Before the skyline alters with the erection of the King Alfred towers, I had an opportunity to stare across the city from an east Brighton high-rise, west-facing apartment.
The panoramic view encompasses the city, Channel, Worthing coastline and diminishing Sussex Downs to the north of Gatwick.
Below, in the foreground, is a colourful maze of streets and town houses spanning two centuries. Along the seashore, there's the razzle-dazzle of the Palace Pier and skeleton of the once elegant West Pier.
The view of west Brighton and Hove are blocked by a sprinkle of monolithic high-rises in central Brighton.
As with architect Wren's churches in London, high-rise buildings destroy traditional skylines forever. The top of Frank Gehry's Edwardian Dame skyscrapers will be visible from London and France.
Is that progress?
-John Stanaway, Hove
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