Macdonald House (London)
Encyclopedia
Macdonald House is a seven-storey building in Grosvenor Square
in Mayfair
, London
that is part of the High Commission of Canada in London
. Macdonald House hosts the trade and administrative sections of the High Commission, as well as the High Commissioner's official residence, while the cultural and consular functions are carried out from Canada House
in Trafalgar Square
. Previously, Macdonald House was the home of the American Embassy in London
.
In 1936 the former buildings on this site were demolished as part of a redevelopment
scheme led by the Duke of Westminster
. The current building occupies numbers 1 to 3 on the eastern side of the square.
The American embassy moved into the building in 1938. The current US embassy, also in Grosvenor Square, was completed in 1960. During the Second World War when the Chancery was on one side and U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower
's headquarters on another, Grosvenor Square became popularly known as "Little America."
The building was renamed Macdonald House in honour of Canada's first prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald
, and was reopened by the Canadian High Commission on Canada Day
(July 1), 1961.
On 10th November 2005, Victor Dahdaleh
attended dinner with the Canadian high commission and Queen Elizebeth II. The dinner at Macdonald House in London, home of the Canadian high commission, was held to mark the Queen’s visit to Canada
to mark her Golden Jubilee
in 2002.
In December 2008 the Government of Canada revived plans previous to sell the chancery and purchase a building closer to Canada House in Trafalgar Square.
In February 2010, the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper cancelled the sale for the third time.
On December 20, 2010 the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade announced that Canada House, the High Commission's diplomatic, public and educational space in London, would close to undergo necessary renovations and would re-open in the summer of 2012. During this period, all consular services previously provided at Canada House will be based from Macdonald House, with access through an entrance at 38 Grosvenor Street. Consular service phone numbers and e-mail addresses will remain the same.
Grosvenor Square
Grosvenor Square is a large garden square in the exclusive Mayfair district of London, England. It is the centrepiece of the Mayfair property of the Duke of Westminster, and takes its name from their surname, "Grosvenor".-History:...
in Mayfair
Mayfair
Mayfair is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster.-History:Mayfair is named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place on the site that is Shepherd Market today...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
that is part of the High Commission of Canada in London
High Commission of Canada in London
The High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom in London is the diplomatic mission from Canada to the United Kingdom. It is housed in two buildings in London.-History:...
. Macdonald House hosts the trade and administrative sections of the High Commission, as well as the High Commissioner's official residence, while the cultural and consular functions are carried out from Canada House
Canada House
The High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom in London is the diplomatic mission from Canada to the United Kingdom. It is housed in two buildings in London.-History:...
in Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, England, United Kingdom. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of...
. Previously, Macdonald House was the home of the American Embassy in London
Embassy of the United States in London
The Embassy of the United States of America to the Court of St. James's has been located since 1960 in the American Embassy London Chancery Building, in Grosvenor Square, Westminster, London...
.
In 1936 the former buildings on this site were demolished as part of a redevelopment
Redevelopment
Redevelopment is any new construction on a site that has pre-existing uses.-Description:Variations on redevelopment include:* Urban infill on vacant parcels that have no existing activity but were previously developed, especially on Brownfield land, such as the redevelopment of an industrial site...
scheme led by the Duke of Westminster
Duke of Westminster
The title Duke of Westminster was created by Queen Victoria in 1874 and bestowed upon Hugh Grosvenor, 3rd Marquess of Westminster. The current holder of the title is Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster....
. The current building occupies numbers 1 to 3 on the eastern side of the square.
The American embassy moved into the building in 1938. The current US embassy, also in Grosvenor Square, was completed in 1960. During the Second World War when the Chancery was on one side and U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
's headquarters on another, Grosvenor Square became popularly known as "Little America."
The building was renamed Macdonald House in honour of Canada's first prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
, and was reopened by the Canadian High Commission on Canada Day
Canada Day
Canada Day , formerly Dominion Day , is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act , which united three British colonies into a single country, called Canada, within the British Empire...
(July 1), 1961.
On 10th November 2005, Victor Dahdaleh
Victor Dahdaleh
Victor Phillip M Dahdaleh is owner and chairman of Dadco and affiliated companies. Dadco is a privately owned investment, manufacturing and trading group. Its founding company was established in 1915 with operations and investments in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.He...
attended dinner with the Canadian high commission and Queen Elizebeth II. The dinner at Macdonald House in London, home of the Canadian high commission, was held to mark the Queen’s visit to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to mark her Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
in 2002.
In December 2008 the Government of Canada revived plans previous to sell the chancery and purchase a building closer to Canada House in Trafalgar Square.
In February 2010, the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper cancelled the sale for the third time.
On December 20, 2010 the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade announced that Canada House, the High Commission's diplomatic, public and educational space in London, would close to undergo necessary renovations and would re-open in the summer of 2012. During this period, all consular services previously provided at Canada House will be based from Macdonald House, with access through an entrance at 38 Grosvenor Street. Consular service phone numbers and e-mail addresses will remain the same.