Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

US diplomats add a moat to their expenses at $1bn London embassy
http://www.timesonline.co.uk ^ | February 24, 2010 | Catherine Philp

Posted on 02/23/2010 6:45:20 PM PST by kcvl

US diplomats add a moat to their expenses at $1bn London embassy

The United States has unveiled plans for its new $1 billion high-security embassy in London — the most expensive it has ever built.

The proposals were met with relief from both the present embassy’s Mayfair neighbours and the residents and developers of the Battersea wasteland where the vast crystalline cube, surrounded by a moat, will be built.

The decision to abandon the former site in Grosvenor Square by 2016 came after a prolonged battle with residents angered by the security measures demanded after the September 11 attacks. More than a hundred residents took out a full-page advertisement in The Times to oppose tighter measures that they said would leave the area more vulnerable to attack.

The new embassy, on a former industrial site behind Battersea power station known for its gay clubs, will be designed by Kieran Timberlake, the Philadelphia architect.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7038550.ece


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: bhostatedept; bhouk; soshillary; usembassy
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-53 next last
To: kcvl
"Photovoltaics in the building’s skin and on its roof will generate electricity."

Ah yes....putting that legendary London sunshine to good use!

21 posted on 02/23/2010 6:59:50 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
That is going to be a swell mosque someday.

How will the Emir of France top that?

22 posted on 02/23/2010 7:00:35 PM PST by Anti-Utopian ("Come, let's away to prison; We two alone will sing like birds I' th' cage." -King Lear [V,iii,6-8])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Republic

TIMBERLAKE, JAMES
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106
KIERAN TIMBERLAKE/PARTNER SPECTER, ARLEN (D)
Senate - PA
CITIZENS FOR ARLEN SPECTER $500
primary 12/26/08

Timberlake, James
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Kierantimberlake/Architect
MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION $300
primary 12/10/08

Timberlake, Jane Ms.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Self/Graphic Designer KERRY, JOHN F (D)
President
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC $2,000
primary 01/26/04


23 posted on 02/23/2010 7:00:48 PM PST by kcvl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: kcvl; All

Good paying jobs for London muzzies.


24 posted on 02/23/2010 7:00:49 PM PST by stephenjohnbanker (Support our troops, and vote out the RINOS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ticonderoga34

I’ll bet he bugs the place.


25 posted on 02/23/2010 7:00:52 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 Halfbaked: 50c)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Joe 6-pack

“Ah yes....putting that legendary London sunshine to good use!”

You can get a tan standing in the English rain!


26 posted on 02/23/2010 7:01:30 PM PST by jessduntno (Stop being the Party of No. Be the Party of HELL NO!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: RockinRight

A moat looks better than dragon’s teeth.


27 posted on 02/23/2010 7:02:14 PM PST by Norman Bates
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: y'all
Borg will be Borg...

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

28 posted on 02/23/2010 7:03:47 PM PST by Cyber Ninja (His legacy is a stain OnTheDress)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rennes Templar

“That costs a billion dollars? Good Lord.”

The walls are made of compressed $100 bills.


29 posted on 02/23/2010 7:04:03 PM PST by stephenjohnbanker (Support our troops, and vote out the RINOS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: jessduntno

Moats are timeless.


30 posted on 02/23/2010 7:06:04 PM PST by 1rudeboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Republic
The people who determine how to spend our tax money need to be thrown out of office.

I agree. Now lets concentrate on those who need to go! Every effort needs to be made to eliminate the incumbent who wants to tax and spend.......

31 posted on 02/23/2010 7:07:45 PM PST by eeriegeno (<p>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: 1rudeboy

“Moats are timeless.”

True. A little leather on the interior of the Drawbridge though???


32 posted on 02/23/2010 7:07:48 PM PST by jessduntno (Stop being the Party of No. Be the Party of HELL NO!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: kcvl

My oh my, political payback is so very, very lucrative on the democrat playground.


33 posted on 02/23/2010 7:09:11 PM PST by Republic (I love Rush)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: kcvl

I don’t get it. We’re not at war with Islam, per Barak Obama. Why the extra security?


34 posted on 02/23/2010 7:15:39 PM PST by Bryan24 (When in doubt, move to the right..........)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl

A complex envelope of blast-resistant glass and a polymer skin (known as ETFE) will provide both security and energy efficiency while shading the building on its sun-exposed sides.

A job that brick could do and less expensively


35 posted on 02/23/2010 7:17:34 PM PST by Chickensoup (We have the government we deserve. Is our government our traitor?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
That is one ugly looking piece of crap. And it's only going to cost us $1B.

What a load.

36 posted on 02/23/2010 7:27:59 PM PST by AFreeBird
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
"It also helps the building, which is estimated to cost about $500 million"

So how does 1/2 billion become a billion?

37 posted on 02/23/2010 7:33:00 PM PST by guitarplayer1953 (Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to GOD! Thomas Jefferson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
Whenever there is a story about government sponsored architecture I think of this:

Donald Trump, regarding the United Nations' remodeling plan

38 posted on 02/23/2010 7:34:16 PM PST by Pan_Yan (Is the sarcasm tag really necessary?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Republic
The people who determine how to spend our tax money need to be thrown out of office.
This is an offense of the highest order.

Especially now.

According to the article the old embassy has been sold for a billion dollars, so theoretically the new building should not involve any new tax dollars. Perhaps they could have saved some of the money.

39 posted on 02/23/2010 7:35:35 PM PST by wideminded
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: eeriegeno

if it’s made of see through walls won’t that be a security problem.


40 posted on 02/23/2010 7:35:42 PM PST by crop circles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-53 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson