For those of you who might ignore the Brighton and Sussex coast thread normally but would find this interesting, I have posted an article from the local paper that describes the Marks and Barfield proposal for the seafront.

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=281583&page=5

So this is the big news Marks Barfield were mooting in last weeks Guardian. I was hoping it would be the i360 for London. This is good news though.

i360????

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2006/03/27/i360tower256.jpg

That is what is going up in Brighton.

but isnt this taller than the cliffs? lol

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2006/03/27/i360tower256.jpg

They've used this image for proposals in Manchester AND Cardiff now, look:

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/151/151774_the_high_pod.html

These things seem to be popping up in every city now!

I've really gone off that tower since it was first 'proposed' in Manchester. When its not open, its just going to be a giant pole like the crappy Dublin Spire.

This is great nnews Brighton deserves a new tower.I also like the original tower shame it was demolished.
http://www.merseysideviews.com/Merseysideviews_old/Images/New-Brighton.jpg

Thats New Brighton up near Liverpool. This one will be in Brighton on the south coast.

Sounds like a good idea, just hope it doesn't look too thin, and temporary.

Just seen this on the BBC:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41506000/jpg/_41506996_mast203.jpg

Looks far too thin and bland!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4863706.stm

what an accurate article... no mention of brighton marina. no mention that natwest tower is tower 42 or that there is more than one tower in canary wharf or that the tallest tower there is 235 metres or that 600ft is 182.88m metres, so 183m so that the second tallest buildings are citigroup and hsbc.

I'm sorry, but this thing look awful - i mean if your going to build an observation tower at least build a proper one, not some fairground ride.

I know the Spinnaker Tower was expensive, but at least its a proper tower - I can't even believe they have the cheek to submit the same designs they were mooting for Manchester, and least change it, we don't want all these indentikit things around the UK.

Sorry guys but this project sounded great, its just let down by the gimmiky design.

PLEASE CAN WE HAVE A LONDON FORUM! i have had enough of having all the london threads mixed up with shit threads like this. why does one of the most important world cities not even have its own section? its a disgrace.

I was not aware of the Manchester or Cardiff proposals, it's a shame they can't think of something with a more unique design for Brighton I agree, although I like the idea in principle, it would be a great attraction to bring to the city.

The same design was also proposed for London last spring.

But this is the first place they've proposed it where they've got a site.

Right, I've found more images of this scheme:

http://www.westpier.co.uk/I360/images/image6_bg.jpg

http://www.westpier.co.uk/I360/images/image1_bg.jpg

http://www.westpier.co.uk/I360/images/image3_bg.jpg

http://www.westpier.co.uk/I360/images/image7_bg.jpg

http://www.westpier.co.uk/I360/images/image9_bg.jpg

http://www.westpier.co.uk/I360/images/tower.jpg


The site where this is proposed is right in front of the burnt out shell that was the west pier - the plans for a new pier are going to be revealed very soon and this tower along with the new pier will totally transform the western half of Brighton seafront.

http://www.westpier.co.uk/I360/images/image9_bg.jpg

I'm pretty sure they need some barriers around the base, unless they want squished tourists.

I quite like it to be honest. Just hope they touch up on the colour scheme before it goes ahead.

Its interesting to see that the tower is on the site of the West Pier entrance, in front of Regency Square. Historically the residents of the square hated the West Pier for blocking their sea view, and I understand they were strongly against the proposed retail structure when the pier was proposed to be restored. I wonder how they are reacting to this proposal? The tower is a fun idea, but it may be more successful if located at the end of the Palace Pier.

I agree Black Cat. Having had a closer look at the design, it looks like a giant fairground ride, and has zero architectural merit and just looks like a giant elevator core.

Errr... Nice flagpole

If it was a vertical drop ride I'd approve though :D

Also - Brighton takes a hell of a battering in the winter from storms & this looks a little flimsy- I'm not saying it would be blown over but I would have thought the ride wouldn't be very smooth & would take a lot of yearly maintainence & expense

Would there be enough tourists who would want to go up on this to make it financialy viable anyway, especially in the winter.

same old, same old, shame really...

PLEASE CAN WE HAVE A LONDON FORUM! i have had enough of having all the london threads mixed up with shit threads like this. why does one of the most important world cities not even have its own section? its a disgrace.

Indeed, London is the greatest city in europe. The main section should just be for projects from smaller cities that havent yet reached the booms like London and Manchester. London should have it's own space.

I think it's nice enough. It's slim and tall. It's not hugely inspiring though.

I think Selma Mountford and her cronies at the Regency Society have already got their teeth into this proposal, as they do with most modern projects.