15.12.14

Hinduja group acquires iconic London building


The Hinduja Group has acquired the historic Old War Office building having around 1,100 rooms in Central London for an undisclosed sum for conversion into a five-star hotel and residential apartments.
The heritage building at 57, Whitehall, close to the British Parliament and the Prime Minister's residence, covers 580,000 square feet spread over seven floors connected by more than 3 km of corridors. The Hindujas, amongst Britain's wealthiest people, acquired the building, where wartime prime minister Winston Churchill plotted Second World War manoeuvres, in partnership with Spanish industrial company Obrascon Huarte Lain Desarrollos (OHLD).The building will be restored and redeveloped into a five-star hotel and apartments. It will also feature a series of private-function rooms as well as a spa and fitness facility. It was sold on a 250-year lease arrangement following a competitive marketing process.
Group chairman SP Hinduja and co-chairman G P Hinduja said on behalf of the company, “We will make every effort to honour the heritage and restoration of this national monument.“ A commitment has also been made to grant new access to the building with an outdoor public space also part of the re-development plans.

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