London Eye

The London Eye is a cantilevered observation wheel located in the Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. At 443-feet (135 meters) tall and with a diameter of 394 feet (120 meters), it is the largest observation wheel of its kind in Europe. Similar in design to a traditional Ferris wheel, the London Eye is one of the British capital’s most recognizable landmarks and frequently visited tourist attractions. At the time of its debut as the Millennium Wheel in 2000, the London Eye offered the highest public viewpoint in the city—a distinction it retained until the opening of an observation deck on the seventy-second floor of the Shard in 2013. In addition to quickly becoming a highlight of the local tourism scene, the London Eye is viewed by many as a national symbol of British technological innovation. Moreover, the success of the London Eye spurred a revival of Ferris-wheel construction around the world.

Background

The London Eye was the brainchild of architects David Marks and Julia Barfield, who proposed constructing a giant observation wheel as an entry in a 1993 Sunday Times competition for a new landmark to be built in commemoration of the then-upcoming millennium. While the newspaper never selected a winner, Marks and Barfield decided to move forward with the project on their own. In the years that followed, the firm found a suitable location for its giant observation wheel along the banks of the River Thames and secured most of the necessary funding through a sponsorship deal with British Airways.

Construction of what was initially known as the Millennium Wheel began in 1998 with hopes that it would be completed in time for New Year’s Eve in 1999. For more than a year and a half, a dedicated crew of nearly two thousand people worked to make the giant wheel a reality. The construction process required the use of nearly two thousand tons of steel and more than three thousand tons of concrete. The wheel itself was built in Norway and transported by boat up the River Thames to the building site. Similarly, the wheel’s thirty-two-passenger capsules were manufactured in France and transported to London by train. The 82-foot (25-meters) long spindle was built in the Czech Republic. Once all the parts were onsite, the wheel was assembled horizontally. It was finally lifted to its upright position on October 10, 1999.

The Millennium Wheel—now called the London Eye—was officially opened by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair on December 31, 1999. However, the first paying passengers did not begin boarding the wheel until March 9, 2000. Originally, the London Eye was only meant to serve as a temporary attraction and set to be taken down after just five years of operation. However, due to its overwhelming popularity among tourists, the London Eye ultimately became a permanent fixture. While it has remained relatively unchanged since its installation, a decorative LED lighting system was installed in 2006 to make it more visible at night.

Overview

The London Eye is something of a marvel of modern architecture. While it is structurally similar to traditional Ferris wheels, the London Eye has a few key differences. The most important of which is that the London Eye is a cantilevered wheel, which means that it is only supported on one side. This unique design allows the wheel to extend out over the River Thames. The wheel’s hub rests on top of two supports that are anchored to a foundation on the ground so that it leans over the river at a 65-degree angle. The whole structure is held in place by six backstay cables that are anchored to a separate foundation.

The wheel portion of the London Eye measures 394 feet (120 meters) in diameter and is connected to the hub by a series of sixty-four cables. Sixteen rotation cables are also attached to the hub at an opposing angle. These cables work to prevent lag between the turning of the rim and hub. The wheel rotates around the hub with the help of hydraulic motors driven by electric pumps. Energy is transferred from the motors to the wheel by rubber truck tires mounted on the base of the structure. In essence, it is these tires that actually move the wheel.

The London Eye also features thirty-two high-tech passenger capsules that represent the city’s thirty-two distinct boroughs. Each capsule holds up to twenty-five people and is attached to the wheel via a circular mountain ring. This design allows each capsule to rotate within its mounting ring as the wheel itself rotates so that it remains horizontal at all times. Each capsule also features weather-resistant glass, bench seating, and a built-in heating and air-conditioning system. In addition, engineers included an on-board stability system that prevents the capsule from tipping as passengers move about the cabin.

It takes the London Eye wheel about 30 minutes to complete one full rotation. As a result of its relatively slow moving speed, the wheel typically does not have to stop for passengers to get on or off. An estimated 3.5 million people ride the London Eye every year. In addition to standard rides, or “flights,” a number of packages for special flights are available that can include such additional amenities as champagne, wine tastings, or meals. Visitors can also book a private flight like the “Cupid’s Capsule,” which is a favorite among the more than five thousand people who have proposed to their loved ones on the London Eye since its opening. On any flight, the London Eye offers passengers breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding city. Many of London’s most famous landmarks are visible from the top of the wheel, including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.

The London Eye has received numerous design, innovation, engineering, and tourism awards. Some of the most notable include the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Innovation (2003), the Institution of Structural Engineers (ISE) Structural Award (2001), and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award (2000).

The London Eye celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2020. During this celebration, the wheel converted many of its pods into themed experiences for guests. In 2024, the London Eye was confirmed as a permanent fixture on the South Bank after a unanimous vote by local councillors.

Bibliography

Brady, Nicola. “Visiting the London Eye? Here’s Our Best Advice.” CNN, 28 Nov. 2018, www.cnn.com/travel/article/london-eye-tips-visit/index.html. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

“Coca Cola London Eye: In the Eye of the Engineers.” Mace, 2019, www.macegroup.com/projects/coca-cola-london-eye. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Hill, Miranda. “The History of the London Eye in 1 Minute.” Culture Trip, 27 June 2018, theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/the-history-of-the-london-eye-in-1-minute. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

“London Eye.” A View on Cities, 2019, www.aviewoncities.com/london/londoneye.htm. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

“London Eye.” Design Book Magazine, 2019, www.designbookmag.com/londoneye.htm. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

“London Eye.” Marks Barfield Architects, 2019, marksbarfield.com/projects/london-eye. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

“London Eye.” Structurae, 2019, structurae.net/en/structures/london-eye. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

"London Eye to Become Permanent South Bank Fixture." BBC, 8 May 2024, www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-68971162. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Ronca, Debra. “How the London Eye Works.” HowStuffWorks, 29 Sept. 2008, adventure.howstuffworks.com/london-eye.htm. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.