Grosvenor Square

Grosvenor Square is a large garden square in Mayfair, in the City of Westminster, London. For generations it was a private garden for the wealthy, and in the 20th century it became one of the most "American" corners of the capital. Today the garden is open to everyone, and the buildings around it are mostly offices and other commercial uses.

Where does Grosvenor Square come from?

The square was laid out in the 18th century as part of a residential development on land belonging to the Duke of Westminster. Its name comes from the family surname, Grosvenor, and it is the centrepiece of the family's Mayfair estate. Sources disagree on the exact date of the first layout, ranging from the 1720s to the early 1730s. Fashionable townhouses rose around the garden for London's elite.

Why was it called "Little America"?

The American connection began in 1785, when John Adams, the first US Minister to the Court of St James's, rented a house at number 9. During the Second World War, General Eisenhower's headquarters were at number 20, and the square became informally known as "Little America" or "Eisenhowerplatz".

The United States embassy was based here for much of the 20th century. The later building designed by Eero Saarinen served as the embassy from 1960 to 2018. After the embassy moved, it was converted into the Rosewood Chancery hotel.

When did the garden open to the public?

From 1835 an Act of Parliament reserved the garden for residents of the surrounding houses. That changed after the Second World War, when a memorial to President Franklin D. Roosevelt was proposed. Another Act in 1946 allowed the statue to be installed and opened the garden to the public at the same time. The re-landscaped garden opened in 1948, and Eleanor Roosevelt unveiled the memorial on 12 April 1948, the third anniversary of her husband's death.

What is there to see?

• Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial – the focal point of the garden.
• September 11 Memorial Garden – opened in 2003 on the eastern side of the square.
• Monument to the Eagle Squadrons – on the south side, honouring American volunteer pilots.
• The former US embassy – Saarinen's distinctive building, now a hotel.

The garden is being re-landscaped, with completion planned for summer 2026. The Roosevelt statue and the other memorials are due to stay in place.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Grosvenor Square? In Mayfair, in the City of Westminster, in central London.

Is there an entrance fee? No. The garden has been public since 1948.

Is the US embassy still here? No. Saarinen's building served as the embassy from 1960 to 2018 and is now a hotel.

Why is it called Grosvenor Square? After the Grosvenor family name, held by the Dukes of Westminster, who owned the surrounding land.

What can I combine with a visit? The square sits in the heart of Mayfair, so it pairs easily with a walk through the neighbouring streets and parks. Start at the Roosevelt memorial, loop round the garden and pause at the other memorials, then view the former embassy from outside. The whole visit usually takes about half an hour, though anyone interested in Second World War history may want to linger, since the square was an important focus of the American presence in London during that period.