From A Ellison.
ARE we still looking for an iconic building for the Waterfront? Something eye-catching but not spoiling the view of Elizabeth Castle? Relevant to Jersey and its maritime connections, but at the same time having a useful and profitable function, a tourist attraction? A talking point, and a ‘must-visit’ feature? What about a lighthouse?

To be really effective it will need to be no ordinary lighthouse. It must be very tall, slender and elegant, an architectural challenge. Perhaps an architectural prize would help.

The top will be an open-air viewing platform with a view over most of the Island, and on a very clear day to Normandy and Brittany. The ‘light’ will be a revolving restaurant with cafés and bars in the floors above or below. Every visitor to the Island will make it their first point of call. And what a place for a celebration, wedding, graduation, birthday, you name it!

There will also be further commercial value from the placement of aerials, television, radio and maritime radio. And perhaps some hotel rooms in the tower – with a better view than from the Radisson!

Yes, of course this project will be enormously expensive, and now is perhaps not the best time to finance it. But don’t we need some investment to speed the rebirth of Jersey tourism? This will bring visitors to the Island and a revenue for us all.

A topic for our new politicians and ourselves to debate. But we should start now while there is still some space left on the Waterfront. How about it, Jersey?
Petit Four,
Rue de la Blanche Pierre,
St Lawrence.