Construction work has began on the new US Embassy which is set to be the centrepiece of the Nine Elms development.
A ground-breaking ceremony took place on the 4.9 acre site today in Nine Elms Lane, Wandsworth, this morning.
The new 11-storey glass cubed building will transform the London skyline, with hopes it will attract thousands of new shops and businesses to Wandsworth.
Matthew Barzun, US Ambassador to the UK, Lydia Muniz, US department of state director and Councillor Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council, gave speeches at the event.
They were joined by former US Ambassador Robert Tuttle, contractors Billy Harbert and David McAlpine, as well as project director Rodney Evans, in the ceremonial ground-breaking.
Mr Barzun said a total of 70 sites were considered before it was decided to relocate from Grosvenor Square to Nine Elms.
He said: "We are proud to be putting down roots in Nine Elms. We’re proud to be reclaiming this formerly industrial site for 21st uses with a new green and sustainable embassy.
"And we’re proud to provide an anchor for more businesses and jobs, bringing thousands of new neighbours to fuel economic revitalisation here."
Councillor Govindia, co-chairman of the Nine Elms partnership, said the relocation will spark the Nine Elms regeneration project.
He said: "The US Government was among the very first institutions to buy-in to our vision for Nine Elms and their investment was a watershed moment in the area’s transformation .
"They have been a magnet for new investment and a vital catalyst for a regeneration programme which is delivering tens of thousands of jobs and homes."
Coun Govindia said he also has ambitions for the embassy to become a new cultural centre for American art in the UK.
The cube, created by architects KieranTimberlake, will be surrounded by an urban garden and moat.
Security will be organised by the embassy, but Wandsworth Police will also help safeguard the building when necessary.
The relocation of the US Embassy to Wandsworth is expected to be complete by 2017.
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