The official ground-breaking ceremony for the new US Embassy in Nine Elms is set to take place today.

The ceremony commemorated the start of the construction process in anticipation of the Embassy's move from Grosvenor Square, near Hyde park in 2017. 

The 11-storey glass cubed shaped building will stretch over 450 acres and will be at the heart of the Nine Elms development.

US Ambassador to the UK Matthew Barzun, Lydia Muniz, director from the U.S. State Department, and Councillor Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council, were due to attend the ceremony.

Speaking ahead of the event Ambassador Barzun said: "The US and the UK have long been partners in development across the globe. But today we celebrate a different kind of development - the continued development and evolution of London itself. 

"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."

Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council, said:"We’re delighted work is now officially underway on what will be one of the most remarkable embassies in our great city.

"It is going to be a dazzling centrepiece for Nine Elms on the South Bank and will set new standards for low energy use and sustainability.

"The embassy’s move is also an incredible coup for Wandsworth. 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."