London’s Admiralty Arch to become hotel in 2026

One of London’s best-known landmarks, Admiralty Arch, in The Mall, opposite Buckingham Palace, is being turned into a hotel.

The Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, with two signature restaurants, will open in 2026.

The building has been home to historic figures, from World War II Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill to writer Ian Fleming.

It has a visible role in major ceremonies.

And, as the team gears up for the opening of the 100-room hotel, it has announced the two chefs who will lead its restaurants, Coreus and Cafe Boulud.

Coreus, in the former home of the First Sea Lord, will be the canvas upon which chef Clare Smyth MBE creates what the team calls a “fine dining celebration of the United Kingdom’s bountiful seas, coastal regions and farms”.

It will feature sustainably sourced seafood, high-quality meat from family farms, and local oysters and vegetables. Smyth aims to celebrate the diversity of the UK’s seafood and bring lesser-known varieties to the table.

She was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her exceptional career and significant contributions to the culinary world.

Cafe Boulud has a spectacular spot on the rooftop of Admiralty Arch and will be the home of chef Daniel Boulud. It will have all-day dining, from a breakfast with signature pastries, to lunch and dinner menus. Boulud has restaurants in New York, Palm Beach, Miami, the Bahamas, Toronto, Montreal, Singapore and Dubai. He is best known for his restaurant Daniel, which opened in New York in 1993 and has a Michelin star.

ADMIRALTY ARCH

+ Admiralty Arch, completed in 1912 was built as a ceremonial gateway and memorial to Queen Victoria. It was commissioned by her son, King Edward VII.

+ The arch was designed by Sir Aston Webb, and originally used as offices for the Admiralty. The First Sea Lord, an important figure in the Royal Navy, had his residence here.

+ It is made mostly of Portland stone — a durable limestone which is used in many of London’s grand buildings. There are five arches with ornate detailing in the Edwardian Baroque style. The big columns have Corinthian capitals and rusticated bands.

+ The Latin inscription on the building commemorates Queen Victoria. It translates to “In the 10th year of King Edward VII, to Queen Victoria (from) most grateful citizens, 1910”.