Situated at one of London’s most historically important and powerful addresses, the Old War Office, originally completed in 1906 and designed by British architect William Young, is steeped in history. Formerly the site of the original Palace of Whitehall, home to Henry VIII and other monarchs, the building has witnessed world-shaping events whilst influential political and military leaders including Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George held office. It was John Profumo’s base when he was Secretary of State and inspired Ian Fleming to write the infamous James Bond series after working for Britain’s Naval Intelligence Service. Its grand architecture has made the building a dramatic location in Bond films, and more recently The Crown drama series.
Garnering respect on a global stage, the iconic building was created as a mark of empirical British power. Grand in both size and stature, with ceiling heights in residences that reach up to 4.4m and full-length windows to match, the interior proportions reflect classic Edwardian architecture that has been adapted for modern living. The residences feature interiors created by design studio 1508 London with bespoke handcrafted kitchens from British brand Smallbone of Devizes, Waterworks brass ironmongery and Onyx marble. Many incorporate original heritage features such as oak panelling and mosaic flooring. The unwavering attention to detail in each residence demonstrates the years of craftmanship that have been applied to every aspect of the majestic building.
Each residence is unique and specifically tailored to suit its location in the building; duplex, lateral and penthouse residences range in size from studios to five-beds. In addition, two spectacular turret residences, elevated above the London skyline, offer a home like no other. In this unparalleled residential offering, homeowners will benefit from having all the facilities of a world-renowned hotel on their doorstep without having to compromise on the highest levels of privacy and seclusion within their home. This complex balance has been achieved thanks to the building’s majestic original architecture which lends itself perfectly to a mixed-use development of this stature.
At the helm of The OWO project is the Hinduja Group, an international multi-billion turnover group founded in 1914 and passionately committed to the building since its acquisition 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 intricate redevelopment. The hotel interiors are being designed by New York-based designer Thierry Despont.
The Hinduja Group has partnered with world-renowned Raffles Hotels & Resorts, who will be operating the 120-room and suite flagship hotel at The OWO, as well as the 85 branded residences. The service synonymous with the prestigious Raffles brand - gracious and intuitive staff, personalised attention and a timeless ambience - will be delivered seamlessly to the residents of The OWO and will set a new benchmark in London.
Raffles Hotels & Resorts, a legendary brand known for developing and transforming landmark properties in storied destinations around the world, continues to carry out an exciting growth and development plan. Taking a discerning approach to global expansion, each new Raffles represents the cultural crossroads of the market, serving as an oasis of tranquillity, tradition and timelessness for visitors and locals alike. Over the next few years, Raffles will more than double its illustrious portfolio, adding a host of distinguished addresses that will continue to set the standard in the luxury hospitality industry. Later this year, Raffles will open iconic new hotels in Dubai (The Palm), Bahrain, Udaipur, and Macau. Looking to 2022 and beyond, the brand will debut flagship locations in London (late 2022), Boston (2022), Lusail (2022), Moscow (2022), St. Petersburg (2023) and Sentosa (2023), among others.
The OWO directly faces Horse Guards and is adjacent to the stunning 57-acres of St. James’s Park. Residents, hotel guests and visitors will be a short stroll from Buckingham Palace, The National Gallery, The Tate and The Royal Academy, as well as the sought-after shopping streets of Regents Street, Bond Street and Jermyn Street. Sales are via Knight Frank and Strutt & Parker. Prices for a two-bedroom residence start from £5.8million. Media tours of the newly opened Marketing Gallery Suite at 5 St James’s Square can be arranged on request.
www.theowo.london / Sales Tel: 0207 139 5012 / enquiries@theowo.london
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Image credits – Grain, London