The practice was first approached in 2015 by our client, the Hinduja Group, due to our extensive experience with listed buildings and previous success retrofitting heritage assets for new hospitality use.

As architect, EPR sensitively and meticulously restored, extended, and reimagined the London landmark, reincarnating the Grade II* listed former government headquarters into an outstanding placemaking destination featuring a five-star luxury hotel — 120-key Raffles London at The OWO — as well as 85 luxury residences, a plethora of exciting restaurants and bars and a destination Guerlain spa and health club comprising an extensive gym and striking 20m pool.

One of the most important elements of the building’s transition into a hotel was EPR’s extensive yet sensitive restoration, a process that took eight years. A stable of artisan craftspeople worked meticulously to give a new lease of life to a host of period details including delicate hand-laid mosaic floors, beautifully carved oak panelling that adorned the former Old War Office suites and the building’s magnificent marble staircase.