London: The Hinduja Group, in partnership with a Spanish industrial company, has acquired UK's iconic Old War Office building that was once occupied by Britain's war-time Prime Minister?Winston Churchill.
The heritage building was acquired by the Hinduja Group, headed by S P Hinduja, Chairman, and G P Hinduja, Co-Chairman, in partnership with Obrascon Huarte Lain Desarrollos (OHLD).
The landmark building at 57 Whitehall in central London will now be restored and re-developed into a five star hotel and residential apartments, and will also feature a series of private function rooms as well as a spa and fitness facility.
Previously inaccessible to the public, a commitment has also been made to grant new access to the building with an outdoor public space also part of the re-development plans.
Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Hinduja Group, in partnership with OHLD, who's main shareholder is Grupo Villar Mir, has been successful in the acquisition of the Old War Office.
The 580,000 square-feet property was sold on a 250-year lease arrangement to the companies for an undisclosed sum following a competetive marketing process, it said yesterday.
Srichand P Hinduja and Gopichand P Hinduja, on behalf of the company, 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," the Hinduja brothers said.
Juan-Miguel Villar-Mir, Chair of the OHLD Group and Grupo Villar Mir, said: "We are very proud to be participating in one of the most important development projects in the world."
"We have a thorough understanding and appreciation of heritage and conservation issues and our commitment now as custodians of this landmark building is to leverage its untapped historical value and potential cultural and social significance," he said.
Once the office of Churchill, the building was constructed in the years between the start of the 20th century and the outbreak of the First World War. .