Trump set to open $1 billion ‘fortress’ US Embassy in London

IT’S the most expensive building the US has ever built, with technology beyond anything seen before. But it’s missing something.

The new US Embassy building is due to open for business in January 2018. Picture: AFP/Pool/Alastair Grant

IT’S not quite Trump Tower and there’s no gold in sight, but the new US Embassy in London is one the President would surely approve of.

The $1.3 billion “fortress” is the most expensive the country has ever built, with triple-glazed blastproof walls, a Faraday cage to prevent electronic eavesdropping and is located a requisite 30m from the “blast zone” of a main road.

It contains barracks for US marines with 21 bedrooms, on-site medical facilities, a bar, gym and 12 floors of office space located atop a concrete plinth.

But despite the latest secure technology embedded in the design, the building is surprisingly visible to the general public with no perimeter fence to keep intruders out.

Instead, it features a huge moat-style pond covering one side that prevents unwanted visitors entering via the River Thames on which it sits. The other side is guarded by a deep ditch.

The new US Embassy building in London is the single most expensive building the country has built. Picture: Alastair Grant

The Canyonlands Garden represents the Grand Canyon and the southwest desert landscapes of the US. Picture: AFP/Pool/Stefan Rousseau

A corridor in the Consular section sports a photo of Winfield House garden, the official residence of the US ambassador to the UK. Picture: AFP/Alastair Grant

Inside, the building has an emphasis on sustainability and US landscapes with a solar roof to capture electricity and a waterfall for run-off water.

Interior gardens showcase the US landscape from the Grand Canyon to Pacific coast forests. The Ambassador has a private garden around 10 storeys up, with plastic sails to prevent the building getting too hot.

US President Donald Trump is expected to visit London to open the embassy in a working visit rather than the full state version. Picture: AFP/Saul Loeb

The state-of-the-art building marks the completion of a project that was supposed to be finished by the time Obama left office.

It’s since nearly tripled in budget which the country claims was funded by the sale of other properties in London rather than taxpayer dollars. The previous US embassy at Grosvenor Square has been sold to the Qatari Sovereign Wealth Fund and will become a luxury hotel.

The new US Embassy building has nearly tripled in budget. Picture: AFP/Alastair Grant

Plastic sails prevent the building getting too hot. Picture: AFP/Stefan Rousseau

US Ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson is a longtime friend of President Trump. Picture: AFP/Stefan Rousseau

The building will officially open in January with 800 staff and up to 1000 visitors a day, President Trump is expected to undertake a “working visit” in February for its official dedication.

If confirmed, it would mark Trump’s first trip to the UK despite being offered a state visit, which would include meeting the Queen, last January. While officials claim that invitation remains extended and has been accepted, it’s believed fear of widespread protests following his high-profile spats with UK PM Theresa May and London mayor Sadiq Khan have seen it postponed. Other UK MPs have called for the offer to be withdrawn.

Speaking at a tour of the new building, Trump’s longtime friend and recently appointed US Ambassador Robert “Woody” Johnson said the behemoth is designed to be welcoming and secure.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the President when he comes over here,” Johnson said. “I think he will be very impressed with this building and the people who occupy it.”

The building is located at Battersea’s Nine Elms development near the refurbished Battersea Power Station. It’s expected to spark similar moves with speculation of a new “diplomatic quarter” in future. Tech giant Apple has also opened its new London headquarters in the same area.

Originally published as Trump set to open $1 billion ‘fortress’ US Embassy in London