BT Tower, a prominent feature of London’s skyline since 1964, will soon undergo a transformation into a hotel. The communications tower, standing at 620 ft in London’s Fitzrovia neighborhood, has been sold by its owner BT Group to a hotel operator for 275 million pounds ($347.1 million).
Rich History and Cultural Significance
Inaugurated in 1965 by then U.K. Prime Minister Harold Wilson, the BT Tower held the title as the tallest structure in the British capital until 1980 when it was surpassed by the NatWest Tower. The tower’s iconic presence has been immortalized in various novels, TV shows, and movies, solidifying its status as a cultural touchstone for London’s post-World War II development.
Transformation into an Iconic Hotel
While initially serving as a hub for the country’s communication networks, the BT Tower was open to the public until 1971, featuring a popular revolving restaurant on the top floor. Now, with many network operations being transferred to BT Group’s fixed and mobile networks, the tower is ready to embrace a new chapter as a luxury hotel.
MCR Hotels, renowned for owning the Eero Saarinen-designed TWA Hotel in New York City and operating 150 hotels worldwide, has acquired the BT Tower. The company plans to meticulously transition the tower into a unique and iconic hotel experience. As equipment belonging to BT Group is gradually removed from the tower, MCR Hotels will fund the acquisition over several years.
Reinventing BT Tower for Future Generations
Chief Executive of MCR Hotels, Tyler Morse, expressed excitement about preserving and repurposing the beloved BT Tower. “We are proud to preserve this beloved building and will work to develop proposals to tell its story as an iconic hotel, opening its doors for generations to enjoy.”
As BT Group continues to streamline its operations and reduce costs, the sale of BT Tower represents a strategic decision to ensure the preservation of this historic landmark. Property director at BT Group, Brent Mathews, commented, “This deal with MCR will enable BT Tower to take on a new purpose, preserving this iconic building for decades to come.”
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