Dramatic plans to build four futuristic towers on a prime seafront site have been branded both monstrous and outstanding.

Scores of people visited a weekend exhibition to see the plans for themselves after seeing the designs in The Argus.

Three options have been put forward to transform the ageing King Alfred leisure centre site in Hove.

Of those, it was the eye-catching work of world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, who was commissioned by developers Karis Developments/ING, which attracted the most comment.

Mr Gehry, who built the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, plans four skyscrapers, the highest of which would stand at 38 storeys, making it the tallest in Sussex. The others would be 17, 22 and 30 storeys high. There would be a total of 438 flats as well as shops and a sports centre.

Patricia Davis, 40, of Hammy Close, Shoreham, could not make up her mind about Mr Gehry's ideas.

She said: "At first I was not enamoured with the Karis design but Brighton needs this kind of building because it is innovative and exciting, although I don't quite think the people of the city are ready for it yet."

But Chris Brand, 55, who lives opposite the current site on Vallance Gardens, Hove, was unhappy with all three.

He said: "All the schemes are potentially disastrous. They are out of scale with the other buildings in the area."

An elderly couple, who did not wish to be named, were also unimpressed. The man said: "The Karis one is a monstrosity. We have a marvellous seafront here and it would be ruined by this awful design."

But his partner added: "I would be willing to hear from the architects to find out more about why they have designed it like that because at the moment I don't like it."

One of the most enthusiastic responses to the Karis design came from someone who does not live nearby.

Kay Day, 64, who was visiting Hove from her home in Brentwood, Essex, said: "I really liked the look of the Karis design but I'm not sure if the people of Hove will share my views. I think it could be something outstanding, like the Sydney Opera House. The city should take that chance."

Others inspecting the design were pleased with all three and could not pick a favourite.

John Small, 69, of Furze Croft, Hove, said: "I like them all and it will be very interesting to see which one will be successful."

Richard Austin, 56, of St Nicholas Road, Brighton, was just pleased that the world's top architects wanted to build in Brighton and Hove.

He said: "It is very easy to make a snap decision but I think it has been fantastic that we have got three highly regarded architects who have some up with very different but very striking proposals for the site.

"Personally, I want to find out more about them before I can say which one I prefer."

Barratt-Brunswick's designers have proposed a folding ribbon-style development which would house 404 flats while Countryside Properties has designed tower blocks to contain 487 flats.

The exhibition will run until Wednesday. It will then move to Hove Town Hall from Thursday to Monday.

Representatives of all three design teams will be available to answer questions on Friday, between 2pm and 7pm and Saturday, between 10am and 2pm.

Monday March 10 2003