Admiralty Arch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Admiralty Arch |
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Admiralty Arch seen from The Mall, June 2009
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| General information | |
| Status | Grade I listed |
| Type | Triumphal arch, government building |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Address | The Mall |
| Town or city | London, SW1 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Current tenants | Prime Investors Capital |
| Completed | 1912 |
| Client | King Edward VII |
| Owner | Prime Investors Capital |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Aston Webb |
| Main contractor | John Mowlem & Co |
Admiralty Arch is a famous building in London, England. It acts like a giant gateway. It connects The Mall to Trafalgar Square.
King Edward VII asked for it to be built. It was a way to remember his mother, Queen Victoria. The building was designed by a famous architect named Aston Webb. Today, it is a special historic building, known as a Grade I listed building.
For many years, Admiralty Arch was used by the government. It even housed the First Sea Lord. This was a very important naval leader. In 2012, the government sold the building. It is now being turned into a luxury hotel and apartments.
History of Admiralty Arch
Building the Arch
Admiralty Arch was designed by Aston Webb. He also designed the Victoria Memorial. This memorial is at the other end of The Mall. Webb also worked on the front of Buckingham Palace.
The building was constructed by a company called John Mowlem & Co. It was finished in 1912. The arch is next to the Old Admiralty Building. This is where it gets its name.
King Edward VII ordered the arch to be built. He wanted it to honor his mother, Queen Victoria. Sadly, he passed away before it was completed in 1912.
What the Arch Was Used For
Admiralty Arch served many purposes. It was the official home for the First Sea Lord. One famous person who lived there was Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma.
The building also held many government offices. These offices belonged to the Admiralty at first. The Admiralty was in charge of the Royal Navy.
The arch is a mix of a triumphal arch and an office building. It looks a bit uneven. If you look at it from The Mall, the right side has one more floor than the left.
Special Details on the Arch
There is a Latin message carved along the top of the arch. It says:
: 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)
This means it was built in the tenth year of King Edward VII's rule. It was a gift from grateful citizens to Queen Victoria.
There are also two large statues. They are on the ends of the two wings of the building. These statues were made by an English sculptor named Thomas Brock.
- One statue is called Navigation. It represents sailing and exploring.
- The other statue is called Gunnery. It represents cannons and naval warfare.
Underground Secrets
Beneath Admiralty Arch, there are many hidden tunnels and rooms. Some of these rooms were used to store important government papers.
In 2000, some government offices moved into the building. These included the Cabinet Office. In 2011, the building became empty. The government decided to sell it.
The Arch Today
In 2012, a Spanish developer named Rafael Serrano bought the building. He planned to turn it into a fancy hotel. The building was sold with a 125-year lease. This means he can use it for 125 years.
In 2013, the city council approved the plans. They agreed to let the building be restored. It will become a 100-room hotel, homes, and a private club.
The architects Blair Associates are working on the project. The hotel is expected to open as a Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts property.
There is a story that an underground tunnel connects Admiralty Arch to 10 Downing Street. This is where the Prime Minister lives.
Ceremonial Use
Admiralty Arch is very important for special events in London. It is the main entrance from Trafalgar Square to The Mall. The Mall is the road that leads to Buckingham Palace.
Because of this, many important processions pass under the arch. These include:
- Royal weddings
- Funerals
- Coronations (when a new king or queen is crowned)
- Other big public events, like the end of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
The central archway is very special. It is only used by members of the royal family.
The Nose
If you look closely, you might find something unusual on the inside wall of the northernmost arch. There is a small bump that looks like a human nose!
An artist named Rick Buckley placed it there in 1997. He did it as part of a protest. He was speaking out against too much government control, like "Big Brother" watching everyone.
The nose is about seven feet high. This means it's at waist height for someone riding a horse through the arch.
See also
In Spanish: Arco del Almirantazgo para niños
