Brighton selects Gehry for seafront development

Karis/ING – whose team includes Canadian architect, Frank Gehry, responsible for the design of Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum – has been selected by Brighton & Hove City Council (B&HCC) to create a scheme for the redevelopment of a 1.7 hectare former sports centre site on Hove seafront.

The group’s initial concept proposes four towers up to 38 storeys and containing 438 flats, the scheme funding the provision of a new £26m public sports centre.

An economic analysis showed that the Karis/ING scheme would inject around £25-35m a year into the local economy. It was also considered that the structure would have considerable impact as a landmark and tourist attraction.

Public facilities proposed include a winter gardens and a high-level viewing platform and restaurant.

The sports centre itself would feature a 25m competition pool and teaching and leisure pools, a sports hall with space for eight badminton courts, a six-rink indoor bowls hall, an 80-station gym, a workout studio, a health suite, crèche and soft play area and a café.

Karis/ING’s proposal was chosen from a total of three put forward in early March, the others being by Countryside Properties and the Richard Rogers Partnership – which the council decided at the end of April not to pursue – and by Barratt Southern Counties/Brunswick Development Group.

B&HCC stresses that the scheme has not been finalised and, if chosen, there will be at least six months of design development before a planning application. Details: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk