Savills and Knight Frank jointly launches Londons first Raffles hotel and 85 Raffles branded private residences at The OWO
Savills Singapore and Knight Frank is proud to offer The OWO for sale, a highly-anticipated 760,000 square feet development located in London’s historic Whitehall, SW1. The OWO will complete in spring/summer 2023, the new landmark destination will include a 120 key 5* Raffles Hotel, 11 restaurants & bars, a wellness spa and 85 Raffles branded residences. Prices for a two-bedroom residence will start from £7.1 million.
World-renowned Raffles Hotels & Resorts has a reputation for providing unparalleled luxury experiences, and this partnership will undoubtedly set a new benchmark for luxury living in London. The partnership between the Hinduja Group and Raffles Hotels & Resorts means residents and guests will have the exceptional service hallmarks that the Raffles brand is renowned for, including gracious and intuitive staff, personalized attention, and a timeless ambience. The OWO promises to be a stunning addition to London’s luxury property market.
The Old War Office, one of London’s most iconic landmarks, has undergone a six year transformation to become The OWO. Sales of the branded The OWO Residences began in mid-2020 and have generated consistent interest from Asian buyers who are attracted to the rarity of the offering, the landmark building’s unparalleled historical significance, its central London location, and the level of exclusive service provided by Raffles Hotel. The lifting of travel restrictions for Hong Kong and mainland China residents is expected to further boost Asian interest in the project.
Jacqueline Wong, Savills Singapore, Head of Residential Services comments, “Savills Private Office is delighted to present this rare and unique offering for buyers to own a piece of history. Having been there in person, the sublime finishes at The OWO Residences are unparalleled and best in class. This coupled with partnering Raffles Hotel makes the opportunity to live here, truly one of a kind. The location is unrivalled with St. James Park, Buckingham Palace, The House of Lords and Horse Guards Parade all within minutes’ walk. This means that residents are truly living in the heart of London, within an area rich in history. More significantly, the large apartment sizes (above 200sqm) will be a rarity in time to come, hence elevating the appeal and value of this asset. The lack of Super Prime supply in London over the
next five years, means The OWO Residences presents an opportunity for buyers to own an asset that will become finite in supply.”
Victoria Garrett, Head of Residential, Knight Frank Asia-Pacific comments, “Knight Frank is hugely excited to bring to the market the OWO residences which will be the first-ever Raffles-branded residences with the first-ever Raffles Hotel in the United Kingdom with a collection of 11 restaurants and bars and 85 Raffles Branded Residences (up to 5 bedrooms) which comes up at a perfect time especially after pent-up demand following the pandemic, resulting in buyers looking for a combination of luxury, convenience and old-world charm. According to Knight Frank’s Branded Residences Report 2022, around 43% of prime Asian buyers (39%) would be willing to pay a premium for a branded residence with service provision and physical amenities being the key motivator, followed by high investment potential.
“Raffles Hotels & Resorts is a chain of British colonial-style luxury hotels which traces its roots to 1887 with the opening of the original Raffles Hotel in Singapore founded by the Armenian hoteliers, Sarkies Brothers and named after Singapore’s founder Sir Stamford Raffles which amalgamates both resonance and luxury perfectly for particularly Singaporean buyers.” Garrett adds.
Charlie Walsh, Head of Sales at The OWO Residences by Raffles comments,” We very much look forward to welcoming prospective Asian buyers and guests to London following the lifting of travel restrictions.”
“The enduring appeal of the capital from both an investment and lifestyle perspective, together with the uniqueness of the residential offering at The OWO, has meant that international buyers have continued to show very strong interest in the project even during the pandemic years, with virtual tours and CGIs helping to showcase the building and the 85 residences. However, nothing compares to visiting this incredible site in person, when one can witness the astounding restoration that has been carried out and truly appreciate the lifestyle that will be delivered at The OWO, set to become London’s most exciting new destination and residential address,” Walsh adds.
The OWO will also become a culinary destination in the heart of Whitehall, central London, featuring nine restaurants and three bars, including three dining experiences led by Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco, marking his London debut, and Italian all-day dining concept by Papermoon. (Further restaurants are soon to be announced.)
The OWO has also recently announced the project’s partnership with world-leading beauty and wellbeing brand GUERLAIN and movement and nutrition experts PILLAR, who will be leading the spa and wellness centre at The OWO.
The Grade II listed Old War Office, originally completed in 1906 by British architect William Young, is steeped in history. Formerly the site of the original Palace of Whitehall, home to royalty between 1530 – 1698, the Old War Office has witnessed world-shaping events whilst influential political and military leaders including Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George held office. It was also John Profumo’s base when he was Secretary of State and inspired Ian Fleming to write the James Bond series after working for Britain’s Naval Intelligence Service and spending time in the building.
Its grand architecture has made the building a dramatic location in a number of the Bond films, and more recently The Crown drama series.
The OWO directly faces Horse Guards and lies within easy walking distance of the capital’s highlights. Residents, hotel guests and visitors will be just a short stroll from Buckingham Palace, The National Gallery, The Tate, The Royal Academy, St James’ Park, Embankment and South Bank, as well as the sought-after shopping streets of Regent Street, Bond Street and Jermyn Street.
At the helm of The OWO project is the Hinduja Group, an international multi-billion group founded in 1914. They have engaged a team of experts including English Heritage, MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) and EPR Architects to oversee the intricate redevelopment. The hotel interiors will be designed by New York-based designer Thierry Despont, and the residences designed by award-winning interior architects 1508 London. The OWO has recently unveiled the first completed show residences within the building, designed by leading British interior design studios Albion Nord and Angel O’Donnell.
