LONDON – A high-end residential building adjacent to the US Embassy in London has been placed under emergency restrictions as Metropolitan Police investigate a murder at the luxury DAMAC Tower in Nine Elms, where a man died in what officers described as “the most horrendous of circumstances.”
The 50-storey tower, home to wealthy foreign students and businesspeople, was effectively placed on “lockdown” Saturday morning following the fatal incident. Two men, aged 35 and 33, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.
Detective Inspector Aytac Necati, leading the investigation, confirmed the victim was a man in his thirties who died from knife injuries at the Bondway address. Sadly, a man has lost his life in the most horrendous of circumstances. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time,” Necati said.
Building management notified residents through internal correspondence that police were “diligently managing the situation” and had requested that elevators be temporarily unavailable during the investigation. One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, told GB News that deliveries had been blocked and the building was essentially on lockdown.
We would like to assure you that the building is secure, and there is no cause for concern with your safety,” management told residents in a notice seen by GB News. As a precautionary measure, the police have requested that the elevators be temporarily unavailable while they conduct their investigation.
The Metropolitan Police were called to the residential address at 05:38 hours Saturday following reports of an altercation. Officers attended alongside London Ambulance Service paramedics, who treated the victim for knife injuries at the scene.
Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died from his injuries,” a police spokesperson confirmed. The victim’s next-of-kin have yet to be informed.
DAMAC Tower, completed in 2019, stands as one of Nine Elms’ most prestigious addresses, featuring interiors designed by Versace Home in what developers describe as “the perfect blend of modern architecture and Versace elegance.” The building boasts at least 40 floors of luxury apartments with panoramic views across London.
The tower forms part of the Nine Elms regeneration area, a multi-billion pound transformation that has converted former industrial land into an ultra-modern residential and business district. The area has become a diplomatic hub since the US Embassy relocated there from Grosvenor Square in 2018.
The $1 billion US Embassy, designed by KieranTimberlake, opened its doors at 33 Nine Elms Lane in January 2018. The distinctive crystalline cube features six-inch-thick bomb-resistant glass walls and sits within a secure compound with what critics have called a “moat” – officially a semi-circular pond.
Nine Elms has attracted significant international investment, with the area now home to Embassy Gardens and other luxury developments marketed to global buyers. The district stretches along the Thames between Vauxhall and Battersea, encompassing the redeveloped Battersea Power Station.
DAMAC Properties, the Dubai-based developer behind the tower, has been shaping luxury real estate across the Middle East since 2002. The company secured £229 million in development financing from three major lenders to complete the London project.
Detective Inspector Necati emphasized that investigators are working to establish the circumstances of the incident. Two men have already been arrested. Detectives are working hard to establish the circumstances of what happened. At this time, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident,” he stated.
The Metropolitan Police have deployed additional officers on reassurance patrols in the area. “We understand the effect this will have on the local community and will ensure that officers are deployed on reassurance patrols to respond to any questions or concerns,” Necati added.
A crime scene remains in place while detectives investigate. Police are appealing for witnesses and have asked anyone with information to contact them by calling 101 and quoting reference CAD1719/5July. Anonymous tips can be provided through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
The incident marks the latest in a series of violent crimes in London this year. According to murder tracking data, the capital has seen multiple fatal stabbings in recent months, with victims across various boroughs.
The luxury tower’s proximity to the US Embassy adds a layer of sensitivity to the investigation, though authorities have not indicated any connection to diplomatic security concerns. The embassy, which processes thousands of visa applications and provides consular services, maintains strict security protocols including a 100-foot seclusion zone.
Building residents face continued disruption as the investigation proceeds. The restriction on elevator use in a 50-storey building presents significant challenges, particularly for those living on upper floors. Management has not indicated when normal operations might resume.
The Nine Elms area continues its transformation from industrial wasteland to prime residential district, though Saturday’s incident highlights ongoing urban challenges even in London’s most exclusive new neighborhoods.
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Image credit:
DAMAC. Reza. Photo by Reza, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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