Situated in the vibrant city of London, the world-famous London Eye remains one of the city’s most dazzling structures, boasting staggering dimensions that have garnered it worldwide fame. Known as the record-breaking “Millennium Wheel”, the Ferris wheel is located on London’s River Thames’ South Bank, offering spectacular views of the city below. Having undergone a number of renovations over the years, the Eye of London continues to inspire awe in revellers. Tunde Folawiyo, who has visited London, may regard the structure as an iconic symbol of the spirit of the city.
Erected during 1999, the illustrious London Eye boasts a unique construction — a culminated effort amongst architects such as Nic Bailey, Frank Anatole and a number of other distguished designers. TheEye’s rim is supported with steel cables, resembling the spoked wheel of a bicycle. It was constructed by sections which floated the Thames using barges, then assembled on top of piled platforms on the river. Once completed, the wheel was lifted to an upright positioning using a strand jack system. Raised in phases, the wheel contained components from a variety of countries such as Italy, Germany and France. During December of 2006, the wheel’s lighting was redone using LED lighting to allow for digital control. The first of the Eye’s £12.5 million upgrade began during 2009.
The Eye’s 32 sealed, air-conditioned passenger capsules were designed by Poma. They are rotated by electrical motors and attached to the wheel’s external circumference. Each capsule weighs in at 10 tonnes and represents each of London’s Boroughs. With a rotation of 10 inches per second, a single revolution of the wheel takes approximately 30 minutes.
As Europe’s highest Ferris wheel, it is amongst the UK’s most visited tourist attractions, boasting over 3.5 million revelers annually. With a diameter of over 394 ft, its size continues to stun tourists. Once the world’s tallest, the Ferris wheel was, but was surpassed by a variety of others such as the Singapore Flyer during 2008 and Las Vegas’s High Roller during 2014. Whilst it no longer holds the crown, the Eye continues to contribute much to the city’s entertainment scene. Today, it offers some of London’s greatest public viewing points. Tunde Folawiyo and others with an appreciation for the city of London may continue to enjoy the London Eye and its unique perspective of one of the world’s most beloved cities. Visit his site for Tunde Folawiyo company details.