Original ATC Tower at Heathrow

The original iconic nine floor red brick air traffic control (ATC) tower at Heathrow Airport was opened in 1955. It was designed by the renowned architect Sir Fredrick Gibberd.

It had a top floor of downward sloping windows for the aerodrome approach and ground controllers, who needed to have a good visual view - weather permitting - of approaching aeroplanes and ground movements of planes and vehicles.

Below this level sat the radar controllers who were responsible for vectoring the aeroplanes onto the instrument landing system (ILS).

At a still lower level sat the radar controllers who dealt with aeroplanes handed over from other controllers and entering or exiting the Heathrow terminal control area.

The level below this contained rest rooms, administration rooms and equipment rooms for the ever increasing electrical and electronic equipment needed to run UK's busiest airport and associated terminal area.

The original control tower was replaced by a new 87 meter tower in 2007 and was eventually demolished.