UK's richest and multi-billionaire Hinduja brothers have recently acquired Winston Churchill's Old War office in Central London, one of the capital’s most iconic properties. The building which has more than 1,000 rooms and two-and-a-half miles of corridors, had escaped largely unscathed even after being bombed eight times during World War II has been bought off by the Hinduja Group. The site, situated on London’s Whitehall, was the scene where Winston Churchill coordinated Britain’s war effort against Nazi Germany.
The Hinduja Group in partnership with the Spanish investment firm Obrascon Huarte Lain Desarrollos, acquired this 580,000 square-feet British landmark on a 250-year lease arrangement for an undisclosed sum following a competitive marketing process. Previously inaccessible to the public, the building at 57 Whitehall in central London will now be restored and redeveloped into a five-star hotel and residential apartments with a spa and fitness facility.
Srichand P Hinduja and Gopichand P Hinduja, on behalf of the company, reportedly said, "We will make every efforts to honour the heritage and restoration of this national monument, elevate its status and reconnect it with the public."
"We will forge a new future for the site, creating a vibrant and sustainable destination that retains and enhances the historical importance of the building. We are proud to be playing such a crucial role in this new chapter for the Old War Office.
This Grade II-listed building was built in 1906 at a cost of £1.2 million. It was sold as part of the cost-cutting programme by the Ministry of Defence and once the redevelopment is complete is expected to be valued at more than £1 billion.
