 In 1830 , James Atherton purchased much of the land at Rock Point , in the north @-@ east corner of Wallasey opposite the city and docks of Liverpool . He renamed it New Brighton and organised its development as a tourist destination . In July 1896 a new group , the New Brighton Tower and Recreation Company , with a share capital of £ 300 @,@ 000 , purchased the estate of the demolished Rock Point House . Their ambition was to create an observation tower in the grounds , designed to rival the Blackpool Tower , while using the remaining grounds to create a more " elegant " atmosphere . The New Brighton Tower and Recreation Company had more than 20 acres ( 8 @.@ 1 ha ) of land available to construct the tower , which enabled them to include more attractions than at Blackpool Tower . 
