Admiralty Arch
{{about|the building in London|the building in Anglesey|Admiralty Arch, Holyhead}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Admiralty Arch
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| status = Grade I listed
| image = Admiralty Arch, London, England - June 2009.jpg
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| address = The Mall
| location_country = United Kingdom
| coordinates = {{Coord|51.50678|-0.12869|format=dms|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
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| completion_date = {{start date and age|1912}}
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| architect = Aston Webb
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| owner = HM Government
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| map_type = United Kingdom Central London
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| map_caption = Location of Admiralty Arch in central London
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| building_type = Triumphal arch, government building
| architectural_style = Neoclassical
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| client = Edward VII
| current_tenants = Motcomb Estates
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| main_contractor = John Mowlem & Co
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| image_caption = Admiralty Arch seen from The Mall, June 2009
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The Admiralty Arch is a historic landmark building in London, providing road and pedestrian access between The Mall, which extends to the southwest, and Trafalgar Square to the northeast. Commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria, it was designed by Aston Webb, and is now a Grade I listed building. Until 2011, the building housed government offices, including the residence of the First Sea Lord, and was used by the Admiralty. In 2012, the government sold the building on a 125-year lease for £60m for redevelopment into the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch luxury hotel, which is scheduled to open in 2026.https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4125997.html
History
The arch was designed by Aston Webb, who also designed the Victoria Memorial and the new façade of Buckingham Palace at the other end of the Mall.{{cite news| last=Heathcote| first=Edward| title=Why London's Admiralty Arch is more than just a grand entrance| url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/a7e59a56-49a5-11e6-8d68-72e9211e86ab.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/a7e59a56-49a5-11e6-8d68-72e9211e86ab.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| newspaper=Financial Times| pages=1, 11| location=London| date=25 July 2016}}{{rp|1}} Admiralty Arch was constructed by John Mowlem & Co and completed in 1912.Mowlem 1822 – 1972, p. 4 It adjoins the Old Admiralty Building, hence the name. The building was commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of his mother Queen Victoria, although he did not live to see its completion in 1912. Admiralty Arch served as the official residence of the First Sea Lord, including Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. It also housed various government offices, initially for the Admiralty.{{rp|1}}
The structure, which combines the features of a triumphal arch with those of a government office building, is asymmetrical. As viewed from the Mall, the right wing of the building has one floor more than the left one: below the cornice there are three on the right, but just two on the left.{{rp|11}}
File:Admiralty Arch - London (cropped) - Latin inscription.jpg
A Latin inscription along the top reads:
{{Blockquote|{{center| : ANNO : DECIMO : EDWARDI : SEPTIMI : REGIS :
: VICTORIÆ : REGINÆ : CIVES : GRATISSIMI : MDCCCCX :
(In the tenth year of King Edward VII, to Queen Victoria, from most grateful citizens, 1910)}}}}
File:Navigation by Sir Thomas Brock, Admiralty Arch, London.jpg
The sculptural figures of Navigation (left) and Gunnery (right) at the end of the two wings were designed by the English sculptor Thomas Brock.
Beneath the building is a warren of tunnels and chambers, including vaults which used to house the government archives.{{rp|11}}
In 2000, the Cabinet Office moved into offices in the building, while maintaining its headquarters on Whitehall. It was also home to the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit and the Social Exclusion Task Force.{{citation |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199899/cmselect/cmpubadm/82/8120815.htm |date=January 1999 |title=Note by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on the Cabinet Office Accommodation Project}} In 2011, as part of the United Kingdom government austerity programme, the building became vacant and was put up for sale{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/constructionandproperty/8865660/Londons-Admiralty-Arch-could-become-a-hotel-under-Government-plans.html |title=London's Admiralty Arch could become a hotel under Government plans |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=3 November 2011 |first=Graham |last=Ruddick}} for a reported £75 million. In October 2012, the winning bidder was reported to be the Spanish real estate developer Rafael Serrano, who planned to turn the property into a luxury hotel. The property was sold as a 125-year lease.Batty, David (24 October 2012). [https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/oct/24/admiralty-arch-sold-luxury-hotel?newsfeed=true "London landmark Admiralty Arch sold to become luxury hotel"]. The Guardian. London.{{cite news| first1=Ed| last1=Hammond| author2=Jim Pickard| author3=Sally Gainsbury| url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9a01ff80-1df1-11e2-8e1d-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2AuWs1tz7| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210201200/https://www.ft.com/content/9a01ff80-1df1-11e2-8e1d-00144feabdc0#axzz2AuWs1tz7| archive-date=10 December 2022| url-access=subscription| url-status=live| title=Admiralty Arch sold to Spanish investor| newspaper=Financial Times| location=London| date=24 October 2012| access-date=20 December 2021}}
In August 2013, Westminster City Council granted full planning permission for the restoration and conversion of Admiralty Arch into a 100-room hotel, residences and private members' club.{{cite press release| url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/admiralty-arch-proposal-gets-go-ahead| title=Admiralty Arch proposal gets go ahead| date=20 August 2013| publisher=Cabinet Office| access-date=20 December 2021}}
The architects Blair Associates were retained by property developer Prime Investors Capital (run by Rafael Serrano){{cite web| url=http://www.admiraltyarch.co.uk/who-we-are/| title=Who We Are| access-date=2018-08-06| website=Admiralty Arch}} to convert the building into a hotel, restaurant and four apartments. The residences went on sale in July 2016.{{rp|11}}
In 2022, Motcomb Estates took over development of Admiralty Arch.{{cite news |url=https://www.thecaterer.com/news/reuben-brothers-acquire-admiralty-arch-development |title=Billionaire Reuben brothers acquire hotel development at Admiralty Arch |newspaper=The Caterer |date=28 June 2022 |first=Janet |last=Harmer }} The building is currently being converted into a luxury hotel under the Waldorf Astoria brand,{{cite news |url=https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Accommodation/Waldorf-Astoria-set-to-open-Admiralty-Arch-hotel-in-2025#:~:text=Plans%20to%20convert%20the%20historic,set%20to%20open%20in%202025. |title=Waldorf Astoria set to open Admiralty Arch hotel in 2025 |newspaper=BTN Europe|date=5 December 2022 |first=Rob |last=Gill }} and is scheduled to open in 2026.
There is reputedly an underground passage connecting Admiralty Arch to 10 Downing Street.
Ceremonial use
As the ceremonial entrance from Trafalgar Square to The Mall, itself the ceremonial road leading up to Buckingham Palace, Admiralty Arch plays an important role on ceremonial occasions. Processions at royal weddings, funerals, coronations and other public processions such as the 2012 processions at the end of the Olympic and Paralympic Games all passed under its arches.Peck, Tom (25 October 2012). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/admiralty-arch-to-become-londons-next-landmark-hotel-after-sale-to-spanish-investor-8226016.html "Admiralty Arch to become London's next landmark hotel after sale to Spanish investor"]. The Independent. London. The central archway is reserved for use by royalty.{{rp|1}}
Nose
File:London - Admiralty Arch nose - 140811 115649.jpg
{{main|London Noses}}On the inside wall of the northernmost arch is a small protrusion the size and shape of a human nose. It was placed there by the artist Rick Buckley in 1997 as part of a campaign against the "Big Brother" society. The nose is at a height of about seven feet, and sits at waist-height for anyone riding through the arch on a horse.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/thats-blown-it-man-who-put-noses-on-london-landmarks-is-unmasked-6453089.html |title=That's blown it! Man who put noses on London landmarks is unmasked |first=Ross |last=Lydall |date=13 October 2011 |newspaper=Evening Standard |location=London}}
References
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External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
- [https://www.archerhumphryes.com/hotels-resorts/admiralty-arch-waldorf-astoria Official website of architects for commercial redevelopment]
- [https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1238982 Admiralty Arch at the Historic England website]
{{Trafalgar Square}}
{{London landmarks}}
{{Grade I and II* listed British military structures}}
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Category:Monuments and memorials in London
Category:National government buildings in London
Category:Triumphal arches in the United Kingdom
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1912
Category:1912 establishments in England
Category:Grade I listed buildings in the City of Westminster
Category:Grade I listed government buildings
Category:Grade I listed monuments and memorials
Category:Grade I listed office buildings
Category:Tourist attractions in the City of Westminster
Category:Edwardian architecture in London
Category:Neoclassical architecture in London