Bono was towering above the rest of the rock world yesterday when he unveiled plans for U2's spectacular new recording studio. The star revealed how they will be making their next hit album at the top of a 20-storey tower which will loom over Dublin.

The huge building will be built at the Grand Canal Docks and become the biggest landmark in the city. Speaking to the Irish Daily Mirror, Bono said: "This place is the heart and the lifeblood of the city and we want to be a part of that.

"This city has been defaced and vandalised over the years and there aren't many handsome buildings that spring to mind.

"Over all these years of supposed financial wealth in the city the actual architecture and design of buildings hasn't benefited at all.

"No one has ever been fined or imprisoned for that but we're hopeful. The new Dublin is something that I want to be involved in."

The 42-year-old singer said that nothing could replace their current landmark studios at Hanover Quay which are being demolished as part of the docklands redevelopment scheme. U2 have recorded every album there and were devastated when they lost their battle to save the studios.

Bono added: "These studios are going to be great but they're no replacement for the old ones. It's hard to quantify what they mean to us.

"But in this case what's best for the city isn't what's best for U2 and we have to move on.

"When we were recording the last album it was quite an emotional experience - and frustrating too.

"All the time there were JCBs and trucks rolling past the window and we knew they would soon be descending on our patch."

Bono confirmed that they would not be paying for the new studios and said: "It's a sort of contra-deal as a replacement for the old ones but I'm not saying any more about that."

Top architects from around the world have been invited to submit their designs for the new tower which will stretch 60 metres into the new look Dublin skyline.

Bono will not have an input into plans although he does have one special request. "I really hope that, because we are at the top of the building, we will have a balcony or something.

"When you're in the recording studios 24 hours a day with the other guys from the band things can get quite tense, heated and emotional sometimes.

"I'd definitely want somewhere to be able to get out of the studio quickly when things get too heated. That's my only request."

The singer said he had no concerns over the huge redevelopment of the docks. He added: "It's clear that these people know what they are doing and it's great for the city.

"The developers are right to reclaim the river. We had the Grand Canal on the front cover of our second album, so it's always been special to us.

"I spent many times walking around the area while we were recording, just contemplating things and taking time out.

"It's great that we can stay in the area and continue to be inspired by its mystery."

Bono expressed concerns when he was told of plans to pull down trees along O'Connell Street. He said: "I think the area has got better in recent times - it wasn't the safest and nicest place to be for a while.

"I was down there recently and it had improved. But if it's true that they are pulling down trees then that's a mistake and a concern."

When told that they would be replaced with new trees Bono added: "But are we going to have to wait another 150 years for them to provide shade?"

U2 have already started pre-recording their next album and Bono said: "We're working hard at a number of things at the minute. There are new sounds coming out but we haven't launched full throttle into recording yet.

"A few ideas have been laid down and I'm excited about the future. It's a great time to be in U2, inspiration is everywhere."

And in a revealing insight into their last chart-topping album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, he joked: "While we were recording there was a lot of building going on around us.

"There was gas in the air all around the studio. So if people think that we were on something strange then that might be their answer.

"We're going to get back together to bounce out a few ideas in the studios and see what happens.

"But we're really looking to the future now and I think when these new studios are built it's going to be like a new beginning for us."

Despite plans for some plush restaurants within the tower, Bono insisted he wouldn't be getting involved in anything other than the music. He said: "I've done the whole catering thing now and, to be honest, it's too noisy. So I will be having absolutely nothing to do with anything in the tower other than our recording studio."

Some other designs he could copy:

Eiffel Tower - France's most famous monument, built in 1889 for the Universal Exhibition to celebrate the French revolution. It took 26 months to build, weighs 10,000 tons and contains 2,500,000 rivets. Would provide superb ventilation for hot, sweaty nights in the recording studio - but a single downpour could spell disaster

Leaning Tower of Pisa - Bono could lean on this tower for inspiration. It would make a striking addition to Dublin's skyline. But U2 might find themselves stuck in a moment they can't get out of if the tower leans any more

The CNN Tower - With a monument like this Bono really would be on top of the world. Stretching a massive 1,815 feet and five inches, the Toronto-based tower is the tallest building in the world. And Bono and his recording pals could make even sweeter music from a dizzying height like that. But it wouldn't be so good for vertigo sufferers.

And if he still hasn't found what he's looking for where better to create musical chaos than at Fawlty Towers? Bono would certainly have a lot of fun emulating hotel owner Basil Fawlty's eccentric style.

© 2002, MGN Ltd.