NEW YORK—MCR agreed to buy the BT Tower—one among London’s tallest buildings—from BT Group. MCR will personal the 620-foot Tower and podium. MCR intends to safe the way forward for the Tower, which was opened in 1965 in Fitzrovia, London, and is listed Grade II significance by England’s Historic Buildings and Monuments Fee, by repurposing it as a lodge and opening it as much as the general public.
MCR will associate with London-based Heatherwick Studio to contemplate the best way to reimagine its use as a lodge.
“We’re proud to grow to be house owners and custodians of the enduring BT Tower,” says Tyler Morse, CEO and proprietor of MCR. “We’ll take our time to rigorously develop proposals that respect the London landmark’s wealthy historical past and open the constructing for everybody to take pleasure in.”
BT Group will take a number of years to vacate the premises, because of the scale and complexity of the work to maneuver technical gear, and there might be time for design growth and engagement with native communities earlier than proposals are revealed.
MCR owns and operates New York lodges, together with The Excessive Line Resort and the TWA Resort at JFK Airport. The corporate additionally owns and is at the moment redeveloping the famed Gramercy Park Resort.
“We see many parallels between the TWA Resort and the BT Tower,” stated Morse. “Each are world-renowned, groundbreaking items of structure. It’s been a privilege to adapt the TWA Flight Heart into new use for future generations, as will probably be the BT Tower.”
Thomas Heatherwick, founder and design director, Heatherwick Studio, stated, “My staff and I are thrilled to associate with MCR to reimagine the BT Tower. That is a rare constructing and an incredible alternative to deliver it again to life. We’re excited on the prospect of working with Fitzrovia’s residents and with many hundreds of Londoners, to repurpose this essential piece of the town’s dwelling heritage.”
