World's largest Ferris wheel reaches 'unprecedented' construction milestone
– Omar Delawar
The largest and highest observation wheel in the world is taking shape on Dubai’s Bluewaters Island, with the structure’s hub and spindle safely placed on top of its 126m (413ft) high legs.
Two of the world’s largest cranes have assembled the key components of the wheel, which will be called Ain Dubai. The current weight of the structure is 1,805 tonnes – equivalent to four Airbus A380 aircraft.
The hub will now be connected to the wheel’s rim via 192 spoke cables, evoking a giant bicycle wheel. The final attraction will be 210m high (689 ft). Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Meraas, the Dubai development company overseeing the AED1bn (US$272.3m, €240.4m, £207.3m) project, have described the construction work completed so far as “an unprecedented undertaking in the engineering world, both in terms of process and scale.”
The Hub and Spindle of the observation wheel were manufactured and assembled in the United Arab Emirates and shipped to Bluewaters Island as they were too large to be transported by land.
Hyundai Contracting and Starneth Engineering, who designed and engineered the wheel, worked with third party engineers to ensure the horizontal and vertical forces are perfectly accounted for in the design.
“Once completed, Ain Dubai will emerge as an engineering masterpiece,” said Meraas chief project officer Omar Delawar. “It’s the first of its kind in the industry. It’ll be a truly spectacular must-visit attraction, adding a unique experience and vantage point to the list of things to do in Dubai. This heralds a new era in the world of entertainment and will introduce the unforgettable option of viewing Dubai from the skies.”
Ain Dubai will overtake the High Roller in Las Vegas, which is 167.6m high, as the world's tallest observation wheel. A similar wheel in New York, also engineered by Starneth, will take second place when it is completed in 2018.
Ain Dubai will be the main attraction of the AED6bn (US$1.6bn, €1.4bn, £1.25bn) Bluewaters Island, which Meraas is developing to feature entertainment, retail, residential and hospitality offerings.
Dubai Ain Dubai Ferris wheel Bluewaters Island UAE architecture design engineering MeraasTechnical complications delay US$580m New York Wheel
Ferris Wheel reinvented with Brighton's world-first i360
FFA opposes San Diego Ferris wheel development over aviation concerns
Delhi Eye finally debuts three years after completion
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
From flooding old shopping malls to revolutionising housing, MVRDV’s founders like to do things differently