Case Study

Old War Office

London

The Old War Office is a stately, Grade II listed Edwardian building situated in the heart of Whitehall, London. This impressive architecture is only a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, the House of Commons, Westminster Abbey and Downing Street, and is known for being an iconic building of significant political and historical national heritage.

The building was recently sold by Her Majesty’s Government in 2015 for more than £350m to the joint Indian conglomerate Hinduja Group and the Spanish construction group Obrascón Huarte Laín Desarrollos. The purchase will see this already dignified and splendid building turned into a lavish and elegant state-of-the-art hotel with The Raffles Group.

Originally completed in 1906, it once served as a centre of official intelligence. The building was a former department of the British government and housed the administration of the British Army between 1857 and 1964. Once used as Winston Churchill’s former war office, these headquarters have also housed additional significant political and military leaders, including David Lloyd George, Herbert Asquith, Lord Kitchener and TE Lawrence.

Set to open in 2022, the 54,000 sq metres will house 125 hotel rooms, 85 private residences, nine restaurants and bars, a spa, and boutique retail experiences, along with a state-of-the-art gymnasium and 25-metre pool.

However, to keep hold of its historical architecture and design, the building will remain largely retained. All heritage sash windows and heritage casement windows will be subject to a full heritage sash window restoration, and a new double-height basement and breathtaking rooftop extension will be added. Visitors arriving from Horse Guards Avenue will also be greeted by a splendidly redesigned internal quadrangle courtyard providing an exclusive arrival experience.

The redevelopment project has been carried out by Ardmore Group, with TRC contracted as partners to restore over 1,000 timber sash windows throughout the building.

Project Name Old War Office

Building Type Government Building

Listing Grade II* listed

Client Ardmore Group

Value £1.5m

Duration 12 months

Description of works TRC were acting as subcontractor undertaking the external refurbishment to over 1000 sash windows, works included : survey, window repairs, glass replacement and painting.

During the window replacement phase, the following aspects of repair were undertaken:

01

An initial full survey of windows was carried out.

02

All screws, staff beads, sashes, parting beads, ironmongery, chains and sash weights are carefully removed and labelled.

03

Sashes were carried to the workshop, where they are assessed for window repairs. Windows are planed if required, and two grooves have been routed to bottom sash and one to the top sash to allow for draughtproofing and window decoration. Frames and sashes had rotten and badly damaged wood routed out, and repairs were carried out using the Repair Care System, with wood plugs and/or splicing where necessary. Loose or flaking paint has been removed from frames before being accessed for repairs.

04

Once removed, ironmongery had been cleaned, refurbished and polished.

05

Sash window glass replacement was carried out by carefully removing broken panes, as well as the glazing beads. Rebates were cleaned before the new glass was beaded with brown glazing silicone and the beads.

06

Chains were checked for damage and lubricated with chain grease where necessary.

07

Sash weights were re-weighted to ensure the windows are balanced.

Internal and external heritage sash window decoration

Windows and frames were rubbed down and prepped using wire wool, tack cloths and graded sandpaper, and have been filled where necessary using a tinted two-pack filler.

Wood dye was used on bare wood and badly discoloured areas to match the surrounding tone.

Two coats of walnut satin quick-dry varnish has been applied to the interior, along with two coats of rosewood Sadolin wood stain to the exterior.