The London Eye
Waterloo SE1

Height: 135m (450ft)
Number of pods: 32
Built: 1999
Architect: Marks Barfield
Developer: British Airways

Links:
http://www.londoneye.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/panoramics/londoneye1.shtml
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=110620

Photo Galleries:
http://www.londoneye.com/view/gallery_your.asp?section=view&secondnav=gallery
http://www.londoneye.com/view/gallery_our.asp?section=view&secondnav=gallery
http://www.londoneye.com/view/gallery_nick.asp?section=view&secondnav=gallery



The London Eye was built to commemorate the new millennium.

Unlike other millennium projects, the London Eye has been lauded both as a critical and public success - each year
some 4 million people take a "flight" on the British Airways sponsored big wheel, making it Britain's most popular
paid for attraction, and British Airways' most profitable asset.

The Eye was the world's biggest ferris wheel when built, some 135 metres (450 feet) in diameter with 32 pods
each housing 25 people at a time (making 800 people in total).

As well as being large, it is an impressively sleek structure, striking white in colour. The wheel itself is sleek and
beautifully designed. The pods are oval and rounded, with glass surrounding you from head to toe, with metal
floor and ceiling.

The wheel is sited near the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. From the windows of the pod, you get a
panoramic view of all that London has to offer. The Wheel hangs over the River Thames.




http://is.freefoto.com/images_d/31/17/31_17_6_web.jpg




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http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL85/949935/2690949/54752769.jpg




http://www.skyscrapernews.com/gallery/millenium_wheel15-01.jpg




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10/10! Ive been on it twice and the experience was truly unforgettable.

What can you say? Its a work of art. A revolutionary idea of taking the normal ferris wheel and morphing it into a radically new design!!!

what an amazing SKYSCRAPER :)

just beautiful.................10/10

This photo is Amazing....! 8 points...!

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL85/949935/2690949/54752771.jpg

:)

Beautiful !! 9/10

A big zero from me.

£18 million loss for London Eye:

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view.php?ArtID=1227

i dont like how the pods are on the outside like that, 6/10

i dont like how the pods are on the outside like that, 6/10
Um ... if they were on the inside then you wouldn't get much of a view, would you?

i dont like how the pods are on the outside like that, 6/10

Originally they're were going to be twice as many.

Spectacular attraction. A good ride, and very, very pleasing to the eye. Fits n better than I thought it would too - looks like it belongs where it does.

10/10 for me. A perfect structure.

8/10

A big zero from me.

? Because? :weirdo:

Fun, but nothing compared to the Wonder Wheel in NYC--which is 75 years older...

? Because? :weirdo:

Because it is a luna park wheel, nice for children so what. Second it spoils the historic centre. A luna park wheel next to Big Ben?? I can not find any architectural special feature, but of course mechanically is interesting. From London I expected something more interesting, especially if you add the rest of the millenium projects you get really disappointed.

P.S The big zero == London eye :)

It is my most favorite fariswheel mostly because of those very cool blue lookout capsuls around the outside. 10/10

Because it is a luna park wheel, nice for children so what. Second it spoils the historic centre. A luna park wheel next to Big Ben?? I can not find any architectural special feature, but of course mechanically is interesting. From London I expected something more interesting, especially if you add the rest of the millenium projects you get really disappointed.

P.S The big zero == London eye :)

Well, that's your opinion.

The fact remains, it's London's most popular paid-for attraction.

I think it's an amazing structure that has transformed the skyline and really helped in regenerating that part of the South Bank. It's brought a real sense of fun to that area. And its location opposite Big Ben is perfect imho. In London there are countless examples of this "blending" of old and new buildings.

7 for its dimensions and locations. But it doesn't look that good to me.

Well, that's your opinion.

The fact remains, it's London's most popular paid-for attraction.

I think it's an amazing structure that has transformed the skyline and really helped in regenerating that part of the South Bank. It's brought a real sense of fun to that area. And its location opposite Big Ben is perfect imho. In London there are countless examples of this "blending" of old and new buildings.

