Spinnaker Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spinnaker Tower |
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The Spinnaker Tower
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| Alternative names | Millennium Tower |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| 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°W |
| Construction started | 2001 |
| Completed | 2005 |
| Opened | 18 October 2005 |
| Cost | £35.6 million |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 170 m (560 ft) |
| Roof | 110 m (360 ft) |
| Top floor | 105 m (344 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 4 floors |
| Lifts/elevators | 1 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | HGP Greentree Allchurch Evans |
| Developer | The Millennium Commission |
| Structural engineer | Scott Wilson Halcrow Yolles |
| Main contractor | Mowlem |
The Spinnaker Tower is a tall observation tower in Portsmouth, England. It stands 170 meters (about 560 feet) high. This amazing tower is a main part of the new look for Portsmouth Harbour. Its building was helped by a grant from the National Lottery.
The people of Portsmouth helped choose the tower's design. In 1998, they voted for their favorite from three options. The tower has three viewing platforms, one above the other. These are at heights of 100 meters, 105 meters, and 110 meters.
Local company HGP Architects designed the tower. Engineering experts Scott Wilson also worked on it. The company Mowlem built it. The Spinnaker Tower's design shows Portsmouth's long maritime history. It looks like a spinnaker, which is a special type of sail that puffs out in the wind. The tower first opened its doors on October 18, 2005.
Portsmouth City Council owns the tower. A company called Continuum Leading Attractions manages it. This company also runs five other visitor places across the country.
From July 2015, the tower was called the "Emirates Spinnaker Tower." This was part of a five-year deal with the airline Emirates. The tower was even repainted for this. In April 2021, the deal ended. The tower went back to its original white color and name. On May 5, 2023, it was announced that Macmillan Cancer Support would be the new sponsor. This started in June 2023.
Contents
What is the Spinnaker Tower like?
The Spinnaker Tower is one of the tallest buildings you can visit in the UK outside of London. It stands 170 meters (560 feet) tall. The tower really changes how the Portsmouth skyline looks. You can see it from far away, like the Isle of Wight. You can also spot it from places like the Manhood Peninsula and Nine Barrow Down in Dorset.
How the Spinnaker Tower looks
The tower's design looks like sails blowing in the wind. It has two big, white, curved metal parts. These give the tower its unique spinnaker sail shape. Butterley Engineering made the steel parts.
At the very top, there are three observation decks. From here, you get a full 360-degree view of Portsmouth city. You can also see the Langstone and Portsmouth harbors. On a clear day, you can see up to 37 kilometers (23 miles) away!
Viewing decks and glass floor
The highest viewing platform is called the Sky Deck. It has a wire mesh roof, so you can feel the wind and weather. The windows go above your head. This means you can't get a view without looking through glass.
On the first viewing deck, which is 100 meters up, there's a glass floor. You can stand on it and look straight down! The tower was built to last for 80 years.
The Spinnaker Tower's History
The idea for the tower started in 1995. It was first going to be called the Millennium Tower. It was meant to be a special monument for the year 2000 celebrations. The project got money from the UK National Lottery. It was planned to open in late 1999.
Choosing the design
In early 1998, the people of Portsmouth got to choose the tower's design. They voted in a public poll. There were three designs to pick from:
- Spinnaker: This design had three viewing decks inside a spinnaker sail shape. It was supported by two towers that joined at the top.
- Globe: This was a see-through globe with many floors. Two columns on opposite sides supported it.
- Triple: This design had three towers in a narrow triangle. The tallest tower had a funnel-like top. It gave access to viewing decks on the two shorter towers.
The poll was run by Portsmouth City Council and the local newspaper, The News. It took place from February 11 to February 23, 1998. A total of 9,476 people voted. The Spinnaker design, by Hedley Greentree Associates Ltd., won with 65% of the votes.
Building and opening
Building the tower faced some challenges. There were delays with planning, money, and contracts. The builders, Mowlem, also asked for more money. Because of these issues, construction didn't start until 2001. It was finished in mid-2005. Since it wasn't ready for the Millennium as planned, its name was changed. It became the Spinnaker Tower, which was the name of the winning design.
