Built as a coastal defense in Britain's Thames Estuary, the Red Sands Sea Forts could become a luxury hotel and spa if an ambitious plan gets the go-ahead.
Red Sands Sea Forts —
Built as a coastal defense in Britain's Thames Estuary, the Red Sands Sea Forts could become a luxury hotel and spa if an ambitious plan gets the go-ahead.
Courtesy David Cooper
Architects have drawn up plans for a 44-room hotel that will see the former gun towers equipped with sundecks and terraces, a museum, a helipad and a landing jetty for a hovercraft.
Luxury hotel —
Architects have drawn up plans for a 44-room hotel that will see the former gun towers equipped with sundecks and terraces, a museum, a helipad and a landing jetty for a hovercraft.
Courtesy Aros Architects
The forts were built off the coast of southeastern England during World War II. Their mission was to try to shoot down enemy planes and rockets heading for London. They were dubbed Maunsell Forts for their designer, Guy Maunsell.
Maunsell forts —
The forts were built off the coast of southeastern England during World War II. Their mission was to try to shoot down enemy planes and rockets heading for London. They were dubbed Maunsell Forts for their designer, Guy Maunsell.
Courtesy David Cooper
After the war they were used to host pirate radio stations transmitting pop tunes deemed unsuitable by the BBC, which had a monopoly on broadcasting in the UK at the time.
Pirate radio —
After the war they were used to host pirate radio stations transmitting pop tunes deemed unsuitable by the BBC, which had a monopoly on broadcasting in the UK at the time.
Courtesy David Cooper
The two-story structures -- each designed to house 165-265 men on grueling four-week tours of duty -- were topped with 94mm heavy anti-aircraft guns and 40mm Bofors light anti-aircraft guns.
Tour of duty —
The two-story structures -- each designed to house 165-265 men on grueling four-week tours of duty -- were topped with 94mm heavy anti-aircraft guns and 40mm Bofors light anti-aircraft guns.
Courtesy David Cooper
The 760-ton towers were originally built on land and then towed out to sea on barges where they were sunk on concrete bases in the shallow waters of the Thames Estuary.
Built on land —
The 760-ton towers were originally built on land and then towed out to sea on barges where they were sunk on concrete bases in the shallow waters of the Thames Estuary.
Courtesy David Cooper
The forts were decommissioned by the UK's Ministry of Defence in 1956 and currently have no owners. They're now looked after by a charity which hopes to see them reused.
Out of use. —
The forts were decommissioned by the UK's Ministry of Defence in 1956 and currently have no owners. They're now looked after by a charity which hopes to see them reused.
Courtesy David Cooper
Business consultant David Marriot Cooper says turning the forts into a luxury hotel is a "brilliant idea." He adds: "It is a very magical experience out there."
'Magical experience' —
Business consultant David Marriot Cooper says turning the forts into a luxury hotel is a "brilliant idea." He adds: "It is a very magical experience out there."
Courtesy David Cooper
In the architect's proposal, the individual forts will be connected by a "rubber ring" central hub that will house a hotel foyer, restaurant, banqueting space and spa.
'Rubber ring' —
In the architect's proposal, the individual forts will be connected by a "rubber ring" central hub that will house a hotel foyer, restaurant, banqueting space and spa.
Courtesy Aros Architects
A helipad will allow arrivals by air. The plan is to link the forts to three coastal ports by hovercraft.
Air and sea connections —
A helipad will allow arrivals by air. The plan is to link the forts to three coastal ports by hovercraft.
Courtesy Aros Architects
It's estimated that at least £40 million ($61 million) would be needed to get the wartime forts into serviceable condition.
Hefty price tag —
It's estimated that at least £40 million ($61 million) would be needed to get the wartime forts into serviceable condition.
Courtesy David Cooper
The plans to convert the towers must win approval from the Crown Estates -- which manages all land under the control of the British sovereign, including the sea bed.
'Royal approval' —
The plans to convert the towers must win approval from the Crown Estates -- which manages all land under the control of the British sovereign, including the sea bed.
Courtesy David Cooper