London’s famous landmark, the BT Tower, has been sold for £275 million and is set to be converted into a hotel.
This 177-meter-high tower was opened by then-Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1965 and was used by television stations to transmit their signals.
It was the tallest building in London for 16 years until the NatWest Tower was built in the City of London.
Tower’s previous owner, BT Group, announced on Wednesday that it had been sold to MCR Hotels.
The announcement was welcomed by the architectural heritage campaign group C20, which wants to see the revolving restaurant reintroduced. BT real estate director Brent Matthews said the tower played a vital role in carrying telephone, news and television signals across the country.”
BT’s property director Brent Mathews said the tower had played a vital role in carrying the nation’s calls, messages and TV signals.
“This deal with MCR will enable BT Tower to take on a new purpose, preserving this iconic building for decades to come,” he said.
Originally called the Post Office Tower, its role in communications diminished due to changes in landline and mobile technology, and microwave antennas were no longer needed to connect London with the rest of the country, so it remained in use for a decade. It was removed earlier.