Plans for the iconic BT Tower in Central London have been revealed after it was sold for £275 million to one of the world's largest hotel operators. The landmark in Fitzrovia was purchased by MCR Hotels in 2024.
MCR Hotels' Vision for the BT Tower
MCR Hotels, the third-largest hotel owner in the United States, will own the 620-foot tower and its podium, which encompasses a full London city block. The project to transform the tower into a hotel will take several years, but MCR has outlined some initial plans. The company intends to develop the tower into a mixed-use development that celebrates its heritage while retaining Fitzrovia's character.
Initial plans indicate that there will still be public access to the top of the tower and its podium buildings for the first time in half a century. The development will also include a new publicly accessible square, a rooftop swimming pool, and public realm improvements for the surrounding area.
Public Consultation Events
The BT Tower Hotel project team will host public consultation events throughout May at University College London. These events will give the public a chance to see emerging proposals for the site, meet the project team, and share feedback. The consultations will take place on Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM in the Jeremy Bentham Room at UCL. A third consultation event will be held on Saturday, May 16, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The public is also encouraged to view the consultation proposals online and leave feedback.
History of the BT Tower
The BT Tower is a Grade II-listed communications tower sitting atop a podium, located between Cleveland Street, Maple Street, Cleveland Mews, and Howland Street in Fitzrovia, London. The main structure is 581 feet high, with a further section of aerial rigging bringing the total height to 620 feet. Upon completion in 1964, it overtook the Millbank Tower to become the tallest structure in London until 1980, when it was overtaken by the NatWest Tower.
