If you're of a certain vintage you may have had the great pleasure of dining at the top of the BT tower back when it used to be a revolving restaurant in the 1970s. Now it seems that a whole new generation of Londoners will get the chance to enjoy those same views with the news that the tower is being turned into a hotel.
The folks who've just spent £275m buying one of London's most iconic buildings are American-based MCR Hotels and the good news is they have form in looking after such architectural gems. In America they're responsible for having turned the fabulous TWA terminal at JFK into a world-renowned hotel. “We are proud to preserve this beloved building," the group's CEO Tyler Morse said of their London purchase, "and will work to develop proposals to tell its story as an iconic hotel, opening its doors for generations to enjoy."
Formerly known as the Post Office Tower before its sale to BT in 1984, the building hasn't been open to the public for years. The new owners have employed the services of Thomas Heatherwick, whose studio was responsible for Coal Drops Yard, to transform it into a hotel. "This is an extraordinary building and an amazing opportunity to bring it back to life," he said.
Right now there's no word yet on whether that revolving restaurant will return. But we really hope it does. One thing's for sure it's going to take a while before any real work starts with BT expecting to take years just to vacate the tower. While you wait, why not check out this marvellous old movie showing just what it was like to dine there back in the day.
More about the BT Tower
Where is it? 60 Cleveland St, London W1T 4JZ
Find out more: Visit the MCR hotels website.
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