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. Admiralty Arch was constructed by
John Mowlem & Co and completed in 1912. 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. In 2011, as part of the
United Kingdom government austerity programme, the building became vacant and was put up for sale 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. 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. The architects Blair Associates were retained by property developer Prime Investors Capital (run by
Rafael Serrano) to convert the building into a hotel, restaurant and four apartments. The residences went on sale in July 2016. The building is currently being converted into a luxury hotel under the
Waldorf Astoria brand, and is scheduled to open in 2026. There is reputedly an underground passage connecting Admiralty Arch to
10 Downing Street. ==Ceremonial use==