Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 45. (1997)

AGSTNER, Rudolf: Von Chandos House zum Belgrave Square. Österreichs Botschaft in London 1815–1997

costs of reconstruction amounted to 100 000 LSt. It was only in December 1950 that the new envoy, Lothar Wimmer, was able to move into the old legation premises. Until then, the legation had been temporarily installed at 1, Hyde Park Gate. It was soon to be raised to the status of „embassy“. On Januaiy 30, 1952, Wimmer presented his new credentials as „ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Austria“ to King George VI. He probably was the last ambassador to be received by H. M., who died on February 6, 1952. The first major social event to take place in the embassy was a reception and dinner in honour of Austrian Federal Chancellor Leopold Figl on May 9, 1952.

The historic mansion on 18, Belgrave Square continues to serve as residence to the Austrian ambassador. The mews wing which until the 1960s also contained apartments has been used exclusively as office space in the last decades. With Austria’s accession to the European Union, and in view of the Austrian presidency of the Union in the second half of 1998, it became evident that the office wing was no longer adequate for a modem embassy. As in 1911 and 1950, the mews wing is presently undergoing extensive reconstruction which will enable the Austrian embassy to continue working effectively into the next millenium at the prestigious and historic address in the heart of London.

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