AccorHotels has beefed-up its luxury portfolio yet again with news that London’s Old War Office building in Whitehall is going to be transformed into a Raffles hotel.
Raffles has teamed up with India’s Hinduja Group and Spanish construction company Obrascón Huarte Lain Desarrollos, which will develop the hotel. Completion is expected in just over three years.
“This is a significant step for Raffles and a strategic addition to the group’s luxury portfolio,” said AccorHotels Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin.
In 2014, Hinduja and OHLD bought the Old War Office near Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street, from the UK Ministry of Defence for £350 million (US$444.5 million). The office was used by Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill during World War II.
Hinduja and OHLD have been granted planning permission for a multi-purpose development that includes 125 rooms (of which 40% are suites), 88 private residences, restaurants and other amenities.