Top architect Frank Gehry will make a visit to Brighton and Hove this week to explain how he came up with his latest plans for an apartment and leisure centre complex on the seafront.

The internationally-acclaimed designer, who is based in Los Angeles, is due to address city councillors on Friday about his proposal to build a 60m tower and 700 flats on the site of the King Alfred Centre.

Mr Gehry will use the meeting to shore up support for his plans ahead of a key meeting of the policy and resources committee next month, when members will be asked to give the go-ahead to the project as owners of the site.

If they do, developer Karis, which has agreed to shoulder the cost of the leisure centre in exchange for the income from the sale of luxury flats, will submit a detailed planning application in August.

Construction would begin next year and the development would be completed in 2011.

Karis managing director Josh Arghiros said Friday's meeting would be an opportunity for Mr Gehry to answer councillors' questions and discuss the inspiration behind his plans.

The briefing will focus on the scale, size and position of the development. The finer detail of the appearance has still to be finalised.

Mr Gehry sealed his reputation as the most impressive architect for a generation with the Guggenheim building at Bilbao, northern Spain.

His only UK building, the Maggie's Centre for cancer treatment in Dundee, Scotland, won the prestigious Royal Fine Art Commission award. He has promised match that achievement with his King Alfred project.