NEW YORK—New York Wheel LLC has announced plans for its new attraction, a 625-ft. observation wheel, to be built on the northeastern side of State Island. The New York Wheel, slated to open in early 2016, will become the world’s tallest observation wheel upon its delivery.
The wheel will offer tourists views of the Lower and Midtown Manhattan skylines, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn and the New York Harbor. It will feature a terminal building that will include exhibitions about New York City history, alternative energy and environmental sustainability; the site also includes significant open green space.
The New York Wheel is collaborating with Cornell’s Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise at Johnson and the global relief and development agency CARE in the design of the project and has plans to earn Platinum LEED certification. In addition to these collaborators, Starneth, B.V., an engineering company specializing in observation wheels and structures, and Perkins Eastman, an architecture and design firm, are working with The New York Wheel. Broadwall Consulting Services is serving as construction consultant.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2014.