The Raffles London to Occupy Old War Office building in Whitehall - Winston Churchill's iconic Old War Office

The top luxury brand of AccorHotels Group, Raffles Hotels & Resorts has just announced the signing of a historic partnership between the Hinduja Group and Obrascon Huarte Lain Desarrollos (OHLD) to transform Winston Churchill's iconic Old War Office building in Whitehall into one of the most unique hotel and deluxe residences in London - The Raffles London. 

Photo Credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts

The first ever Raffles Hotel was opened back in 1887 in Singapore and it was named after the British statesman and founder of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. Raffles was celebrated by Nobel Prize winner, Rudyard Kipling in his 1889 book, From Sea To Sea and in 1915 Singapore’s most famous cocktail, the Singapore Sling was created at the hotel. The Grade II* listed Old War Office, with its 1100 rooms across seven floors, and two miles of corridors, was completed in 1906. It was the office to many of the United Kingdom’s most important and influential political and military leaders of the twentieth century, notably Sir Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, Lord Kitchener, Herbert Asquith and T.E. Lawrence. It was also the haunt of the British Secret Service who had their own, more discreet entrance.

Close to 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, the Old War Office was bought by Hinduja Group and OHLD in December 2014 following a public bid. Planning permission was granted for a multi-purpose development including 125 rooms (of which 40% are suites), 88 private residences, restaurants and other amenities. Completion is expected in just over three years.