Rafael Serrano

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Rafael Serrano Quevedo
Rafael Serrano Quevedo.jpg
Born
Rafael Serrano Quevedo
Nationality Spanish
OccupationChief executive officer Prime Investors Capital

Rafael Serrano Quevedo is a Spanish businessman and investor.

Contents

As the Chief Executive officer of Prime Investors Capital (PIC), [1] [2] Serrano purchased the lease to Admiralty Arch, [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] a building in London, and led the funding and development of the Bulgari Hotel and Residences in Knightsbridge.[ citation needed ]

In August 2013, PIC was granted full planning permission by Westminster City Council to restore and convert Admiralty Arch into a 100-room luxury hotel, private residences and private members' club. [8] The restoration of Admiralty Arch remain fully ongoing. Prime Investors Capital and Rafael Serrano won the bid and led the transformation and restoration of the iconic British landmark into the new and only Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residences. Thanks to Serrano's strategic vision and execution this quickly became one of the most successful privatised real estate transactions in the United Kingdom.

Career

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Rafael Serrano, in the presence of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Upload for RS wikipedia page.jpg
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Rafael Serrano, in the presence of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh


Rafael Serrano started his career in 1991 as an investment banker at JP Morgan, first in the City and then in Wall Street, New York.

In 2009, Serrano became the Founder and CEO of Prime Investors Capital (PIC) Limited, an investment management company focusing on Finance, Private Equity and Property. Prime Investors Capital was responsible for the origination, funding and development of the BVLGARI Hotel and Residences in Knightsbridge, which at the time of its opening in 2012 was the most expensive hotel in London. [9] [10] [11]

The Right Honourable David Cameron MP and Rafael Serrano, London February 2014 The Right Honourable David Cameron MP and Rafael Serrano, London February 2014.jpg
The Right Honourable David Cameron MP and Rafael Serrano, London February 2014

In October 2012, Prime Investors Capital led a UK-based team of 20 British companies to secure a bid to purchase a 250-year lease of Admiralty Arch from the UK Government, with plans to restore the Grade I listed building and create a hotel that preserves its historic design. [12] [13] [14] [15] Serrano purchased the 250-year lease of Admiralty Arch from the UK Government in October 2012.[ citation needed ]

Rafael Serrano interviewed on the roof of Admiralty Arch Admiralty Arch Project.jpg
Rafael Serrano interviewed on the roof of Admiralty Arch
Admiralty Arch Taxi at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, May 2020 Admiralty Arch Taxi at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.jpg
Admiralty Arch Taxi at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, May 2020

Admiralty Arch is the first major building to be sold by the Government, as part of austerity measures to rationalise their property portfolio and raise funds for the Exchequer. [16] [17] Originally designed by Sir Aston Webb and built by John Mowlen & Co in 1912 in memory of Queen Victoria, the building has been the recent home of the Cabinet Office. It was previously the address of the First Sea Lord and high-ranking naval officers. [18]

In November 2012, Serrano was named in the top 1000 most influential Londoners by the Evening Standard newspaper. [19]

In May 2020, Serrano supported the London Taxi Drivers Association's efforts offering taxi services to local health centres and key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. [20]

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References

  1. ↑ "Admiralty Arch owner on hunt for assetsl". FT.com. 2013-03-29.
  2. ↑ "Serrano on the hunt for £500m of trophy buildings". primeresi.com. 2013-04-02.
  3. ↑ "Admiralty Arch to become luxury hotel in £60 million deal". London: telegraph.co.uk. 2012-10-26. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Admiralty Arch sold to Spanish investor". ft.com. 2012-10-24.
  5. ↑ "Rooms with a view of capital grandeur as Admiralty Arch falls to the Spanish". thetimes.co.uk. 2012-10-26.
  6. ↑ "Admiralty Arch sold for 60 million pounds". reuters.com. 2012-10-25.
  7. ↑ "Admiralty Arch Hotel to become exclusive hotel". standard.co.uk. 2012-10-26.
  8. ↑ Admiralty Arch proposal gets go ahead, gov.uk, 20 August 2013
  9. ↑ Callanan, Neil (2011-12-16). "Buyers Prize Glitziest London Hotels as $25 Cocktails Flow". bloomberg.com.
  10. ↑ "Bulgari to adorn hotel.(UK)". business.highbeam.com. 2011-02-04. Archived from the original on 2014-04-13.
  11. ↑ "Bulgari Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement for the new Bulgari Hotel in London". tourismandaviation.com. 2011-02-14.
  12. ↑ "Admiralty Arch welcomes Waldorf Astoria". Sleeper. 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  13. ↑ "Admiralty Arch to be made into a luxury hotel". bbc.co.uk. 2012-10-26.
  14. ↑ "Admiralty Arch To Become Luxury Hotel". news.sky.com. 2012-10-26.
  15. ↑ "Admiralty Arch deal completes". propertyweek.com. 2012-10-25.
  16. ↑ Peck, Tom (2012-10-26). "Admiralty Arch to become London's next landmark hotel after sale to Spanish investor". independent.co.uk.
  17. ↑ Bloomfield, Ruth (2013-11-14). "London's Pricey Real-Estate". Wsj.com.
  18. ↑ "The man who bought the arch". B Beyond Magazine. BBeyond Media. 1 Oct 2014.
  19. ↑ "London's 1000 most influential people 2012: Deal brokers, Property". www.standard.co.uk. 2013-02-28. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  20. ↑ "Arch Waldorf Astoria London Launches Free Rides for Healthcare". www.travelmarketreport.com. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
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