Plans to turn London's iconic BT Tower into luxury hotel unveiled

The 177-metre BT Tower in Fitzrovia, opened in 1965, has served as a major telecommunications hub for decades and has been largely closed to the public since security restrictions began after a 1971 bombing. MCR plans to submit a full redevelopment application to Camden Council in September. The heritage-sensitive scheme led by Orms Architects includes restoring the tower and providing public access for the first time in nearly half a century. A publicly accessible square beside the hotel reception will include retail and foot outlets and pedestrian walkways that allow visitors to stand at the tower’s base. The restored podium building will contain hotel bedrooms and a rooftop swimming pool, while hotel rooms will be built inside the tower’s shaft, called The Stick. Unsightly additions will be removed to reveal the original 1966 facade, and the observation deck will be restored for 360-degree panoramic views. Historic England has already supported the proposals.

"The heritage sensitive redevelopment, led by Orms Architects, will include a restoration of the tower while granting public access to the site for the first time in nearly half a century, the company said. The designs feature a publicly accessible square beside the hotel's reception along with spaces for retail and foot outlets, plus pedestrian walkways allowing visitors to stand at the tower's base for the first time ever. Above the square, the restored podium building will house hotel bedrooms and a rooftop swimming pool, and hotel rooms will be built inside the tower's shaft itself, known as The Stick."

"Proposals also include scrapping unsightly additions to the structure to reveal the original facade of the podium built in 1966 to restore the building's true character. Formerly the Post Office Tower, the BT Tower has been almost entirely off-limits to the general public for decades. Once home to a rotating restaurant and viewing area, a bombing attack in 1971 led to security restrictions that limited access. From 1981, the building was no longer open for routine public visits."

"Though there are no plans for a new eatery, the developer proposes to restore the observation deck to offer the public spectacular, 360-degree, panoramic views of London that it has been missing for nearly 50 years. The designs, which will preserve the original concrete structure, have already won the support of Historic England. Regional Director, Tom Foxall, who said the organisation was delighted by MCR's thoughtful approach."

"Early designs for the transformation of London's iconic BT Tower into a hotel with a new public square have been revealed. MCR plans to submit a full application to Camden Council in September. Opened in 1965 by then Prime Minister Harold Wilson, the 177-metre (600ft) tower in Fitzrovia served as a major telecommunications hub for decades."

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