You are right. London created a mini disneyland in the city, Londoners true masters of business. But for architecture and innovative structures still long way to go. :)

You are right. London created a mini disneyland in the city, Londoners true masters of business. But for architecture and innovative structures still long way to go. :)


Guess you havent seen the imperial buildings seen as far away as India etc. bung all those together then you have London!

You are right. London created a mini disneyland in the city, Londoners true masters of business. But for architecture and innovative structures still long way to go. :)

what a load of bollocks... there is every fucking style of architecture from 1000 years ago to the present day you nimwit, world recognisable architecture and hidden gems, many classic examples of the period that are only uncovered if you spend your time there instead of looking at some postcards from the British Embassy in Athens. So the London Eye isnt innovative?! Have you seen a ferris wheel with no main supporting lattice work spanning from the centre? And at that size? Creating an incredible illusion of an impossible structure? Mini Disneyland?! Your criteria is that you pay to go on it and there is a McDonalds nearby?!

Take my advise, please dont write a book on architecture or engineering... actually I dont know why Im bothering to get so worked up, I recall similar posts from you containing all the intellect and knowlegde of pre-pubescent ant

what a load of bollocks... there is every fucking style of architecture from 1000 years ago to the present day you nimwit, world recognisable architecture and hidden gems, many classic examples of the period that are only uncovered if you spend your time there instead of looking at some postcards from the British Embassy in Athens. So the London Eye isnt innovative?! Have you seen a ferris wheel with no main supporting lattice work spanning from the centre? And at that size? Creating an incredible illusion of an impossible structure? Mini Disneyland?! Your criteria is that you pay to go on it and there is a McDonalds nearby?!

Take my advise, please dont write a book on architecture or engineering... actually I dont know why Im bothering to get so worked up, I recall similar posts from you containing all the intellect and knowlegde of pre-pubescent ant

Well said, potto. Some trolls never cease to amaze me how they seem to enjoy demonstrating their abject stupidity. :)




I recall similar posts from you containing all the intellect and knowlegde of pre-pubescent ant
Lol! :laugh:

Why you do not take any critic about the Big Wheel? :|

Ok people, please relax. It's a forum on architecture rating and a friendly one. Please everyone keep that in mind. This is a cool and friendly forum :).

Why you do not take any critic about the Big Wheel? :|

ok Im still at work and its christmas so im stressed... I was pointing out that it is an innovative structure and I used engineering facts to back it up, just read up any book on its design and construct (and yes construct is architecture and vice versa). Your comment on how it is merely 'Disney-land' is offensive and there is no valid criteria for that view, apart from the fact that you may happen to label every viewing platform in any city as 'disney land'.

i've been up there once, fantastic

Fun, but nothing compared to the Wonder Wheel in NYC--which is 75 years older...

lolol oh yes i forgot this thread is London/ brit related...

u idiot

Ok, he doesn't like it. Case closed.

7/10

sorry, but just ok

http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/london_eye_overhead.jpg

7/10

sorry, but just ok

"Just OK" ?

Lol. This is one of the most spectacular landmarks in London, and the most popular paid-for attraction in the city.

9/10

Well in essence it really is just a big fairground/Ferris wheel and you can't possibly say that is a new idea . The pods give it a contemporary twist . I do like it very much but I don't see what all of the fuss is about .

I don't believe there is any one part of it that was made in the UK . The only British thing about it is the design .

Why did London never build a beautiful big Britannia ?

7/10

The location is nice,but it's just a wheel...

I really like it, so few cities possess a monster wheel right in the city center, very original. Another new landmark for London
9/10

9.5

it goes round and round

7/10.

Like Phobos said it's nice but it's just a wheel 8/10

8/10

8.5/10

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9141/dsc032195gr.jpg

Sorry I love the city and most of its buildings will get a nice 9 or a big 10 from me... but this wheel I do not like. Just because of the cool blue booths, I gave it more points. If not I will give it a 3 or less.

