31 Oct 2017
London's landmark Admiralty Arch to become luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel
BY Kim Megson
One of London’s most famous monuments, the Admiralty Arch, is to be converted into a Waldorf Astoria hotel.
The iconic building was commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of Queen Victoria, and completed in 1910 by architect Sir Aston Webb – the creator of The Mall and the main facade at Buckingham Palace.
Sir Winston Churchill had an office in the Arch when he was First Sea Lord of the Admiralty, and James Bond creator Ian Fleming also spent time working there. The landmark later served as a centre for clandestine wartime intelligence efforts, a Royal Navy outpost, and latterly as a centre for the UK Government’s Cabinet Office.
In 2015 real estate firm Prime Investors Capital outbid 28 institutional bidders to acquire the 250-year lease of the property from the government. It has now appointed Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts to operate a 96-bedroom hotel there.
Set to open in 2022, the Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria will also feature three restaurants, luxury private residences, a private members' club, meeting and event spaces, and a spa and a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the skyline towards Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column.
A design team led by Michael Blair and David Mlinaric will oversee the refurbishment to “restore and protect the iconic landmark’s architectural and historical features”. Blair has previously extended the Ritz and Claridge’s, while Mlinaric has renovated The Royal Opera House, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The National Gallery and the British Residences in London and Paris. Historical interiors expert Andrew Damonte completes the design team.
“We've made many decisions that will impact not only the future of the building and the local area, but also the profile of the very heart of London,” said Rafael Serrano, CEO of Prime Investors Capital. “We’ve appointed a team of talented experts with the experience and knowledge to capture the spirit of this magnificent building.
“Further to interest and discussions with 12 top luxury hotel brands, we're delighted to announce the creation of Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria, London. We hold many things in common with Waldorf Astoria: a commitment to enhance the heritage of this remarkable, elegant building; a determination to preserve its sense of place; and the experience needed to provide superb hospitality to discerning guests from London and around the world.”
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