January 16, 2018. The former location, which now has the address of 30 Grosvenor Square, is the Chancery Rosewood, a luxury hotel.
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