This week, Brighton opened British Airways i360, the world’s first “vertical cable car” — a thin tower with a glass pod that allows 360 degree viewing of the Sussex coastline. The structure stands 163-meters (531-feet) tall and has a diameter of 4.5 meters (12.7 feet), making its way to the Guinness World Records for being the world’s most slender tower – having a slenderness ratio of 1:40.
Notably, it is also the world's tallest moving observation tower.
Although the structure was designed by the renowned London Eye architects, David Marks and Julia Barfield, Brighton’s i360 didn’t get that much positive feedback and received criticism on its aesthetics.
Some residents posted their disgust and rage toward the tower on social media, saying it is ‘ugly’ and an ‘eyesore’ that ‘ruins’ the Brighton seafront view. Others note that the tower has an absurdly long line that one must wait in before they can go up.
I can see the #i360 is really striving for the true airport experience-right down to the delays to your flight!
— Tom Allen (@TomThinksLoudly) August 4, 2016
Still, tourists seem rather excited to venture up the tower in order to get a better view of the surrounding area. If you happen to take a voyage up, be sure to send us your pictures!
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