The site

Photographing the guarded and fenced in embassy building is not permitted. However, the grounds of “Metropolitan Gardens” are freely accessible. This facility, which was redeveloped between 2010 and 2017 to contain residential and business suites, now takes up the bulk of the complex, which has been under a preservation order since 1995. The gradually rising drive leads to the main building, which still displays stone eagles from the 1930s on its cornice. It is worth taking a look at the renovated foyer, as well as behind the main building, where additional buildings and green inner courtyards are located.

The site

Photographing the guarded and fenced in embassy building is not permitted. However, the grounds of “Metropolitan Gardens” are freely accessible. This facility, which was redeveloped between 2010 and 2017 to contain residential and business suites, now takes up the bulk of the complex, which has been under a preservation order since 1995. The gradually rising drive leads to the main building, which still displays stone eagles from the 1930s on its cornice. It is worth taking a look at the renovated foyer, as well as behind the main building, where additional buildings and green inner courtyards are located.

Nearby

Truman Hall, across from US Headquarters, was the first new structure built by US occupying forces. The building was later developed into a shopping center, around 1950.

Across from Clay Headquarters the Truman Hall opened in 1946, a modern and well-equipped canteen providing both a dining room for more than 800 persons and a cafeteria. In the early 1950s, the Americans modernized the canteen building and expanded it into a shopping center with an adjoining parking lot. At its heart stood the so-called Post Exchange, known as the PX for short – a supermarket sponsored by the US Department of Defense that supplied local soldiers. The goods on offer there focused entirely on US tastes and fashions and could also be purchased tax-free. Today, a newly constructed ensemble of buildings along Clayallee provides space for a range of new shops.

Directions 3 > 4

The extensive grounds of the former US Headquarters are bordered to the south by Saargemünder Strasse. By taking a footpath leading between the small villas on the other side of the street to Garystrasse, one can take a look at the Dreipfuhlsiedlung and – continuing along Garystrasse – then reach the Henry Ford Building. Alternatively, one can arrive there by starting from the Metropolitan Gardens and following Saargemünder Strasse to Ihnestrasse and then, after Harnack-Haus, turning left onto Harnackstrasse, which ultimately passes between the university library and the historic Henry Ford Building.

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