One of London’s most famous landmarks set to become a hotel
WHEN you look at the London skyline, you probably think of the London Eye, Big Ben, the Shard and the Gherkin – but for decades another iconic landmark as been part of that set.
While the BT Tower has been closed to the public for decades it could be turned into a hotel by as soon as 2030.
The Grade-II listed building opened in 1965, measuring 177metres tall and was originally known as the Post Office Tower.
Inside, the building was used to carry phone and TV signals, but also had a revolving restaurant – Top of the Tower – and viewing platforms.
The viewing platform closed to the public in 1971 after a bomb exploded but the restaurant remained open until the end of its lease in 1980.
To date, American hotel chain MCR – who bought the concrete structure clad in glass from BT for £275million – has revealed little plans about what the hotel will look like.
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However, recent reports have revealed that a Shoreditch-based architecture firm and the same team behind the immersive attraction Outernet on Tottenham Court Road, Orms, have been appointed to transform the landmark into a boutique hotel.
The initial ideas and plans for the needle-like building are expected to be revealed at the first public consultation, which is due to be held in May.
But to get a taste of Orms’ style, other projects the firm has worked on include the transformation of Camden Council’s brutalist headquarters into the famous Standard hotel back in 2019.
They are also the firm behind The Ribbon, which is a new nine-storey venue on Oxford Street, recently announced as the location of London’s flagship Harry Potter store – which will be one of five across the planet.
Previous reports also suggest that the rotating restaurant will reopen for the first time since 1980.
The restaurant, that was run by Butlin’s with Sir Billy Butlin himself opening the site, used to seat about 120 diners on an three metre-wide track, with the restaurant rotating a full 360 degrees once every 22 minutes.
Famous diners included The Beatles and Muhammed Ali.
Thanks to the building’s height and nothing in the surrounding area obstructing it (this was to not interrupt communication signals from the tower) it has amazing panoramic views of London.
It is hoped when MCR reopen the building, the viewing platforms will feature as a major part of the hotel, with potentially the best views of the city.
In 2024, tycoon Tyler Morse – the man behind the purchase of the landmark – spoke to The Times about what the hotel will be like and said: “It’s about telephony. It’s about the telegraph era. But with all the modern amenities.”
He added that the “billions of miles of telephone wire” would be woven into the hotel wallpaper and an infinity pool would be built to look over the city.
Originally, when MCR bought the tower, Heatherwick Studio in Camden were going to oversee the redevelopment – the same firm behind Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross.
However, this week a spokesperson told Architect’s Journal: “Heatherwick Studio and MCR had been working together on the development of the BT Tower.
“We are no longer involved and wish MCR every success for the future of the project.”
Architect’s Journal added that Historic England are happy with the initial plans for the 177metre-tall building, with Tom Foxall, region director at Historic England commenting: “The emerging scheme will reinforce the significance of the Grade II-listed tower’s extraordinary architecture, ensuring its iconic presence remains on the London skyline, while also reconfiguring its internal spaces in ways that will bring both public enjoyment and economic growth.”
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