Member Article

Sussex Property Alliance outline plans for Brighton West Pier development

At a an meeting of the Sussex Property Alliance, hosted by West Sussex and Gatwick-based chartered accountants and chartered tax advisers, Carpenter Box, Eleanor Harris, CEO of the Brighton i360, outlined plans for a ‘spectacular’ tourist attraction at the city’s West Pier.

In a recent meeting held at the Amex, she explained how, like a phoenix from the ashes of Brighton’s West Pier, the i360 is set to thrust like a shiny needle 162 metres (450 feet) into the air to create an observation tower and tourist attraction with the aim of attracting a tranche of visitors to the iconic seaside town.

Gliding up and down the needle will be a pod that holds up to 200 people, whilst below will sit a multi-use building with wonderful seafront views towards the gently rusting bones of the 1866 West Pier sadly destroyed by fire in 2003.

Alliance members were told that the i360 beach-side venue underneath the tower will house retail and restaurant facilities for 400+ and will have space for corporate use to boot.

The construction and design of the structure was also revealed in some detail. The idea from the project came from husband and wife team, David Marks and Julia Barfield of Marks Barfield Architects. They also designed the London Eye where Eleanor spent some years helping to turn it into one of the UK’s most popular paid attractions.

Following a major project to divert electricity cables which served a good proportion of the city, as well as moving a large mains sewer, piling extending down up to 20 metres for the foundation of the structure has now been put in place.

Further ‘secant’ piling will be installed to keep out the shingle from the basement before beams and floors are cast. Erection of the tower itself will commence in June 2015 with components arriving from specialist manufacturers from all over the world.

Chris Coopey, Partner at Carpenter Box, said: “In time the i360 will provide a boost to the local economy and should generate more than 400 permanent jobs. Tourism is a major employer in the area and the i360 is expected to attract over 700,000 visitors a year.

“The project is set for completion next year when there will be a Grand Opening and the Sussex Property Alliance looks forward to holding an event at the tower itself.”

The Sussex Property Alliance provides a forum where property professionals can get together, exchange ideas, and build relationships along the supply chain. In addition to Carpenter Box, it is sponsored by Michael Jones Estate Agents, Jelf Insurance Brokers and Bennett Griffin Solicitors and Notaries.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .