Last Updated:June 09, 2025, 18:54 IST
A former US Embassy in London’s Grosvenor Square is now a lavish all-suite Rosewood hotel opening this September.
The former US Embassy in London is now a luxury Rosewood hotel.
When celebrated Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen was chosen to design a new US Embassy in London, few could have imagined that decades later, his creation would transform into one of the city’s most opulent hotels. Originally built to house all arms of the Embassy under one roof in a manner befitting the classic architecture of Grosvenor Square, the Chancery is about to begin a dazzling new chapter as a Rosewood hotel.
A Diplomatic Landmark Reimagined
Constructed to accommodate 750 staff across 600 rooms and nine floors—three of them underground—the Saarinen-designed embassy stood as a symbol of modernist power from 1960 until 2017. After the Embassy shifted to Nine Elms in 2018, the question lingered: What next for one of London’s most fortified buildings?
The answer: a sumptuous reinvention.
Come September, The Chancery Rosewood will welcome its first guests, offering a world of refined indulgence where diplomatic decorum once reigned. The stark brutalism of the original structure has been softened with glittering chandeliers, marble finishes, and bespoke interiors worthy of royalty or at least billionaires.
A Qatari Vision with Global Flair
The ambitious transformation was spearheaded by Qatari Diar, a real estate powerhouse backed by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund. Undertaking the complex task of reimagining such a fortified site, they enlisted Rosewood Hotels renowned for their elegant, culture-rich hospitality to helm the property.
In a carefully calibrated balance of heritage and modern luxury, Rosewood has preserved several American architectural elements. The building’s striking aluminium eagle, created by Polish-American sculptor Theodore Roszak, still crowns the rooftop with its 35-foot wingspan. Statues of Presidents Eisenhower and Reagan, icons of the square’s past identity as “Little America,” have been respectfully reinstalled.
A Global Design Collaboration
The restoration of the building’s façade and structure was led by acclaimed British architect Sir David Chipperfield, while the lush interiors both in suites and public spaces bear the unmistakable signature of French interior maestro Joseph Dirand.
Inside, The Chancery Rosewood will feature eight world-class dining and drinking venues. Among them: the London debut of Manhattan’s beloved Carbone and an upscale Asian concept. A highlight of the property is a lavish underground wellness retreat complete with a 25-metre pool—just one of the many luxuries tucked beneath the surface.
A Palace of Suites
This isn’t just any five-star hotel—it’s an all-suite destination. Guests can choose from Junior Suites, Suites, Signature Suites, and ultra-luxurious Houses. The crown jewels of the hotel are the Charles House and Elizabeth House penthouses, grand tributes to British royalty.
For those who wish to indulge, a night in one of these expansive penthouses starts at £17,000 (roughly ₹20 lakh), with top-tier rates reaching £24,000 (around ₹28 lakh), subject to seasonal shifts.
Even the most modest option—the Junior Suite—begins at a lofty £1,520 per night (₹1.76 lakh), making The Chancery Rosewood a playground for the global elite.
Where History Meets Haute Hospitality
With its storied past, architectural pedigree, and bold reinvention, The Chancery Rosewood is poised to become one of London’s most exclusive addresses. From diplomatic history to decadent luxury, this grand transformation is as much a symbol of modern ambition as it is a tribute to timeless design.
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
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