So it gets a 5.

They wanted to put the same crap in New York City... I am glad it failed.

http://www.pbase.com/image/29326121.jpg

How you can call it crap I don't know :dunno:

I've been on it once and it's spectacular. A truly impressive feat of engineering and a beautiful structure. Contrasts well with the old buildings surrounding it 9/10

How you can call it crap I don't know :dunno:

I've been on it once and it's spectacular. A truly impressive feat of engineering and a beautiful structure. Contrasts well with the old buildings surrounding it 9/10

Totally agree. A beautiful, elegant structure that's an extremely daring and well-engineered piece of architecture. It symbolizes London as a modern, forward-thinking 21st century city - and it's been a great catalyst for the regeneration of the South Bank.

9/10

8/10

9.5/10

http://static.flickr.com/65/178976223_3e7e41d81e_o.jpg

10/10

8.5/10

10/10

8/10

7.5/10

8.5/10

Yay....another instant , pricey tourist trap:D
Still, i've very much enjoyed the views from it last time I was in London, so I give 9/10!

Of course, it's an outstanding nice structure... But, I don't know... It can't inspire me that much that it does some other in here :pet:

A big 10 from me! I've been up it before and it was brilliant. Beautiful, and so nice to have it directly opposite the Houses of Parliament!

Dont like it at all. Like some kind of luna park in the city center. Yak
3/10

what an amazing architecture. 10/10

i think the eye is simply marvelous as it offers the best view of London...

modern and really futuristic...

10/10

A 9 for the 2nd night photo.

10/10
I like the design of the pods and this seems to be a new landmark for London.

Awesome! 10/10 :)

So much better in real life yet stunning in the pictures!! 8.5

8/10
;)
I rode it last week!
:wink2:

I like a lot how they use the tension structure like. It's hard for me to express the engineering parts but the tension lines connected to the shaft making sure the wheel wont tumble.
Though there are a few dislikes which probaly evolved because of budgetting :| first of all... the red 'drivers' are way to ugly... I'm sure the architect didn't think about such, further the capsules should be bigger I think originally, that way they don't look like rice-pellets attached to a wheel

8/10 awesome

From eskimoman, Flickr.com

Spot Big Ben in the corner :)


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/182/380511265_a33dc03049_o.jpg

8,5/10

8/10 its a bit obnoxeious I know its very popular attraction but every time I go to Picadilliy circus all I see is this huge wheel sticking out of nowhere.But its still got a great design.I hered once while they were building this that Richard Branson( CEO and founder of Virgin Atlantic) hoisted himself in a ballon over the thames and took a picture and said BA cant get it up.

9/10

10/10...quite a good idea, beautiful silhouette on the skyline, but most of all it's FABULOUS to experience!

10/10

7/10.... it's just a big wheel ;)

London doesn't have a historic core.

8/10

9. :D

Interesting conustruction, quite nice turist attraction, but i don't like this architecture. I've never been inside so i guess there is a lot of fantastic view.
However 8.5/10

Really comic thema....! Nice for Monthy Pyton film......No more than 5 !

9.5/10

10/10

10!!

9,5/10. Just after I`ve seen Status Quo performing there....

09

Excelent view of the city!. Awesome location. A new icon for London. Great infrastructure. And a kick-ass design :) love it 10/10

8/10

9.5/10

6,5

3 or less/10

This one I truly hate. A huge goddam bicycle tire right in front of a river in London. Talk about an eye sore. This one is a mother of them all.

8/10

10/10

great :), 9/10

9/10

10/10

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9141/dsc032195gr.jpg

Lol I love some of the idiotic comments on here, and many from people who have never seen this structure for real. It is staggering, as is London.

10/10

10/10

10. Excellent. Regards.

7/10

7/10

10/10

8/10

4/10