Archinect - News

Doomed New York Wheel could still be happening after all

2019-05-31T13:58:00-04:00

The developers of the New York Wheel killed plans to build a 630-foot observation wheel on Staten Island in October, amid skyrocketing costs and lengthy delays in getting the project completed. But, NY1 learned Tuesday that plans are in the works to bring the project back to life.

Archinect has been covering the tumultuous history of what was once promoted as "the tallest observation wheel in the Western Hemisphere" with spectacular views from Staten Island's North Shore.

View this post on Instagram At 630 ft and the tallest in the Western Hemisphere, here's how we stack up against all the rest #onebigwheel #statenisland #NYC #lasvegas #singapore #london #china
A post shared by New York Wheel (@nywheel) on May 17, 2016 at 12:46pm PDT

This 2016 Instagram post proudly announces the original target size. The new, revived wheel could be considerably smaller.

As NY1 reports now, the proposed revival of the less-than fortunate wheel "would be closer to the size of the 443-foot London Eye than the 630-foot wheel initially envisioned, but it could use the foundation that's already been built."

New York Wheel canceled. Now what?

2018-11-08T15:50:00-05:00

The New York Wheel was heralded as Staten Island’s boldest project [...] And then on October 23, after over five years in the pipeline and $400 million in private investment, the New York Wheel was pronounced dead. The results of the developers’ divisive, much-litigated efforts are a concrete plinth and completed parking garage.

Curbed New York's Zoe Rosenberg examines what the future may hold for Staten Island’s ambitious North Shore revitalization after the developers last month pulled the plug on the 630-foot main attraction, the New York Wheel.

Image: S9 Architecture / Perkins Eastman

New York Wheel faces enormous challenges to become viable

2017-11-01T13:27:00-04:00

Work has ground to a halt at the New York Wheel, a massive attraction that developers say will help turn the St. George Ferry Terminal into a bustling tourist destination. The latest projections put the wheel’s price tag at $590 million, more than twice initial estimates. The developers concede there have been setbacks, but they say they are still on firm financial footing and expect the project to succeed.

Building an audience from scratch for a new, expensive attraction on Staten Island's North Shore where visitors are also willing to spend $35 per ride to recover the half-billion-plus-dollar investment will be a steep challenge, Crain's reports: "To break even, the wheel likely needs to attract closer to 3 million visitors annually at $35 per head, judging from the developers' previous comments and information from Hunden Stratetgic Partners."

Construction work on New York Wheel to resume

2017-08-15T20:41:00-04:00

The New York Wheel has been delayed repeatedly since it was first announced in 2012. Initially, developers planned to finish the North Shore attraction in 2015, but that has since been pushed back to at least 2018. The estimated cost of the project has also grown from $230 million to $590 million.

As announced on Monday, The New York Wheel in Staten Island is spinning toward completion once again. The developer, New York Wheel Owner LLC, said it planned to work with American Bridge Company, which built a similar observation wheel in Las Vegas.

Opening of New York Wheel now delayed until 2018

2016-08-22T14:30:00-04:00

The first spin around the giant New York Wheel has been pushed back by a year. The 630-foot Ferris wheel coming to the Staten Island waterfront was scheduled to open in late 2017. But its developers announced that has been delayed until April 2018 to give more time to test the structure's safety. [...] Construction of the $580 million project is still expected to finish next year.

The New York Wheel previously on Archinect:

Tallest observation wheel in the Western Hemisphere expected to break ground in Staten Island soon

2015-04-16T14:56:00-04:00

New York City this week will officially break ground on a spot near the Staten Island Ferry terminal where the world’s tallest observation wheel will rise — unless Dubai builds a bigger one first. The Dubai Eye started erecting its 690-foot wheel a week ago. [...] The 630-foot New York Wheel seeks to dethrone the 550-foot High Roller in Las Vegas as the tallest in the world.

Previously: Mayor Bloomberg Unveils Plans To Build World's Tallest Ferris Wheel

Mayor Bloomberg Unveils Plans To Build World's Tallest Ferris Wheel

2012-09-27T19:55:00-04:00

Mayor Bloomberg today will unveil plans to transform Staten Island’s waterfront by building the world’s largest Ferris wheel along with a new retail complex and hotel on sites adjacent to Richmond County Bank Ballpark in St. George. The New York Wheel will be built just to the north of the ballpark and be 625 feet tall – 84 feet higher than the Singapore Flyer, currently the tallest Ferris wheel in the world.