London's iconic BT Tower is set to undergo a major transformation into a luxury hotel after being sold to US hotel operator MCR for £275 million. The 620ft landmark near Tottenham Court Road will be stripped out and revamped, reopening to the public for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Why the BT Tower Is Becoming a Hotel
The tower's Top of the Tower restaurant closed in the 1980s after 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 before closing again. Last year, MCR—the third-largest hotel operator in the US—purchased the tower with plans to restore public access.
Planned Changes and Features
MCR's proposals, released earlier this year during a public consultation in May, include hotel rooms in 'the Stick' (levels seven to 23), an area previously off-limits. The top of the tower will feature an observation deck with 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 include hotel rooms, amenity space, 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 public swimming pool will be built on the roof of the Podium building.
Preserving Heritage and Boosting the Local Economy
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 and full-time jobs for the local community, delivering a significant economic boost. MCR states that 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 the upgrade will be completed in 2033, with the hotel opening shortly after.
Final Look Inside the BT Tower
Metro was granted a final look inside the tower in May, revealing a time capsule of 1960s and 1970s technology covered in dust. Work had already begun to remove ageing wires, telephones, and switchboards made redundant by technological advancement. 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.'
