The iconic BT Tower in London is set to undergo a major transformation into a luxury hotel after being purchased for £275 million by MCR, the third-largest hotel operator in the United States. The 620-foot landmark, located near Tottenham Court Road in Fitzrovia, has been largely closed to the public for nearly 50 years.
Why the BT Tower is Becoming a Hotel
The tower's rotating restaurant, Top of the Tower, closed in the 1980s following a bomb explosion in the men's toilets, leading to the entire tower being shut to the public. It remained derelict for years, briefly reopening in 2015 for two weeks to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Last year, MCR acquired the tower with plans to reopen it to the public for the first time in almost five decades.
Planned Changes and Features
MCR's proposals, released earlier this year as part of a public consultation in May, include hotel rooms in 'the Stick' (levels 7 to 23), which has never been accessible to the public. The top of the tower will feature an observation deck offering 360-degree panoramic views of London, telling the story of the BT Tower and telecommunications. The restored Podium and Howland buildings at the base will house additional hotel rooms, amenity spaces, a publicly accessible square, and new retail, food, and beverage outlets. New pedestrian walkways will allow the public to view the tower from below for the first time. A swimming pool, open to the public, will be built on the roof of the Podium building.
According to the BT Tower consultation website, the revamp will provide public access to the top of the tower and podium buildings for the first time in nearly half a century. It will also create new construction jobs and full-time positions for the local community, along with a significant economic boost for the neighborhood. MCR stated that the changes will complement Fitzrovia's historic character and celebrate the tower's heritage.
Anne Archer, an archivist at the tower, told Metro: 'Because of its function, the building had to be erected at a considerable height and have nothing obstructing it so as not to interrupt communication waves. So it offers this stunning panoramic view. No matter what, the history of this building will always be preserved – there is no other building like this.' She added: 'But the new owners may be able to make the most of it more now. If a restaurant opens up inside the new hotel, more people will be able to come again.'
Timeline for the Hotel Opening
BT is still moving out of the building and will hand over the site to MCR in 2029, when construction is expected to begin. MCR will apply for planning permission in September and anticipates completion in 2033, with the hotel opening shortly after.
Brent Mathews, Property Director at BT Group, said: 'The BT Tower sits at the heart of London and we’ve been immensely proud to be the owners of this important landmark since 1984. It’s played a vital role in carrying the nation’s calls, messages and TV signals, but increasingly we’re delivering content and communication via other means.'
