Tony Blair has agreed to lease an office in the heart of Mayfair for his headquarters as envoy to the Middle East.
The former prime minister will move into 9 Grosvenor Square to use as his headquarters while he tries to negotiate peace between Palestine and Israel on behalf of the USA, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia - known as The Quartet.
The privately-owned property was the 18th century home of John Adams, the first US minister to Great Britain, who moved there in 1785. Grosvenor Square consequently became home of the US Embassy.
Three months rent free
Blair has taken the office for ten years with three months rent free at an annual rent of around £550,000 a year.
He will be able to move into the office after refurbishment works are completed in mid November.
His office will cover the whole four-floor building, totalling 5,913 sq ft paying an average of £93/sq ft.
He will pay the most on the first and second floors - £125.50/sq ft – and then 90% of this on the third, 85% on the ground, 50% on the reception and 40% on the lower ground.
Middle East envoy
Blair was appointed as The Quartet’s official envoy to the Middle East hours after passing the PM’s reins of power to Gordon Brown on Wednesday 27 June this year.
It is believed Blair had looked at Manchester Square and St James Square as possible London bases before settling for Grosvenor Square.
CB Richard Ellis and Crossland Otter Hunt acted for the landlord.
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