Interior kitchen image showing black wooden furniture and Gaggenau appliances.

Corridors of power, residences of desirability

When creating a unique residence for a discerning elite, nothing shapes the final outcome as much as those specialists the developers and architects partner with. For the conversion of the Old War Office (The OWO), the chosen interior designers, 1508 London, specified the kitchen craftspeople Smallbone, who turned to long term partners Gaggenau to supply the appliances. Together, these partners established from the outset an exceptionally high level of craftsmanship, luxury and service.

Interior image of the grand staircase in the Old War Office

However, there is one aspect no amount of expense can create: history. The OWO, in the very heart of Whitehall, central London, hums with past power. Winston Churchill, cigar in hand, ruled the Empire’s armed forces from the building’s grand suite of offices. T.E. Lawrence (‘of Arabia’) climbed this immense marble staircase and Naval Intelligence Officer Ian Fleming roamed these corridors soaking up inspiration for his alter ego: Bond, James Bond. Five Bond movies would subsequently be filmed here. You are in illustrious company.

“We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.”

Sir Winston Churchill

Interior kitchen image showing black wooden furniture and Gaggenau appliances.
“Raffles have been waiting 130 years for a chance like this.”

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO, Accor

This is grand, money-can’t-buy heritage with all the modern luxury one could want. The imposing entrance stuns, with vast, sky-high ornate ceilings that only reveal their intricate details to those fortunate enough to climb the acres of marble staircase.

Fittingly it is Raffles that is defining both The OWO’s 120 room hotel and servicing the 85 branded Raffles residences. Raffles’ particular take on modern luxury and old-world grandeur are exquisitely suited to the architecture of The OWO. A team of renowned designers and specialists have been assembled by the building’s owners the Hinduja Group to do justice to their Grade II* Listed treasure. English Heritage and Museum of London Archeologists advised EPR Architects (of ‘The Ned’ fame) on the details of the restoration, while N.Y. designer Thierry W Despont created the hotel and 1508 London brought the residences to life.

Kitchen dining area with reflection showing Gaggenau appliances and an image of the stair case in the Old War Office.
Image of a kitchen and dining area featuring Gaggenau appliances

With every residence being unique in shape, aspect or size, bespoke solutions for the cabinetry quickly extended to the appliances. Kitchens are handcrafted affairs by Smallbone, 1508 London specified the Brazilian Taj Mahal worktops and Crema Marfil stone flooring. Appliances are, of course, Gaggenau, the distinctive stainless steel controls, TFT display and handleless doors, fitting in perfectly.

In keeping with the architectural scale and grandeur, Gaggenau supplied its suite of sleek built-in appliances from cooking to cooling and dishwashing.

Front exterior of the Old War Office, London.

Exclusivity is synonymous with The OWO as residents can enjoy 30,000 sqft of private amenities, from the expected (gym and cinema) to the less so (treatment suites, games room, residents’ lounges, private dining and landscaped garden). Across the wider building, residents can enjoy The OWO’s nine destination restaurants and three bars, all on their very own doorstep.

Built to impress a very different world in 1906, The OWO harks back and looks forward, with the residences already setting new records for value per square foot in the rarified luxury London property market.