the london eye, the singapore flyer, the southern star observation wheel… who’s next?

The Observation Wheel is one of the most exciting new tourism projects planned for Melbourne – a stunning addition to the Melbourne landscape that will boast some of the most spectacular views over Melbourne and beyond.

The $40 million giant ferris wheel based on the popular London Eye will be 100 metres in diameter featuring 21 airconditioned and enclosed glass cabins that will showcase views stretching as far as Geelong.

The Observation Wheel is only the second of its kind in the world after the hugely successful London Eye. Whilst the cabins are similar in design, the Observation Wheel features a unique state-of-the-art star-like structure whereas the wheel of the London Eye is similar to a bicycle wheel with spokes.

considering that the singapore flyer (150 metres in diameter) is scheduled to open by march 2008 and the southern star observation wheel (100 metres in diameter) by christmas 2008, would it be right to say that the latter isn’t the 2nd in the world as it claims to be but the 3rd? i also don’t think that the melbourne counterpart has an official website yet.

update: a recent iht article did a write up on the ferris wheel frenzy.

The success of the Eye, with a height of 135 meters, or 443 feet, has reinvigorated demand for Ferris wheels. Similar observation wheels, as the latest versions are known, have opened or are being built in Malaysia, Manchester, Singapore and Melbourne, with others planned in Berlin, Dubai, Beijing and Orlando, Florida.

And as with skyscrapers, a heated competition is under way for the world’s tallest. In China last year, the Star of Nanchang, at 160 meters, took that distinction from the London Eye. The Singapore Flyer, at 165 meters, will eclipse the other two in early 2008, followed – in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics – by the Great Beijing Wheel, at 208 meters.

i really hope the that tourism boards of the respective countries will not compromise safety for the bigger, better, best ferris wheels. you don’t want it coming lose and transforming itself into a roller coaster ride, not a 2-for-1 deal here.