The iconic BT Tower landmark is set to undergo a significant transformation, with plans to turn the 620ft structure into a hotel.
The tower, which has been closed to the public for over half a century, will be stripped out and revamped. It was originally opened in 1965 by then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson and offered panoramic views of the capital from its 34th-floor rotating restaurant.
The tower was the tallest structure in the capital when it was built in 1964, but it was surpassed by the NatWest Tower in 1980.
The site's Top of the Tower restaurant was closed following a bomb explosion in the men's toilets, prompting the closure of the whole tower to the public in the 1980s.
Last year, MCR – the third-largest hotel operator in the United States – bought the tower for £275,000,000 under plans to re-open the landmark to the public for the first time in almost 50 years.
The base of the tower will undergo significant changes as it turns into a hotel, with new shops and a rooftop pool planned.
The proposal includes spending a night in 'the Stick', located on levels seven to 23, a part of the tower that has always been off-limits to the public.
The top of the tower will see the installation of an observation deck offering 360-degree panoramic views of London, while also telling the rich story of the BT Tower and telecommunications.
New pedestrian walkways will also be created to give the public a chance to look up at the tower from below for the first time.
MCR promises that the new retail and food shopfronts will reflect the scale and rhythm of Fitzrovia's historic streets, with outdoor seating and display windows that will bring back life to currently blank facades.
A swimming pool, available to the public, will be built on the roof of the Podium building.
The revamp will provide public access to the Top of the Tower and its podium buildings for the first time in nearly half a century, as well as new construction jobs and full-time jobs for the local community.
The changes will complement Fitzrovia's historic character and celebrate the BT Tower's rich heritage.
BT is still in the process of moving out of the building and will hand over the site to MCR in 2029, when the hotel chain expects to begin construction.
MCR will apply for planning permission in September and believes that the upgrade will be completed in 2033, with the hotel opening some time after.
The hotel will be a significant addition to the London skyline, offering stunning panoramic views and a unique experience for visitors.
