London’s former Old War Office building set to become hotel and residences

The Grade II* listed former Old War Office building has been undergoing a massive transformation over the last five years to become 85 homes and a Raffles hotel with 125-rooms and suites. A collection of nine restaurants and bars, an spa, a swimming pool, and a garden will also be included.

Dubbed The OWO Residences by Raffles, the building was originally completed in 1906 and designed by William Young. It was built on the site of the original Palace of Whitehall, home to Henry VIII and other monarchs, and was also used as Winston Churchill’s HQ during WWII, was John Profumo’s base when he was Secretary of State, and has been featured in multiple James Bond movies (after helping to inspire Ian Fleming to create the series after working for Britain’s Naval Intelligence Service).

Residences have ceiling heights reaching up to 14.4 feet with floor-to-ceiling windows. Many residences also incorporate original heritage features such as oak paneling and mosaic flooring. Each residence will be uniquely tailored to suit its location within the building with duplex, lateral, and penthouse units ranging in size from studios to five-bedrooms. Prices for two-bedroom units will start from $8 million. Raffles Hotels & Resorts will operate the 125-room and suite flagship hotel at The OWO, as well as the 85 branded residences.

At the helm of The OWO project is the Hinduja Group, an international multi-billion turnover group founded in 1914 that acquired the building in 2014. It has worked with a team of experts including Historic England and Museum of London Archaeology, and appointed EPR Architects to oversee the redevelopment. The hotel interiors are being designed by New York-based designer Thierry Despont. 1508 London designed the residence interiors.

The OWO Residences by Raffles is slated to open in 2022.