The whole project cost more than expected. The tower itself cost £35.6 million. Taxpayers were not supposed to pay for it. However, Portsmouth City Council ended up paying £11.1 million towards its building.
The tower officially opened on October 18, 2005. On opening day, some people, including the project manager, got stuck in the external lift for a while. This lift was later removed in December 2012.
After it opened, the tower was very popular. More than 600,000 people visited in the first year. It's like other famous observation towers around the world. These include Vancouver's Harbour Centre and Toronto's CN Tower.
Safety and access
In June 2006, there was a concern about access for disabled people. UK law requires public buildings to have good access for everyone. Since the external lift wasn't working, there was only one internal lift and stairs for emergencies. This meant disabled people couldn't go up if they couldn't use the stairs. This was fixed by getting a special evacuation chair. Staff were trained to use it. Now, if the internal lift stops working, people who can't use the 570 steps can use the chair.
The Spinnaker Tower is a well-known landmark in southern England. It even appears in the opening of the BBC South Today news program. It also features on ITV News.
In June 2009, the tower's operators got permission for a freefall ride. This ride opened in June 2018. It allowed people to bungee jump into a safety net.
In 2006, the tower won two awards. These were the RICS Project of the Year award and the RICS Regeneration award.
Sponsorship with Emirates (2015–2020)
In May 2015, Portsmouth City Council wanted to earn more money. They decided to let a company sponsor the tower's name. This deal would mean the company could name the tower for at least five years. The tower would also be repainted in the sponsor's colors and have their logos. This was planned to happen before the 2015 America's Cup World Series in July. The airline Emirates was the top choice for the sponsor. The tower was going to be called the Emirates Spinnaker Tower.
On June 5, 2015, the city council confirmed the deal with Emirates. A council member said it was a good deal for the city. The tower was first planned to be painted red and white. But many people signed a petition against this color. So, the council decided to rethink the design.
A new design was shown on June 19, 2015. It featured blue, gold, and white colors. The President of Emirates said they listened to feedback. They worked with the council to create a design people would like. In April 2021, the tower was painted back to its original all-white color. This was because the five-year sponsorship deal with Emirates ended on June 30, 2020.
On May 5, 2023, Portsmouth City Council announced a new partnership. The charity Macmillan Cancer Support became the tower's new sponsor in June. This time, the tower will not be repainted or renamed. Instead, the charity's logo will be on one of the tower's legs and the main entrance sign. This deal will let the charity hold fundraising events at the tower.
Gallery
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Panoramic view of the first deck, showing the glass walkway.
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The Tower overlooking the harbour.
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The triangular staircase that must be navigated should an evacuation be needed.
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'Spinny', Spinnaker Tower's former mascot.
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The view through the glass floor of the tower.
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Rear view from ground level of the tower.
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Spinnaker Tower and harbour from the air, 2007.
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Spinnaker Tower from the water, 2012.
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Spinnaker Tower in 2019
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Visitors can buy a coin of their choice for £2 at the machine at the exit to the lift
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This is the back of the coin
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Events at the Spinnaker Tower
The Spinnaker Tower has hosted many fun and interesting events:
- The Magic Numbers played a live music set there on February 20, 2007.
- BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale had a live show from the tower on September 21, 2006.
- The tower hosted a regional event for the BBC's Children in Need in 2006. Pudsey Bear, the event's mascot, even abseiled down the tower!
- Series 4, Episode 1 of Coach Trip showed contestants spending a day at the tower.
- Blue Peter filmed their 2006 Book of the Year Award inside the tower.
- Contestants on The Biggest Loser had to climb over 1,500 steps to the top in February 2011.
- BBC's Stargazing Live was filmed at the tower in 2012.
- In 2014, Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage abseiled off the tower. She did this to raise money for the MS Society.
See also
In Spanish: Spinnaker Tower para niños
