The plan is to convert the London BT Tower into a hotel

The renowned BT Tower in London, a prominent fixture of the city’s skyline and once the tallest edifice in the UK, is set to undergo a transformation into a hotel. BT Group, the tower’s owner, has finalized a GBP275 million agreement to sell the property to MCR Hotels, paving the way for the conversion project.

Constructed in 1964, the BT Tower stood proudly at 189 meters tall, serving as a crucial component of telecommunications infrastructure for many years. However, advancements in technology have rendered much of its original purpose obsolete. Notably, the tower boasted a rotating restaurant open to the public in its early years, a feature that ceased operation in 1971.

MCR Hotels, a US-based hospitality company with a portfolio of approximately 150 properties, including the conversion of New York’s TWA terminal into a hotel, will spearhead the preservation and repurposing of the iconic structure. Tyler Morse, CEO of MCR Hotels, expressed pride in the opportunity to safeguard this beloved building, emphasizing the intention to develop plans that honor its legacy as an iconic hotel destination for generations to come.

The acquisition encompasses both the tower and the adjacent podium block, with MCR collaborating with acclaimed London designer Thomas Heatherwick to craft conversion proposals. Given the tower’s listed status, any alterations to its physical structure will be subject to strict regulations. As part of the agreement, BT will have a grace period to decommission existing equipment within the tower, allowing ample time for consultation on the conversion plans as they take shape.

The conversion of the BT Tower follows a trend seen globally, where historic landmarks are repurposed into hotels. London itself boasts several such examples, including the transformation of the former Midland Bank headquarters, now the Ned Hotel, complete with its original basement vaults. Additionally, Accor recently unveiled Raffles London, situated within the UK government’s historic former War Office building, showcasing the ongoing appeal of landmark conversions in the hospitality industry.