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.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Jun 27, 2017
Bloomberg’s European headquarters wants to become a natural extension of London
Foster + Partners’ design rises 10 stories and is composed of two connected buildings.
Multifamily Housing | May 25, 2017
Luxury residential tower is newest planned addition to The Star in Frisco
The building will be within walking distance to the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters.
Mixed-Use | May 24, 2017
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects will develop mixed-use project on former site of Carlsberg Brewery
The 36,000-sm project will cover a city block and include a residential tower.
Mixed-Use | May 23, 2017
45-story tower planned for Miami Worldcenter
Pickard Chilton Architects will design the 600,000-sf 110 10th Street.
Mixed-Use | May 17, 2017
The Lincoln Common development has begun construction in Chicago’s Lincoln Park
The mixed-use project will provide new apartments, condos, a senior living facility, and retail space.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Apr 27, 2017
One of the last abandoned high-rises in Detroit’s downtown core moves one step closer to renovation
Kraemer Design has been selected as the architect of record and historic consultant on the Detroit Free Press building renovations.
Mixed-Use | Apr 25, 2017
Dutch building incorporates 22 emojis into its façade
The emoji building is part of a larger mixed-use development built around a 150-year-old oak tree.
Mixed-Use | Apr 24, 2017
Take a look at Brooklyn’s Domino Sugar Refinery redevelopment
The master plan features market-rate and affordable housing, mixed-use space, and a waterfront park with a 5-block long “Artifact Walk.”
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 21, 2017
Boston Celtics training and practice facility will be part of Boston Landing mixed-use development
The facility will also include two floors of Class A laboratory and office space and retail space.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2017
North Hollywood mixed-use development NoHo West begins construction
The development is expected to open in 2018.
