Admiralty Arch

Admiralty Arch is a famous building in London. It connects The Mall to the southwest with Trafalgar Square to the northeast. King Edward VII asked for it to be built to honor his mother, Queen Victoria. The architect was Aston Webb, and today it is very important as a Grade I listed building.

For many years, the building had offices for the government and was where the First Sea Lord lived. It was also used by the Admiralty. In 2012, the government sold the building for £60 million to be turned into a fancy hotel called the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch. The hotel is planned to open in 2026.

History

The Admiralty Arch was designed by Aston Webb, who also worked on the Victoria Memorial and the front of Buckingham Palace. It was finished in 1912 and was built to honor Queen Victoria by her son, King Edward VII, though he didn’t live to see it completed. For many years, it was the home of important navy leaders and held many government offices.

The building looks like both a grand arch and an office building. It has interesting sculptures and hidden tunnels underneath. In later years, it stood empty before being turned into a fancy hotel, which is set to open in 2026.

Ceremonial use

Admiralty Arch is the special entrance from Trafalgar Square to The Mall, the road that leads to Buckingham Palace. It is used during important events like royal weddings, funerals, and coronations. Big celebrations, like the end of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, also had their processions pass under the arches of Admiralty Arch. The big middle arch is only for royalty to use.

Nose

Main article: London Noses

Inside the northernmost arch of Admiralty Arch, there is a small shape that looks like a human nose. An artist named Rick Buckley placed it there in 1997 to make a statement about watching over people too closely. The nose is about seven feet high and would be at waist-height for someone riding through the arch on a horse.