Spinnaker Tower, Observation tower in Portsmouth, England
Spinnaker Tower is an observation tower in Portsmouth, England, that rises 170 meters above the harbor basin and shapes the skyline of the coastal city. Three viewing platforms between 100 and 110 meters offer different perspectives on the harbor area, surrounding waters and distant landscape.
The tower opened in 2005 as part of a larger harbor development project intended to revitalize the waterfront area. Funding came partly from national lottery grants, with construction costs running higher than originally estimated.
The name Spinnaker refers to the triangular foresail of large sailing vessels and reflects the city's long naval history. Visitors today experience a viewing platform shaped like a billowing sail that makes the harbor connection visible.
High-speed lifts bring visitors to the platforms, with the uppermost level open to the air and dependent on weather conditions. Those uncomfortable with heights should prefer the glazed platform that sits lower and offers full enclosure.
The tower holds one of the largest glass floors in Europe, through which visitors can look directly downward. On clear days, views extend to the Isle of Wight and across the Solent, a strait between the mainland and the island.
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