Admiralty Arch

Admiralty Arch, located at the end of The Mall in London, stands as a grand tribute commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria. The archway was designed by the renowned architect Sir Aston Webb, who was also responsible for the redesign of The Mall and the creation of the Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace. Webb’s contributions to London's architectural heritage also include the Victoria and Albert Museum and the principal facade of Buckingham Palace.

Construction of Admiralty Arch began under Webb’s guidance, but King Edward VII did not live to see its completion; he passed away in 1910, the same year the arch's foundation stone was laid. The structure was completed in 1912 by the building firm John Mowlem & Co. An inscription in Latin above the central archway commemorates its dedication to Queen Victoria. Admiralty Arch features two wings that originally housed office spaces used by the British Admiralty. One notable office was that of the First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy.

The arch served as a functional office building for the British government until 2011. In 2012, Admiralty Arch was sold to the Waldorf Astoria group, which undertook a significant renovation to transform the historic building into a luxury hotel. This transformation included the addition of 100 hotel rooms, private residences, and an exclusive club. The interior design of the hotel was entrusted to leading designers, ensuring a blend of historical elegance and modern luxury. Today, Admiralty Arch stands not only as a monument to Victorian and Edwardian grandeur but also as a vibrant part of London's hospitality landscape, bridging the past with the present in its new role as a luxurious hotel.