Mumbai, March 02, 2016: Hinduja Group today announced that they acquired the legendary heritage building, Old War Office that was once inhabited by the Britain’s war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill from the British Ministry of Defence. Mr. Gopichand P Hinduja, Global Co-Chairman of the Hinduja Group along with Mr. Prakash P Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group (Europe) and Mr. Juan-Miguel Villar-Mir, Chairman of the Villar-Mir and OHL Group were handed the keys to the historic building at a ceremony held in London last evening.

The grand building is located at 57, Whitehall, close to the British Parliament and the Prime Minister’s residence sprawling across 580,000 square feet and spread over seven floors connected by more than three kilometres of corridors. The heritage building with 1,100 rooms will be restored and re-developed by The Hinduja Group into a five-star hotel and residential apartments and will also feature a series of private-function rooms, a spa and fitness facility.

 

On the occasion of the handover, Mr. GP Hinduja, Global Co-Chairman, Hinduja Group said, “With our Spanish partners, we have a unique vision for the Old War Office – our ambitious plans will give it a new lease of life and add a glittering new jewel to London’s crown.” He further added that the restoration work is their way of giving something back to the United Kingdom as an ode.

 

Celebrating the occasion Mr. PP Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group (Europe) said, “In keeping with the dynamic spirit of London we want to give this building a new lease of life, while remaining conscious of its unique heritage. We have a new vision for the Old War Office and will work meticulously to restore the distinctive and historic fabric of the building and convert it into a distinguished hotel and luxury residences, bringing a further dimension to this prominent Whitehall landmark.”

 

Indian High Commissioner to the UK Navtej Singh Sarna, Former National Security Adviser of India and former Governor of West Bengal MK Narayanan, leading NRI hotelier and Chairman of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan UK Joginder Sanger, and Sanjiv Chadha of the State Bank of India who are funding the project, were also present at the occasion.

 

Mr Sanjiv Chadha of the State Bank of India said:  “With this high profile project and collaboration we have stepped into the London real estate market and we are committed to the successful completion of the project.” 

The building has been acquired on a 250-year lease arrangement by The Hinduja Group in partnership with Spanish industrial company Obrascon Huarte Lain Desarrollos (OHLD) following a competitive marketing process.