We present infrared (AAT, UKIRT) and radio (VLA, SEST) observations of the Eye of the Tornado, a compact source apparently near the head of the Tornado Nebula. The near-infrared \brg and \hei lines are broad (FWHM 40 and 30 km/sec , respectively) and have a line centre at V_LSR -205 km/sec . This corresponds to a feature at the same velocity in the 12CO J=1-0 line profile. The kinematic velocity derived from Galactic rotation places the Eye at the distance of the Galactic Centre (i.e. 8.5 kpc) and separated (probably foreground) from the Tornado Nebula. Four knots of emission are seen in the \brg line and at 6 and 20 cm. Together with the flat radio spectral index, we confirm that the Eye contains ionized gas, but that this is embedded within a dense molecular core. The spectral energy distribution can be modelled as a two-component blackbody + greybody, peaking at far-IR wavelengths. The knots are UC \hr regions, and the core contains a luminous ( 2 * 104 \lsol), embedded, massive young stellar source. We also propose a geometrical model for the Eye to account for both its spectral energy distribution and its morphology.