Spinnaker Tower

The RICS  presented the Oscar’s of the Built and Natural Environment at a recent event in London.

The RICS’s 2006 Project of the Year was awarded to The Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.

The Tower was initially conceived in 1995, with construction not starting till 2001. The project was due to be  completed in1999 to coincide with the Millenium celebrations. However, due to repeated delays by the main contractor, Mowlem, the project was finally completed in  2005,  six years later than planned at a cost of over £35m.

The funding for the project was meant to be solely from the National Lottery. Due to the overspend, the local taxpayers had to contribute a massive £11.1m. The failures of the Local Authority lead to the resignation of the Council Leader and the suspension of the project’s legal advisor – (on full pay of course).

On the day of the actual opening, the Project Manager and representatives from Mowlem were stuck in the lift for over an hour and half. They had to be rescued by abseiling engineers.

Since the tower has opened there have been numerous security concerns – highlighted by both base jumpers and Fathers 4 Justice.

Cracks have already started to develop within the structure.

Just to remind ourselves -  this was the winner of the RICS’s oscars! Imagine what the other 216 entries where like?