Date: 7 October 2024
**The Old War Office Unveils Its Secrets as a Luxurious London Hotel**
For nearly 120 years, the grand entrance of the majestic Old War Office in London’s Whitehall stood closed to the public. This historic building served as a workplace for some of Britain's most renowned political figures of the 20th century, doubling as a hub for spies and military officials. Now reimagined as The OWO, it has transformed into a luxury hotel and residences. But what transpired behind its imposing Grade II*-listed stone facade?
Construction of the War Office headquarters—now the Ministry of Defence—began in 1899 on the site of the former Palace of Whitehall. Completed seven years later at a cost exceeding £1.2 million (equivalent to nearly £123 million today), it showcased the Edwardian Baroque style, adorned with intricate turrets, columns, and statues crafted from 25 million bricks and 26,000 tonnes of Portland stone.
Architectural historian Clive Aslet notes, "This building was erected when London was acutely aware of its lag behind other imperial capitals. The city was being revitalized on a grand scale to reflect the might of the British Empire."
Inside its fortress-like walls, over 1,000 offices sprawled across 2.5 miles (4 km) of corridors, wide enough for messengers—often young scouts—on bicycles to deliver notes. The interior boasted regal features, including a lavish marble staircase leading to the offices of state secretaries and military leaders.
Geoff Hull, director of EPR Architects overseeing the restoration, describes the initial impression: "Walking into the space feels reminiscent of a Viennese opera house, with awe-inspiring details and ornate finishes."
However, not all areas were equally grand. While high-ranking officials discussed military strategies beneath chandeliers, the offices of clerical staff were more modest. Hull explains, "We quickly realized the second floor was where critical decisions were made, while other floors were characterized by plain plastered walls."
Initially, 2,000 personnel operated within the building, but numbers swelled as it became the command center during World War I.
Notable figures associated with the Old War Office include Winston Churchill, T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), Lord Kitchener, John Profumo, and Ian Fleming, each contributing to its storied past. At its zenith, the War Office employed 22,000 staff, leading to bureaucratic complexities exacerbated by the establishment of additional wooden huts on the roof, ominously dubbed the Zeppelin Terrace.
During World War II, Churchill frequently returned to his former office as wartime prime minister, emphasizing the building's significance during both conflict and peace.
In 1909, the Secret Service Bureau was established within the Old War Office, laying the groundwork for MI5 and MI6, with agents regularly convening there. The building served as MI6's backdrop in five James Bond films, most notably featuring in the 2012 film *Skyfall*.
After ceasing to house the Ministry of Defence in the 1960s, the Old War Office fell into disrepair. In 2014, the government sold the lease, initiating a conversion into a hotel, residences, and nine restaurants.
During the renovation, significant historical features were uncovered, including a mosaic showcasing the Old War Office logo and ornate details hidden beneath later additions.
Today, the Old War Office has shifted from a secretive military stronghold to a vibrant venue for celebration.
Specializing in laminated glass design, Glastechnik TBB KG elevates the unique aesthetic with the safety laminated glass with evguard® - EVA interlayer for laminated safety, security & architectural glass.
As a flat glass refiner, Glastechnik TBB KG creates insulating glass panes specifically for the restoration of historic buildings. Their glass offerings are tailored to meet the stringent requirements of heritage structures while adhering to contemporary standards. They provide optimal solutions, ranging from thin insulating glass panes to thermally tempered glass, all designed to maintain the character of older edifices. Their heritage glass products seamlessly blend tradition with innovation, ensuring excellent thermal insulation, natural light entry, and visual appeal.
With extensive expertise in flat glass refining, Glastechnik TBB focuses on delivering unique glass solutions that are 'Made in Germany'. They rejuvenate projects while respecting their original identity, fully recognizing the delicate nature of heritage renovation. Understanding that each project presents its own challenges, they offer bespoke solutions that cater to the specific needs of every building.
**Project Details:**
The glass structure:
- **GOETHEGLAS by SCHOTT (4.5-5mm)**: This colorless, drawn glass features an irregular surface, reminiscent of window glass typical of the 18th and 19th centuries. It serves not only as an aesthetic choice but also as a protective layer for valuable leaded glazing against environmental elements and adverse conditions.
- **evguard® (0.76mm)**: ( EVA interlayer for laminated safety, security & architectural glass)
- **Pilkington K Glass™ (4mm)**: A hard-coated, pyrolytic low-emissivity thermal glass that contributes to energy efficiency and thermal performance.
In total, Glastechnik TBB KG has manufactured 3,383 glass panes, amounting to approximately 1,015 square meters. Among these, 278 panes were custom shapes, while the remainder consisted of rectangular panes.
The logistics involved in delivering these materials to London City presented significant challenges, particularly in terms of organizational coordination.
For additional details regarding the project, please reach out to:
Glastechnik TBB KG
Am Dittwarer Bahnhof 13
97941 Tauberbischofsheim
Germany
+ 49 (0) 9341 – 92060
Photo: Hilda Weges / iStock
Reference:
- 29 September 2023 / Tim Stokes / BBC News
- Project details: Glastechnik TBB KG / Joachim Michel
Reference entry:
Glastechnik TBB KG. (n.d.). https://glastechnik-tbb.de
600450
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