The world’s tallest moving observation tower situated in Brighton, opens to the world today, August 4. Completed 10 years after its conception by husband and wife team David Marks and Julia Barfield, the tower is designed by the same geniuses that created the iconic London eye. Named British Airways i360, the tower is shaped like a futuristic glass viewing pod and slowly glides visitors up 450 feet in the air on a vertical cable car. At the top it stops, enabling you to take in 360-degree views across Brighton, the South Downs and the Sussex coastline, for a duration of about 20 minutes in the day and 30 minutes after 6 pm, because then the pod transforms into the Sky Bar, serving locally produced sparkling wine. The tower itself is powered entirely on green and renewable energy, and the pod’s descent generates half of the energy required to power its ascent. At the base of the tower, the beach building is set to house a trio of different dining options that will include a formal dining area, a tea room and casual café with terrace that overlooks the pier. Other features include a children’s play area and retail spaces.
