Most people, including probably 99% of the population of America, think that the old American Embassy, in Grosvenor Square, London was built on land that belonged to the United States of America.
As is the case, I believe, of all of the other American embassies throughout the world.
But this Embassy in Grosvenor Square, built in 1960, did not sit on land owned by the USA.
As is the case, I believe, of all of the other American embassies throughout the world.
But this Embassy in Grosvenor Square, built in 1960, did not sit on land owned by the USA.
Why not? Well, because the land is owned by the Duke of Westminster's Grosvenor Estate and they never sell Freeholds of their land.
The American government made a song and dance about this as they wanted to 'own' this piece of land and petitioned Parliament in order to make the Grosvenor comply with their wish to 'own' the land.
However, the Duke of Westminster and the trustees of the Grosvenor Estate had, up their sleeves, a bargaining tool that was all powerful.
It was this.. 'The Grosvenor Estate will sell you the freehold of this plot of land in return of properties in America that were stolen from our family after the War of Independence - 1776.'
The American government knew they were beaten, the Grosvenor family had owned most of Maine and New York state. The Grosvenor Estate granted them a 999 year lease.
The American government sold the Grosvenor Square lease to the Qataris for £315 - $431 million and apparently have spent $1 billion on building "a larger, modern and secure state of the art compound for their staff of over 800".
It has been built in wasteland south of the Thames, in between Nine Elms - the wholesale flower market - and Battersea Dogs Home.
It's a hideous new building.. no wonder President Trump didn't want to cut the opening ribbon!
We are getting idler by the day.. except on Wednesdays! But she is actually going out today to give stuff to the shop.
And Beaky would love to nibble that Russian carving that we found sitting on a shelf yesterday afternoon but she caught us in mid crunch, it was very swiftly removed and put into a drawer out of Beak's reach.
Ah well, such is life. My own toys, of which I have several, aren't so appealing. I guess it's the old story of forbidden fruits, we always want other people's 'toys'.
GeeGee Parrot.
January 12, 2018.
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