The landmark Grade II listed on Whitehall will open to the public for the first time, and housed the offices of influential political and military leaders including Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, Lord Kitchener and John Profumo. It inspired Ian Fleming to write the famous James Bond series after working as key liaison officer between the War Office and Britain’s Naval Intelligence Service. The building went on to feature in various Bond films, including Skyfall, Spectre, License to Kill, A View to a Kill, Octopussy, and most recently, No Time To Die.

Opening late 2022 the luxury Raffles London at The OWO hotel will house 120 rooms and suites, 85 branded residences, an extensive wellness space and 11 destination restaurants and bars, including a rooftop restaurant and bar with panoramic views across Whitehall, The Mall and on to Buckingham Palace. Some of the suites will be located in the building’s corner turrets, from which guests will enjoy views over Horse Guards and London‘s St. James’s Park.

The Old War Office was originally completed in 1906 and designed by British architect William Young. Grand in both size and stature, the interior proportions reflect classic Edwardian architecture. The building’s key features like delicate hand-laid mosaic floors, oak panelling, chandeliers, and a magnificent marble staircase.have been completely restored. The interior design is by Thierry Despont, known for transforming landmark buildings like The Getty Centre, Maison Cartier, The Carlyle and the Statue of Liberty.