This building housed Winston Churchill’s and David Lloyd George’s offices, and served as MI6 headquarters in the three James Bond films.
Now, a mystery billionaire has shelled out an estimated £40million on an exclusive penthouse in the former War Office building in London’s Whitehall.
Built in 1906, the building was used as Sir Winston’s office from 1919 to 1921, when he was Secretary of State for War.
The building was an important site in both world wars. It has been used as the base by other politicians, such as Lord Haldane, Lord Kitchener, and David Lloyd George. John Profumo also used the building for his war ministry to Christine Keeler’s office.
When it was still owned by Ministry of Defence it started its association with Bond in 1983 when it first appeared in Octopussy and later A View to a Kill.
It was also visible in the background as Bond’s most recent Bond actor Daniel Craig stood on top of the nearby building in Skyfall (2012).
The billionaire British-Indian Hinduja brothers bought the building from the MOD in 2014 for £350million and have now developed it into a mega complex with a 120-room hotel, 11 restaurants and 85 private apartments.
A billionaire in his 30s was prepared to pay more than £11,000 per square foot for the penthouse flat on the fifth and six floors, according to The Times.
The building was home to Winston Churchill’s offices and David Lloyd George’s office. It also served as headquarters for MI6 during three James Bond movies. Now, a mystery billionaire has shelled out an estimated £40million on an exclusive penthouse in the former War Office building (pictured) in London’s Whitehall
It was also visible in the background as Bond actor Daniel Craig stood on top of the nearby building’s roof in Skyfall (2012).
The plans approved by Westminster council reveal that the residence will have four bedrooms and span 3,442 feet. This includes the iconic 3-storey north tower. The residence has views to the South Bank, which is on the opposite side of the Thames.
When the trophy asset was openly marketed in 2014, it was expected to attract bids of around £100 million.
In partnership with OHL Desarrollos the Hinduja Brothers spent three times as much on this 580,000-square foot property.
Rumours suggest that the owner of the penthouse apartment may be connected to the Hinduja clan.
The price they have reportedly paid per square foot – around £11,000 – is the highest amount ever handed over for a property in London.
A billionaire in his 30s was prepared to pay more than £11,000 per square foot for the penthouse flat on the fifth and six floors. Above: A picture of this stunning development
It is believed that the owner of the penthouse apartment may be someone who has connections to the Hinduja family. Above: The swimming pool at the new development
The building’s iconic turret is now part of the exclusive penthouse which an elusive billionaire has shelled out £40million on
The plans for one apartment on the second level with four bedrooms. . A penthouse with four beds is situated on 3,442 sq. feet. This includes the famous three-storey north Turret. You can see the South Bank from the South Bank.
CGI images showing the proposed development at that time were published in 2016. The new apartment will allow anyone to choose to reside in Whitehall.
Pictured before construction began, the seven-storey building is constructed of 25 million bricks as well as 30,000 tonnes Portland or York stone. Two-and-a half miles of corridors are shown (pictured), with many being ten feet wide.
When the trophy asset was openly marketed in 2014, it was expected to attract bids of around £100 million. OHL Desarrollos was a partner of the Hinduja Brothers. They ended up spending almost three times more on the property’s 580,000 sq feet. Above: Sri Hinduja (left) and Gopi Hinduja in 2017
Around £7,400 per square foot was paid for the Candy Brothers’ One Hyde Park development in 2017.
Charlie Walsh, head of residential sales for the building, told The Times: ‘Being able to reveal the news that an incredible duplex four-bed one-of-a-kind residence has sold for a record-breaking price per square foot in London is exciting for us, but we’re not surprised this home was acquired quickly.’
The development’s website, The Owo, is operated by Raffles luxury hotel chain and boasts that it’s an “exceptional address in Whitehall”.
It is comprised of 25,000,000 bricks, 30,000 tonnes Portland and York stones and spans seven floors. Two-and-a half miles of corridors run through the building, with many measuring ten feet in width.
The building was hit by four bombs in October 1940. One person died and superficial damage was done. The building was also hit with seven more bombs in the conflict, but the damage to it remained minor.
The secret service members also used the building, and the one discrete entrance still bears The Spies Entrance.
When the trophy asset was openly marketed in 2014, it was expected to attract bids of around £100 million
HOME TO WINSTON CHURCHILL & DAVID LLOYD GEORGE : THE HISTORY OFFICE IN LONDON’S WHITEHALL OLD WAR OFFICE
William Young, who was appointed architect for the War Office in 1898, died two years later.
His son, Sir John Taylor, completed the design work for this iconic structure.
To maximize the use of Whitehall’s land, it was constructed in trapezium form.
Between the initial bricks being laid in 1901 and its completion in 1906, it took five years to complete.
Many fine marble fireplaces have been incorporated in the Pall Mall former War Office. They are all more than 200 years of age.
The War Office was home to many notable secretaries, such as Lord Haldane (Lord Kitchener), David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill.
Many notable secretaries of states, including Lord Haldane and Lord Kitchener, David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, and Lord Haldane have lived in the War Office.
The War Office’s staff grew with the outbreak of World War One, and there were many teams scattered throughout London.
Four bombs were dropped on the War Office in October 1940. They caused superficial damage, and one death.
Although it was struck by seven additional bombs in the Second World War period, the building sustained minimal damage.
After the First World War, the War Office lost a lot of its importance. This was evident by drastic cuts in staff during interwar.
It employed 7,434 civil staff on April 1, 1920. By April 1, 1930, this number had dropped to 3,872; it was now at 3,872. They also decreased their responsibilities.
It remained however the center of Army administration until 1964 when the Ministry of Defence unified and the majority of the department was transferred to the main MOD Building.