The Brighton rock

Professor Fred Gray has described the i360 design as "very Brighton", and "like a stick of rock".

The Argus Monday, 16 October, 2006

Following Wednesday's decision by Brighton and Hove City Council's planning committee to approve the application by London Eye architects Marks Barfield, Prof Gray said: "I am not surprised. It is very good. For anyone who loves the West Pier, it is going to be a really great and spectacular use of a part of the West Pier site.

"Just as the West Pier was a place of outstanding 19th Century architecture, the West Pier i360 will be. It provides a real centrepiece for the seafront.

"People will be pretty gob-smacked when they walk down and see it there. I imagine you will be walking down some street in North Laine or wherever and you will see this object looming. For Brighton and for people who like the West Pier it is good news.

"There will be economic benefits.

"It will be one of the first really good 21st Century seaside buildings in Brighton. It might be one of the first in Britain."