Its height – equivalent to 60 storeys - will make it the world’s tallest observation wheel.
Representatives from the company behind the project were joined by mayor Michael Bloomberg and city leaders at the announcement.
The New York Wheel, which will be built on the northeastern side of Staten Island, will offer city residents and tourists views of the Lower and Midtown Manhattan skylines, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn and the New York Harbor. It will feature 36 capsules, each carrying up to 40 passengers, giving a total of 1,440 people. Revolutions will take 38 minutes.
“The New York Wheel is destined to become one of the city’s – and the world’s – great landmark attractions,” said Richard Marin, president and CEO of New York Wheel LLC. “There are very few opportunities in life to get involved with a project of this magnitude. We believe that the Wheel will quickly become an iconic fixture and we are proud and excited to bring it to Staten Island, New York City, and the Tri-State area.”
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The New York Wheel will feature a large terminal building that will include exhibitions about New York City history, alternative energy, and environmental sustainability. The site also includes significant open green space. Construction plans for the Wheel and the terminal building will strive for Platinum LEED certification.
Among the architects, engineers, designers and consultants of the New York Wheel are: Starneth an engineering company specialising in giant observation wheels and structures and design firm Perkins Eastman. Broadwall Consulting Services acts as the New York Wheel’s construction consultant.
Construction on the New York Wheel is expected to begin in early 2014 with a grand opening scheduled for early 2016.
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