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When the BT Tower first opened as a communications centre in 1964, we doubt anyone ever envisioned that one day, decades in the future, people would be swimming on top of it. But under newly revealed plans, that could really be the case.
We’ve known for a while now that London’s legendary BT Tower will be transforming into a luxury hotel. It was bought by American hotel chain MCR Hotels in 2024, which brought on the expertise of all-star architect Thomas Heatherwick (the guy behind Coal Drops Yard and the Google offices) to help turn its vision for the landmark into reality. Heatherwick has since stepped back from the project and now Shoreditch-based architecture firm Orms (the people behind Outernet) is in charge of the hotel’s design.
Since Orms came on board, we’ve been waiting with hot anticipation for its ideas to be unveiled. Now, we need wait no longer. MCR and Orms have revealed their plans to create a new publicly accessible square around the site and to install a swimming pool on its rooftop. The proposals would make the top of the tower and its podium buildings accessible to the public for the first time in nearly 50 years.
On the consultation website, the company says: ‘MCR intends to bring one of Britain's most iconic buildings into public use through a hotel‑led, mixed‑use development that celebrates the BT Tower's rich heritage, complements Fitzrovia's historic character, and delivers meaningful placemaking and employment opportunities for the local community.’
Before those plans are confirmed, MCR wants the public’s opinions. There will be public exhibitions of the plans on the evenings of May 11 and 12 and at lunchtime on May 16 in UCL’s Jeremy Bentham Room, with forms for sharing your feedback.
In the meantime: Discover all of London’s best places for a swim here.
Plus: This is officially the best beach near London for summer 2026.
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