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Work begins on "world's tallest" Ferris wheel in Staten Island

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Preliminary work has begun on Staten Island's New York Wheel (Image: New York Wheel)
The New York Wheel will rise 192 m (630 ft) above New York Harbor (Image: New York Wheel)
The New York Wheel is slated for completion in 2017 (Image: New York Wheel)
The US$500 million Ferris wheel will have a capacity of up to 1,440 passengers at a time (Image: New York Wheel)
Preliminary work has begun on Staten Island's New York Wheel (Image: New York Wheel)
New York Wheel is being built by Starneth BV, the Dutch company which erected the London Eye (Image: New York Wheel)
The wheel itself will feature 36 capsules, each with a capacity of up to 40 people, and over $7 million in LED lighting (Image: New York Wheel)
Despite its obvious status as an energy-hog, the organizers hope to reach Platinum LEED certification (Image: New York Wheel)
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Preliminary construction work has begun on Staten Island's New York Wheel: a huge Ferris wheel that will rise 192 m (630 ft) above New York Harbor. Slated for completion in 2017, the US$500 million New York Wheel will have a capacity of up to 1,440 passengers at a time.

New York Wheel is being built by Starneth BV, the Dutch firm responsible for the London Eye, and is part of a larger $1 billion redevelopment of St. George, Staten Island. Over $7 million will be spent in LED lighting and the Ferris wheel will feature 36 capsules, each with a capacity of up to 40 people. A full ride will take 38 minutes to complete.

The developers hope to attract over 4 million visitors per year, and they state that approximately 350 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs in ticket sales, maintenance and other positions will be created as a result of the project.

The US$500 million Ferris wheel will have a capacity of up to 1,440 passengers at a time (Image: New York Wheel)

New York Wheel is aiming for LEED Platinum certification (a green building standard). Though we've no in-depth details on any sustainable design, the firm does make mention of possible renewable energy sources being used to power the Ferris wheel, including wind, wave, and solar power, with any excess juice sent back into the grid. In addition, New York Wheel's ancillary building features a massive 2.4 hectare (6 acre) green roof that will be host to concerts, food festivals, and corporate gatherings, amongst other events.

Though New York Wheel is promoted as the world's tallest Ferris wheel, the Daily Mail reports that work is also currently underway on the Dubai Eye, a Ferris wheel that will be 18 m (60 ft) taller. If the report proves accurate, Dubai's project will win "world's largest" Ferris wheel bragging rights. Still, New York Wheel's status as tallest Ferris wheel in the Western Hemisphere is assured.

Sources: New York Wheel, NYEDC

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7 comments
piperTom
Just imagine: you finally get on this big wheel and you then ride (and ride and ride) while 1400 people get on behind you.
I suppose, for that price, they might make entrance (and exit) ramps, so the cars will load while flat on the ground. Then the wheel would never need to slow down to take on new passengers. If so, that's the most interesting aspect of the design.
Jay Finke
Bet this ride will get your butt to pucker up in moderate to high winds
JPAR
@piperTom
The London eye doesn't slow down for people to get on an off. it'll be the same principle on this wheel as well. Although the beauty of the London Eye is that it is slap bang in the city centre directly overlooking many historic and famous buildings - whats in close range of this proposed wheel?
Joseph Mertens
Government Pork make work praying for the "If you build it they will come" kind of reaction. Same thing with most cities stadiums government cronies get fat and taxpayers get lean.
Dennis Berthold
It's a nightmare driving through Staten Island as is, can't wait for this to add more delays!
Doug Moffitt
Only in America!
Richelle Van Den Dungen Gronovius
More information about the Dubai Eye: www.thedubaieye.com