Opulence meets history at this Angel O’Donnell-designed abode in the former Old War Office.
Situated in the Grade II-listed neo-baroque Old War Office where Winston Churchill commanded the British Armed Forces, and Ian Fleming dreamt up James Bond, this opulent 2,807 square foot three-bedroom apartment by award-winning interior design studio Angel O’Donnell is the crème de la crème of what the opulent OWO Residences by Raffles has to offer, and which has now been listed for £14.25 million.
Developed by Hinduja Group, the OWO is an extravagant reincarnation of the former Old War Office, which was completed in 1906, which will offer a collection of 85 apartments alongside a host of residents-only amenities, an opulent five-star Raffles Hotel, and 11 bars and restaurants.
Intended as a collector’s piece for the likes of a seasoned traveller and cultural connoisseur, the apartment features a gallery-inspired entrance hall, an eclectic living room, a kitchen, a study, and three bedrooms, all with statement furniture and remarkable artwork penetrated throughout.
Entering the home, you’re greeted with a grand, elegant entryway with many original architectural features, including the lofty ceilings, decorative mouldings, and the ornate mosaic floor as a nod to the building’s former life.
Meanwhile, two British-made mid-century Murano glass pendants dialogue with a delightful collection of art pieces by landscape painter Richard Ballinger, figurative painter Henrietta Dubrey, modernist pioneers Sandra Blow and Terry Frost, as well as new-wave sculptor Julian Opie, that all together offer hints of what to expect in the eclectic living room further in.
A room to receive citizens of the world and entertain on a big scale, the living area is rich in details with cultural references abounding, including an aged hand-knotted rug of Arabesque ornamentation, and two cocktail chairs by the window that are upholstered in a slubbed jacquard, reminiscent of 17th century needlepoint embroidery.
Such a thoughtful cultural pedigree continues into the kitchen, where you can find ceramic plates by Joseph Dupré, black and white photographs by Eve Arnold, and a witty depiction of a waiter mixing a Martini by Guy Buffet, which serves as a comical nod to Bond’s preference for “shaken not stirred”.
The study clad in dark blue panelling embraces a more playful, dramatic design language to echo a mix of art and curios – from a trio of Arnold’s photographs, a hand-built replica of the 1962 Le Mans Class Winner – Ferrari 250 GTO – 3705GT to two inspiring portraits of Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II, one by Graham Sutherland and the other by Chris Levine.
In the principal bedroom, a four-poster bed with tapering bobbin posts takes centre stage, fitted with a Savoir mattress that promises maximised comfort. The room connects to a more vibrant dressing room where two giclée prints of cherry blossoms by Damien Hirst take pride of place.
Angel O’Donnell is the recipient of the Overall Winner trophy at the SBID Awards 2021. More recently, the firm won Best Residential Interior and Best Mixed-Use Interior, Europe, at the International Property Awards 2022.
