War Office

British landmark to be transformed into luxury Raffles hotel



Raffles Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with Hinduja Group and Obrascon Huarte Lain Desarrollos (OHLD) to transform the Old War Office in London into a hotel.


Owners the Hinduja Group and OHLD acquired the Old War Office building in 2014 and in February were granted planning permission to redevelop the Whitehall property, as long as the historic character of the building was not lost.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts – the luxury brand of the AccorHotels Group – has now added the property to its portfolio of strategic city locations. 

The planning permission granted is for a multi-purpose development which includes 125 rooms, 88 private residences, restaurants and other amenities with completion expected in just over three years.

Sébastien Bazin, chairman and CEO of AccorHotels, said he was delighted to announce this long-term management contract with the Hinduja Group and OHLD.

“This is the start of an important partnership for Raffles Hotels & Resorts and will create a new and vibrant landmark for London. 

“This is a significant step for Raffles and a strategic addition to the group’s luxury portfolio.”

Gopichand P Hinduja, co-chairman of the Hinduja Group, added: “Our new partnership with Raffles Hotels & Resorts is a significant milestone in our vision to transform the Old War Office into London’s finest luxury destination. 

“Raffles brings a unique understanding of British heritage and tradition that will help revive this great British landmark.”

Raffles opened its first hotel in 1887 in Singapore and is named after the founder of the country, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. 

“We are delighted that after the completion of the Grade I-listed building in Carlton House Terrace, we can now apply this valuable experience to a greater challenge and create what will become the most iconic place in London,” said Sanjay G Hinduja, president of the Hinduja Group.

Juan Villar-Mir de Fuentes, chairman of Grupo OHL, added: “The OHL Group is extremely proud to be part of, in partnership with the Hinduja Group, this exciting project which – reinforced with the Raffles brand – is now fully aligned with OHL Desarrollos’s strong commitment and strategy to develop unique projects around the world.”



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