The UK’s Brighton & Hove Council have granted planning permission for the
Brighton i360 - the structure designed by the award-winning London Eye
architects, husband and wife team David Marks and Julia Barfield.At 183
metres high and with the observation pod rising to 139 metres, the i360
will be Britain’s highest observation tower, taller than the London Eye
(at 135m). It is anticipated that the i360 will cost in the region of
£20 million pounds, funded entirely by private investors. It is expected
to open in summer 2008

Brighton i360 will be located on the seafront on the site of the
Victorian West Pier. Glynn
Jones, chairman of the Brighton West Pier Trust says “After 30 years of
exploring public
funding options, it has not proved possible to rebuild the pier. We
believe that the
Brighton i360 - a ‘vertical pier’ is entirely in the spirit of the
pier’s history and the best
option to replicate the success and the ethos of the original pier.”

Visitors will board a giant fully enclosed ‘pod’ - more than nine times
the size of a London Eye capsule. During their 20 minute ride, the pod
will rise gradually to a height
of 139 metres giving visitors stunning 360 degree panoramic views of up
to 25 miles on
a clear day of Brighton with its Regency squares, Grade II listed
Victorian pier and the
Pavilion, of the South Downs and the South Coast including the Seven
Sisters and
Beachy Head, as far as Eastbourne in the East to Bognor Regis in the
West.

Brighton i360 will be located on the seafront on the site of the
Victorian West Pier. The design will include the restored original
Victorian toll booths and seating, and the creation of a Heritage
Centre.

The Brighton i360 is set to be popular for corporate hospitality and
conferencing customers. During the evening, guests will be able to enjoy
stunning night time views and a glass of champagne in the Sky Bar.

Serena Castiglione, sales manager for Visit Brighton comments “We are
thrilled at the prospect of having this elegant 21st Century tourist
attraction in our city. Britain’s highest observation platform will
become a popular attraction for post conference social activities and
corporate hospitality events. It will improve the competitiveness of
Brighton as a tourist and conferencing destination.”

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