The Chancery Rosewood’s story begins in 1960, when the United States Embassy opened its doors in Grosvenor Square, a bold gesture of its time. Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, its sharp modernist lines and diagrid façade stood in striking contrast to the traditions of Mayfair’s Georgian architecture.

If the architecture itself wasn’t striking enough, the building was crowned with a gilded eagle, a vast golden form with wings spanning eleven metres. Sculpted by Theodore Roszak from the aluminium of B-52 bombers, it was both a feat of innovative craftsmanship and a powerful emblem of American presence in London.

Admired by some, criticised by others, the embassy nevertheless became one of Mayfair’s defining landmarks, its distinctive silhouette impossible to ignore.

When the United States relocated its embassy south of the Thames in the 2000s, the question of what to do with Saarinen’s building loomed large. Demolition was debated, but its Grade II listing secured protection for its most iconic features, including the monumental eagle.

Taking on the task of preserving the building’s heritage while reimagining it for a new purpose was British architect Sir David Chipperfield, with development led by Qatari Diar Europe LLP. And on 1 September 2025, more than six decades after it first made its mark, the building opened its doors once again - this time as The Chancery Rosewood. Watching over it as ever, the eagle still glimmers above Grosvenor Square, its outstretched wings welcoming a new era of culture and connection to the city.

Step inside The Chancery Rosewood today, and Saarinen’s bold exterior gives way to interiors of quiet sophistication. French interior architect Joseph Dirand has shaped the hotel’s 144 suites with his signature eye for craftsmanship, combining sleek modern lines with plush textures and a warm palette accented by gold tones that echo the building’s stone façade. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms with natural light, framing some of London’s most captivating views.

Accommodation ranges from Junior Suites to expansive Signature Suites and Houses, conceived as private sanctuaries in the heart of the city. Each House, named after figures tied to the building’s history, offers space for entertaining, panoramic views of Mayfair, Hyde Park or the London skyline, and a sense of seclusion rarely found in central London. At the very top, on the seventh floor, are two remarkable penthouses, Charles House and Elizabeth House, with landscaped terraces, dining rooms for ten, and marble bathtubs that redefine indulgence.

The hotel experience extends far beyond design. While London may be lined with grand old hotels boasting flashy signage, liveried doormen and stiff traditions, this one breaks the mould. Guests are welcomed not at typical reception desks but personally greeted in the lobby before being escorted directly to their suite - a seamless touch that sets the tone for their stay. Rosewood’s signature philosophy of “relationship hospitality” takes shape here through fully flexible check-in and check-out, private butlers for select suites, and the use of a House Car for transfers across the city. By skipping the formalities guests have come to expect, and redefining service as an experience that feels deeply personal, The Chancery Rosewood sets a new benchmark of luxury hospitality.

Given the building’s storied American past, it feels only fitting that the address is now home to one of the United States’ most iconic dining exports. Carbone London made its debut on 17 September, bringing the buzz of New York’s Greenwich Village to Mayfair in what marks the restaurant’s first step into Europe.

Founded by chef Mario Carbone, the venture has long been a cult favourite in Manhattan, celebrated not only for its Italian-American classics but for the theatre that surrounds them. Its red banquettes, pressed linens, and choreographed service helped turn dining into an experience. Diners here are tended to by captains (not waiters) in burgundy tuxedos, ensuring that dishes like ‘Caesar alla ZZ’ and ‘Dover Sole Piccata’ arrive with just the right amount of drama and nostalgia.

While the restaurant itself keeps tight-lipped about its guests, Carbone’s New York flagship has hosted a clientele that reportedly spans from Leonardo DiCaprio and Rihanna to the Obamas, Biebers and Kardashians. Such speculation only fuels the allure, underscoring its reputation as a place to see and be seen.

Within days of opening, Carbone London has already become one of the city’s toughest tables to book - echoing the mania that surrounded the New York debut in 2013. For ASMALLWORLD Prestige and Signature Members, however, access can be a little smoother. Thanks to the complimentary World’s Finest Clubs membership, some ASMALLWORLD Members have already enjoyed the privilege of dining there, and others can reach out to explore the same opportunity.

While Carbone may have stolen the headlines, The Chancery Rosewood is also home to five additional culinary concepts. Guests can drift from SERRA’s sun-soaked Mediterranean plates to JACQUELINE’s tearoom with delicate desserts. TOBI MASA introduces the celebrated chef Masayoshi Takayama to London with a bold new take on modern Japanese cuisine, while GSQ hums with the easy charm of a neighbourhood deli.

But no matter where dinner begins, every evening seems to rise to its natural finale at the very top - the EAGLE BAR, where city lights stretch to the horizon and conversations linger long into the night. At the terrace’s edge, the majestic eagle still keeps watch, a timeless guardian now ushering in a new era of London luxury.

For those ready to write their own chapter at The Chancery Rosewood, explore and book your stay seamlessly through ASMALLWORLD Collection.