I360
Encyclopedia
The i360 is a planned 183 metres (600 ft) observation tower
to be constructed on the seafront of Brighton
, by the West Pier. Plans were submitted in June 2006 and were approved by Brighton and Hove City Council on 11 October 2006 with construction projected to start in 2007. Following delays of around fifteen months the off-site construction of the sections of the tower began in autumn 2008 in the Netherlands. The Argus
reported in 2009 that architects Marks Barfield remained committed to the i360 and that the project was "still on track".
. Work is due to commenced off site autumn 2008 for the groundbreaking Brighton Eye. To be built at the shore end of the wrecked West Pier, the i360 will have a 183 m (600 ft) high needle tower, with an ascending and descending circular viewing platform with a capacity for 125 people. It will be Britain's highest observation tower with breathtaking views along the coast, across the South Downs and across the Channel. The West Pier Trust have said that construction will include a heritage centre to be built on the seafront close to the site of the West Pier, which was last open for business in 1975.
There is some speculation that the name of the tower will have to be changed, as "Brighton Eye" and "i360" are already in use for other projects. The names "Brighton Tower" or "Euro Tower" are being considered. Taking inspiration from the "British Airways London Eye", it has been suggested that the best (sponsored) name would be "The Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company
Sussex Eye".
Despite recent setbacks, Dr Geoff Lockwood, chairman of the West Pier Trust insists that the project is well underway. The official statement reads: "It’s not like a lot of projects which are falling by the wayside. It definitely will happen.". The first stage of construction work has already got underway in the Netherlands, with steelwork fabrication being manufactured at a factory in Maastricht. A total of 660 tonnes of steel plate is being rolled into a 3.9 metre-wide tube, which will form the basis of the 158 metre-high tower.
It has been confirmed that the tower will have room for 100 guests in its 139 metre-high enclosed pod upon its completion and that the opening is now planned for 2011. It is anticipated that new construction jobs will be generated by the building.
The planning for the tower expired on October 25, 2009 and the project was removed from the homepage of Marks Barfield, with no signs of preparation or construction .
Geoff Lockwood, deputy chairman of the West Pier Trust, said on October 10, 2009: “Planning permission won't expire as next week they're starting to do the piling work." Despite this no signs of construction could be seen. Although construction of the steelwork has been taking place in Maastricht for some time, Brighton will now see the actual commencement of construction work on the tower in the town itself.
in Portsmouth which has seen falling tourist numbers ever since it was first opened in 2005. Many locals do not feel that they will benefit from such an attraction and will have to live with the uninspiring beach and street level view of the tower column. There has been a long campaign to resurrect the West Pier and many feel that the i360 is not a fitting tribute to the loss of one of the UK's two grade 1 listed piers (the other being Clevedon Pier
in Somerset). Residents of the Brighton and Hove area set up a petition on the local council website to help raise awareness of their distaste for the attraction, which ran until June 2010.
Observation tower
An observation tower is a structure used to view events from a long distance and to create a full 360 degree range of vision. They are usually at least tall and made from stone, iron, and wood. Many modern towers are also used as TV towers, restaurants, or churches...
to be constructed on the seafront of Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, by the West Pier. Plans were submitted in June 2006 and were approved by Brighton and Hove City Council on 11 October 2006 with construction projected to start in 2007. Following delays of around fifteen months the off-site construction of the sections of the tower began in autumn 2008 in the Netherlands. The Argus
The Argus (Brighton)
The Argus is a local newspaper based in Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, with editions serving the city of Brighton and Hove and the other parts of both East and West Sussex.-History:...
reported in 2009 that architects Marks Barfield remained committed to the i360 and that the project was "still on track".
Design and construction
The tower was designed by architects Marks Barfield (the husband and wife team David Marks and Julia Barfield), who also designed the London EyeLondon Eye
The London Eye is a tall giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England.It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually...
. Work is due to commenced off site autumn 2008 for the groundbreaking Brighton Eye. To be built at the shore end of the wrecked West Pier, the i360 will have a 183 m (600 ft) high needle tower, with an ascending and descending circular viewing platform with a capacity for 125 people. It will be Britain's highest observation tower with breathtaking views along the coast, across the South Downs and across the Channel. The West Pier Trust have said that construction will include a heritage centre to be built on the seafront close to the site of the West Pier, which was last open for business in 1975.
There is some speculation that the name of the tower will have to be changed, as "Brighton Eye" and "i360" are already in use for other projects. The names "Brighton Tower" or "Euro Tower" are being considered. Taking inspiration from the "British Airways London Eye", it has been suggested that the best (sponsored) name would be "The Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company
Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company
Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company operates almost all bus services in the city of Brighton and Hove in southern England. The company was established in 1884 as Brighton, Hove and Preston United Omnibus Company and has been part of the Go-Ahead Group since 1993.The company currently operates a...
Sussex Eye".
Despite recent setbacks, Dr Geoff Lockwood, chairman of the West Pier Trust insists that the project is well underway. The official statement reads: "It’s not like a lot of projects which are falling by the wayside. It definitely will happen.". The first stage of construction work has already got underway in the Netherlands, with steelwork fabrication being manufactured at a factory in Maastricht. A total of 660 tonnes of steel plate is being rolled into a 3.9 metre-wide tube, which will form the basis of the 158 metre-high tower.
It has been confirmed that the tower will have room for 100 guests in its 139 metre-high enclosed pod upon its completion and that the opening is now planned for 2011. It is anticipated that new construction jobs will be generated by the building.
The planning for the tower expired on October 25, 2009 and the project was removed from the homepage of Marks Barfield, with no signs of preparation or construction .
Geoff Lockwood, deputy chairman of the West Pier Trust, said on October 10, 2009: “Planning permission won't expire as next week they're starting to do the piling work." Despite this no signs of construction could be seen. Although construction of the steelwork has been taking place in Maastricht for some time, Brighton will now see the actual commencement of construction work on the tower in the town itself.
Opposition
Numerous residents from the local area have expressed their concern over the installation of the i360. It is feared that such a "space age" attraction will spoil the traditional seafront atmosphere of Brighton's beach and Georgian promenade. The tower has been likened to the Spinnaker TowerSpinnaker Tower
Spinnaker Tower is a –high landmark tower in Portsmouth, England. It is the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour, which was supported by a National Lottery grant. Its shape was chosen by Portsmouth residents from a selection of concepts...
in Portsmouth which has seen falling tourist numbers ever since it was first opened in 2005. Many locals do not feel that they will benefit from such an attraction and will have to live with the uninspiring beach and street level view of the tower column. There has been a long campaign to resurrect the West Pier and many feel that the i360 is not a fitting tribute to the loss of one of the UK's two grade 1 listed piers (the other being Clevedon Pier
Clevedon Pier
Clevedon Pier is a seaside pier in the town of Clevedon, on the English side of the Severn Estuary. It is situated next to the Royal Pier Hotel....
in Somerset). Residents of the Brighton and Hove area set up a petition on the local council website to help raise awareness of their distaste for the attraction, which ran until June 2010.