Wealthy Americans are helping to buoy London prime property prices by snapping up properties in Battersea, the affluent south London suburb, after the US embassy was this year given the green light to relocate to the area.

After 50 years in a Mayfair mansion, the US embassy is moving to a futuristic cube-shaped building in Battersea. The move has prompted a 60% rise in American buyers in the area on last year, according to prime London property agent Douglas & Gordon.