A first look at Brighton's new i360 observation tower

The 162m tower will open to the public by summer 2016

The controversial tower taking shape on the seafront in Brighton has a new identity: the British Airways i360.

The 162m tower is rapidly taking shape on the promenade, with the sad skeleton of the ruined West Pier just offshore. The new visitor attraction was conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects that created the London Eye - which itself was initially sponsored by BA. It is due to open in the summer of 2016, and will cost £15 for adults (with a 10 per cent discount for online booking, and half-price for Brighton residents).

The tower has not proved universally popular with local people. Mike Beaton wrote to the Argus, saying: "It is strikingly out of character with the city. Many similar observation towers have been built in Britain and they have failed to achieve the expected visitor numbers.”

At ground level, the complex will include a restaurant, a children’s play area and other facilities.

Eleanor Harris, chief executive of the project, and Lynne Embleton, British Airways’ director of strategy and managing director for Gatwick, have been speaking exclusively to The Independent.