Brighton's i360 tower is on track for Olympics opening (From The Argus)

Brighton's i360 tower is on track for Olympics opening

2:00pm Saturday 6th June 2009 in Search By Richard Gurner

The firm of architects behind the Brighton i360 observation tower have admitted another £20 million is needed to finish the project but say it will be completed.

David Marks, whose firm Marks Barfield is behind the design and financing of the ambitious West Pier development, has said the aim is to open the attraction before the 2012 London Olympics.

Speaking to The Argus he said: “We are not in a position to announce a start date or a completion date.

“Our position is we hope to open the attraction in 2011 so that we are well in time for the Olympics, which for us is a milestone date.

“It's very much a live project. Because of the difficulties in the credit market, we have been unable to complete our funding so the project has been slowed down as a result.

“It hasn't stopped but it's on a slowdown.”

Funding problems have beset the £40 million iconic tower, which when completed will be 150 metres tall, soon after its construction was first announced in 2006.

Building was due to start in July 2007 but the global collapse in available credit has seen its construction pushed back and back.

In October last year The Argus reported that work had started on manufacturing the steelwork for the tower in Holland.

Since then some work has taken place at its site at the coast end of the West Pier but the steel remains on the continent.

Mr Marks said it will stay there until the company decides to “proceed on to the next stage”.

He said: “We remain committed to it as we have always been. We are about 50% there with the funding with £20 million to find.

“From everyone's point of view it's extremely exciting. This project is going to bring the benefits of regeneration and bring visitors to Brighton.

“It's going to create jobs and regenerate this part of the seafront.

“This is an ideal project and it's an ideal time to build it. It would send a positive message to the market to build as something as positive as the i360 in Brighton today.

“The city needs to deliver positive messages at this time.”