Hinduja Group has opened the Old War Office as a luxury hotel in central London’s Whitehall, as reported by ETHospitality.
In 2016, Hinduja Group acquired the Old War Office building to redevelop it into a five-star hotel and residential apartments.
In 2017, Hinduja Group and French hospitality company Raffles Hotels & Resorts teamed up to open this hotel.
This World War II-era building, with about 1,100 rooms, was once occupied by former UK prime minister Winston Churchill
It is located on an area of 580,000ft² at 57 Whitehall, near Downing Street.
The hotel’s opening ceremony was attended by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, among others.
Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles III, unveiled the hotel’s plaque following a tour of the hotel with Hinduja Group chairman GP Hinduja.
Hinduja Group chairman GP Hinduja said: “We have always been working to see what best we can do between India and the UK because we believe our responsibility is to act as a bridge between the host country and the motherland.
“It took us eight years and in these eight years we had a lot to do, but finally this iconic building has been converted into a symbol of peace and solace and not World Wars.
“The OWO will represent the legacy of the Hinduja Group and emerge as London’s iconic destination. Everyone who lands in London will first come here to see what it is.”
The opening ceremony featured musical performances by musicians Andrea Bocelli and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and was attended by various distinguished individuals.
The invitees included Princess Beatrice, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, British actor and comedian Adil Ray, British TV presenter Natalie Pinkman, British businessman Richard Caring and Indian actors Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna.
The revamped building now offers 85 Residences by Raffles and boasts nine new restaurants and three bars, including a rooftop providing views of Buckingham Palace.
Historic aspects of the building have been restored, such as the handcrafted mosaic floors, rich oak panelling, chandeliers and grand marble staircase, reported PTI via TheWeek.
The hotel will open its doors to its first guests on September 29.
