The British Airways i360 observation pod has reached its maximum height of 138 meters yesterday for the first time. With an overall height of 162 meters, and an observation pod that rises from ground level to 138 meters above Brighton beach, British Airways i360 will be the world’s tallest moving observation tower when it opens this summer. Each ‘flight’ will carry up to 200 visitors at a time to enjoy unprecedented views of the city of Brighton and the landscape of the South Downs National Park. The attraction’s visitor centre will incorporate a 400-seat restaurant ‘The Belle Vue Brighton’, a gift shop, a children’s play zone, an exhibition space, and conference and event facilities.
The British Airways i360 holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s most slender tower, with a diameter of just 3.9 meters at its widest point.
“Today the team reached a major milestone with the pod reaching its maximum height for the first time. Testing and commissioning will continue for a few more weeks” said David Marks of Marks Barfield Architects, which conceived and designed the British Airways i360 and the London Eye.
Over the next few weeks, technicians will carry out checks of the cladding, the electrical systems and the counterweight, with tests taking place inside the tower, in the control room and in the machine room.
all images by Kevin Meredith courtesy of British Airways i360