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
Hotel Facilities | Jul 20, 2021
A new Times Square hotel positions itself as a resort
Margaritaville Resort arrives as New York City considers creating entertainment districts.
Resiliency | Jun 24, 2021
Oceanographer John Englander talks resiliency and buildings [new on HorizonTV]
New on HorizonTV, oceanographer John Englander discusses his latest book, which warns that, regardless of resilience efforts, sea levels will rise by meters in the coming decades. Adaptation, he says, is the key to future building design and construction.
Hotel Facilities | Jun 18, 2021
Adaptive reuse for hospitality, with Frank Cretella of Landmark Developers
In an exclusive interview for HorizonTV, Landmark Developers' President Frank Cretella talks about the firm's adaptive reuse projects for the hospitality sector. Cretella outlines his company's keys to success in hospitality development, including finding unique properties and creating memorable spaces.
Hotel Facilities | May 26, 2021
Loisium Wine and Spa Resort expansion opens in Langenlois, Austria
Steven Holl Architects designed both the expansion and the original resort with associate architects Sam-Ott-Reinisch.
Digital Twin | May 24, 2021
Digital twin’s value propositions for the built environment, explained
Ernst & Young’s white paper makes its cases for the technology’s myriad benefits.
Hotel Facilities | May 5, 2021
AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise completes
Stantec designed the project.
Market Data | Apr 30, 2021
New York City market continues to lead the U.S. Construction Pipeline
New York City has the greatest number of projects under construction with 110 projects/19,457 rooms.
Market Data | Apr 29, 2021
U.S. Hotel Construction pipeline beings 2021 with 4,967 projects/622,218 rooms at Q1 close
Although hotel development may still be tepid in Q1, continued government support and the extension of programs has aided many businesses to get back on their feet as more and more are working to re-staff and re-open.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 21, 2021
First newly constructed Signia by Hilton Hotel to be built in Atlanta
Signia by Hilton is a new upscale brand from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.