Spinnaker Tower
| Spinnaker Tower | |
|---|---|
The Spinnaker Tower (October 2016)
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| Alternative names | Millennium Tower |
| General information | |
| Type | Observation tower |
| Location |
Gunwharf Quays Portsmouth, England, UK |
| Coordinates | 50°47′44.22″N 1°06′30.86″W / 50.7956167°N 1.1085722°WCoordinates: 50°47′44.22″N 1°06′30.86″W / 50.7956167°N 1.1085722°W |
| Construction started | 2001 |
| Completed | 2005 |
| Cost | £35.6 million |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 560 ft (170 m) |
| Roof | 360 ft (110 m) |
| Top floor | 344 ft (105 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 4 |
| Lifts/elevators | 1 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | HGP Greentree Allchurch Evans |
| Developer | The Millennium Commission |
| Structural engineer | Scott Wilson Halcrow Yolles |
| Main contractor | Mowlem |
| References | |
The Spinnaker Tower is a 560-foot (170 m) landmark observation tower in Portsmouth, England, UK. It is the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour, which was supported by a National Lottery grant. Its shape was chosen by Portsmouth residents from a selection. The tower, designed by local firm HGP Architects and engineering consultants Scott Wilson and built by Mowlem, reflects Portsmouth's maritime history through its being modelled after a sail. The tower was opened on 18 October 2005.
The tower is owned by Portsmouth City Council, but operationally it is managed by Continuum Leading Attractions, a cultural attractions group based in York. Continuum also runs five other visitor attractions across the country. Following a commercial sponsorship deal with Dubai-based Emirates airline, the tower was renamed the Emirates Spinnaker Tower in July 2015.
The tower, at a height of 560 feet (170m) above sea level, is 2 1⁄2 times as high as Nelson's Column, making it one of the tallest accessible structures in the United Kingdom outside London. The tower is visible around Portsmouth, changing the horizon of the area. It can be seen from the Isle of Wight, the Manhood Peninsula and even Highdown Gardens in Worthing.
The tower represents sails billowing in the wind, a design accomplished using two large, white, sweeping metal arcs, which give the tower its spinnaker sail design. The steelwork was fabricated by Butterley Engineering. At the top is a triple observation deck, providing a 360° view of the city of Portsmouth, the Langstone and Portsmouth harbours, and a viewing distance of 23 miles (37 km). The highest of the three observation platforms, the Sky Deck, has only a wire mesh roof, so visitors are open to the elements. The windows extend above head height, so it is not possible to get a view unobstructed by glass. A glass floor is located on the first viewing deck at 100 metres above sea level. The tower has a design lifetime of 80 years.
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