NEWS: Moscow looking to build world's tallest ferris wheel

[jedimaster1227]

http://en.ria.ru/russia/20111109/168535299.html

 

Moscow authorities are discussing a possible location for a giant 220-m (722-ft) Ferris wheel as part of a plan to attract more tourists to the Russian capital, the Kommersant newspaper said on Wednesday.

 

The wheel, tentatively called the Moscow View, was designed by the U.S. Gensler design bureau, which has the River Park in London and the 632-meter Shanghai Tower in its portfolio.

 

If built, the wheel will surpass the world’s tallest 165-m (541-ft) Singapore Flyer, the famous 160-m (520-ft) Star of Nanchang in China, and the Europe’s tallest 135-m (443-ft) London Eye.

 

The construction cost of the Moscow View is estimated at $300 million, the Kommersant said.

 

The Moscow government is planning to invest 135 billion rubles ($4.5 bln) until 2016 under a draft program aimed at boosting tourism in the capital.

 

Moscow, which ranks 19th on the Euromonitor International list of the world’s largest tourist centers, aims at increasing the number of visitors from the current 4 mln to 7 mln each year to receive over 50 billion rubles ($1.65 bln) in annual revenues from tourism.

[gisco]

Interesting, maybe this on has a chance with financing backed by their government.

[larrygator]

Wow that would be huge. Imagine Dragster built atop Millennium Force's lift hill.

[Chroniq]

Complete speculation- but, this will get built.

[cfc]

I imagine the views from this wheel will be more interesting than those from the proposed "Orlando Eye."

[thrillrideseeker]

I personally do not think I would ever ride it! I hate ferris wheels in general!! However it would be awesome to see this actually get built.

~Matt

[OISU8P]

I may have missed this in the article (it is late).

 

Does it say anywhere on tentative start of construction and when they would like to have it open? It appears Gensler is designing it from another article I read.

[cal1br3tto]

Wow, I can't even imagine a Ferris wheel that massive. Intriguing.

[DougMJr]

Wow, 300 million is pretty steep! It would be cool to see if this thing gets built! However that height seems pretty intimidating and may discourage some tourists from riding. Also, at a $300 million price tag admission to the wheel will most likely be kinda pricey. Fingers crossed though!

[Anything]

The design of this looks exceptional. I just hope that Moscow is a beautiful view from up high.

[disneyfan1313]

Ferris Wheels sometimes freak me out a little, so I am not sure I could handle a 700+ foot tall one that has to sit through Russian winters!

[Masquerade]

Fighting against communism, one Ferris Wheel at a time.

[the ghost]

I am told the London eye takes like 30 minutes(give or take)to complete... any speculation of how long this will take to do a circuit? I enjoy Ferris wheels for the most part, although I don't know if I would enjoy being in a Ferris wheel car for (give or take) an hour, but this still seems quite awesome if not just for the view.

[Moose]

I'm not the biggest fans of old school ferris wheels but was absolutely fine with the London Eye, I'm guessing this will be similar experience.

 

Had anyone Ben on the Eye (or sim style wheel) and been freaked out by the height?