Millbank Tower

Millbank Tower stands beside the River Thames in the City of Westminster, half a mile upstream from the Palace of Westminster. Completed in 1963 for Vickers, it was originally called Vickers House and later became known simply as Millbank Tower. Designed by Ronald Ward and Partners and built by John Mowlem & Co, the 119-metre skyscraper was the tallest building in the United Kingdom until the BT Tower opened the following year. It is now a Grade II listed landmark, recognised in the Pevsner architectural guide for its distinctive presence on the London skyline. The tower has been owned by David and Simon Reuben since 2002 and remains managed by Tishman Speyer Properties. Millbank Tower has long been linked with high-profile political organisations. The Labour Party ran its 1997 general election campaign from two floors rented at the base, while the Conservative Party had its campaign headquarters at 30 Millbank between 2006 and 2014. The United Nations once maintained offices here until 2003, and Reform UK has been headquartered in the tower since early 2025. The building has also housed bodies such as the Office for National Statistics and the Ministry of Justice Records Management Service. In 2010, thousands of student protesters occupied the site during demonstrations against tuition fee increases. Visitors to Millbank Tower find a modern office complex beside the Thames, with views across central London. The tower’s concrete and glass form contrasts with the older architecture nearby, yet it remains a familiar sight from Westminster Bridge. Inside, political history is visible in the organisations that have worked here, from the Labour campaign war room to the studios of RT UK. The surrounding area includes government buildings and green spaces along the river, while the tower itself will soon be transformed into luxury apartments, a hotel and a cultural centre.