Imagine floating in a swimming pool suspended nearly 600 feet above London, with the entire city sprawling beneath you like a glittering map. That vision could become reality as the iconic BT Tower prepares for its most dramatic transformation yet.
This towering landmark, a beloved fixture of the capital's skyline since 1964, was sold to American hotel chain MCR Hotels in 2024. Now, the company is unveiling ambitious plans to turn the Grade II-listed structure into a luxury hotel—complete with a pool at an eye-watering height of 580 feet.
For nearly half a century, the tower’s 34th floor has been sealed off from the public. That floor once hosted a revolving restaurant and observation deck that drew crowds from around the world. But a devastating bomb blast in 1971 changed everything.
The explosion tore through one of the viewing galleries, damaging buildings and cars up to 400 yards away. The attack was never officially claimed, though both the anarchist Angry Brigade and someone claiming to be from the IRA’s Kilburn battalion took responsibility. The restaurant and deck never reopened.
Now, MCR Hotels wants to throw those doors wide open again. The plans include not only a sky-high pool but also shops, restaurants, a new public square, and walking routes through the site. For the first time in decades, ordinary people might once again gaze down at London from the tower’s heights.
The main structure rises 581 feet, with aerial rigging pushing the total to 620 feet. When it was completed in 1964, it was the tallest building in London—until the NatWest Tower claimed that title in 1980. But the BT Tower never lost its place in the city’s heart.
BT Group agreed to sell the tower for £275 million, admitting they no longer needed a structure that had once bristled with microwave aerials. Those aerials were removed over a decade ago, and the building became more of a nostalgic icon than a functional hub.
Now, MCR Hotels promises to preserve the tower’s rich heritage while breathing new life into it. Public consultation events will be held throughout May at University College London, giving the community a chance to see the proposals up close.
The project team states plainly: MCR intends to bring one of Britain's most iconic buildings into public use through a hotel-led, mixed-use development. It’s a plan that celebrates the tower’s history, complements Fitzrovia’s character—and dares to put a swimming pool in the clouds.
