Beyond Ambani & Tata: Inside Sanjay Hinduja's Rs 13,000-Cr Hotel, Formerly London's War Office

Back in 2015, the Hinduja Group acquired Winston Churchill's war office (Old War Office) from World War II and then transformed it into a renowned hotel.

The transformation from a dilapidated building to an ultra luxurious hotel did come at a huge cost. Before we get down to the numbers, not many know that the Hindujas came across the decrepit building opposite Downing Street during their morning walk in London. It was then that they made up their mind to acquire it.

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According to Moneycontrol, the Hinduja family made a substantial investment of Rs 13,000 crore (1.3 billion pounds) in the project. This included an initial payment of Rs 3,973 crore and an additional Rs 9,000 crore spread over the following eight years. The investment aimed at creating a high-end, contemporary hotel equipped with modern facilities.

Sanjay Hinduja had said, ¡°No expense has been spared in bringing it back to its former glory and paying homage to its heritage, whilst breathing new life into it. Along with Raffles London at The OWO, we hope to create a legacy that is both timeless and unsurpassed,¡± as per a report in The Hindu Business Line.

Hindujas Are One Of The Wealthiest Families In London

The family's extensive business portfolio includes interests in Ashok Leyland, Gulf Oil Limited, and IndusInd Bank. According to Forbes and publicly accessible information, the Hinduja family boasts a net worth of $20 billion (more than Rs 1.7 Lakh crore approx). In collaboration with Raffles Hotels & Resorts, the Hindujas undertook the transformation of a historic building, once the office of Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II, into an ultra-luxurious hotel.

Raffles Hotel at The OWO Was Inaugurated Last Year

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The Old War Office, originally erected in 1906, was inaugurated as a world-class hotel in 2023. Co-chairman GP Hinduja, in an official statement shared by the Hinduja Group, had said, ¡°It took us eight years, and in these eight years we had a lot to do, but finally, this iconic building has been converted into peace and solace, not World Wars. It is the legacy not only of the Hinduja Group but London as a great destination. Everyone who lands in London will first come here to see what it is.¡±

Inside The Ultra-Luxurious Hotel

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Nevertheless, the hotel is just one facet of the narrative. The compound not only features a high-end hotel with nightly room rates spanning from Rs 1,10,000 to Rs 25,00,000 but also comprises 85 furnished residences open for acquisition, accommodating various budget ranges. These fully furnished properties are available for Rs 4 crore for a one-bedroom flat, Rs 8 crore for two bedrooms, Rs 10 crore for three bedrooms, and starting from Rs 17 crore for four-five bedrooms.