The venerable Old War Office building where generals, admirals, commanders and clerks, as well as Winston Churchill and other leaders met and planned military moves during World War II is now opening to the public as a super high-end hotel. The building also served in World War I.
Operating under the posh Raffles brand as Raffles London at the OWO, the hotel has reconfigured the building for 120 rooms and suites, 85 private apartments, and catering facilities that include a 600-person ballroom. A pool and other amenities have also been added.
Conversion work in the 1906 building took over five years, with careful work required because of the building’s status as a Grade II listed building that requires approval for changes. Among the projects were restoration of original features such as oak panelling, mosaic floors and a cobblestone courtyard.
The hotel is owned by the Hunduja Group, a conglomerate controlled by one of Britain’s richest families; they paid £350 million for a 250-year lease and are said to have spent about £1 billion on the conversion.
