The famous London attraction being turned into a £275million hotel

However, over the years, many of its original telecommunication functions have dwindled, with its aerials removed a decade ago.

Tourists used to be able to visit once a year when it opened to the public and it was also once home to a rotating restaurant, which closed in 1971.

It has now been sold to US-based MCR Hotels in a £275million deal to turn it into a mega hotel.

Brent Mathews, Property Director of the BT Group, said the decisions came because of the company "increasingly delivering content and communication via other means".

He added: "The BT Tower sits at the heart of London and we’ve been immensely proud to be the owners of this important landmark since 1984.

"This deal with MCR will enable BT Tower to take on a new purpose, preserving this iconic building for decades to come.”

Tyler Morse, CEO and owner of MCR Hotels, said: “We are proud to become owners and custodians of the iconic BT Tower.

“We will take our time to carefully develop proposals that respect the London landmark’s rich history and open the building for everyone to enjoy.”

Other projects from MCR Hotels include the TWA Hotel in New York's JFK Airport.

After closing in 2001, it reopened in 2019 with many mid-century, 60s style designs of the "hey-day" of travel, along with a rooftop pool.

Mr Morse added: "We see many parallels between the TWA Hotel and the BT Tower - both are world-renowned, groundbreaking pieces of architecture.