Raffles has been confirmed as the operator of 85 residences attached to the forthcoming Raffles hotel in London.
As reported back in 2017, the hotel will be housed within the Grade II-listed Old War Office building in Whitehall.
Developers The Hinduja Group and Obrascon Huarte Lain Desarrollos (OHLD) have now announced that that the residences will operate as The OWO Residences by Raffles, with an updated opening date for the project of early 2022.
It will be the first Raffles-branded residences in Europe, with the development also featuring a 125-room hotel, spa facilities and nine restaurants and bars.
Completed in 1906, the seven-floor property is located at the junction of Horse Guards Parade and Whitehall, and served as the office of political and military leaders including Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, Lord Kitchener, Herbert Asquith and T.E. Lawrence.
Commenting on the news Sébastien Bazin, chairman and chief executive officer of Accor, said:
“Raffles is a beloved brand with British roots, named after the British statesman and founder of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, so it is very fitting that Raffles is coming home to London and that this will be our first residential project in Europe.
“It is an enormous privilege to be partnering with the Hinduja family and OHLD. We are thrilled to take part in this adventure and to add ‘The OWO’ to our Raffles collection, as this sublime location will undoubtedly make the list of the five most beautiful hotels in the world, alongside Raffles Singapore.”
