Pier 57 Ferris Wheel U/C

[Seasun]

I heard ribbon cutting was at 2:30 so that explains the scene I think. Too bad it's not bright sunshine but at least it's not raining yet on this Friday (@jessejb).

[Matt the Engineer]

You can get better pictures with clouds anyway. No hard shadows.

[jessejb]

Originally Posted by Seasun

I heard ribbon cutting was at 2:30 so that explains the scene I think. Too bad it's not bright sunshine but at least it's not raining yet on this Friday (@jessejb).

YET. haha

We had our "inexplicable area of Friday rain that comes in at 7pm, doesnt show up on the radar and sits only over the city of Seattle until the bars let out" later on.

[Seasun]

Friend suggested we try this. Pretty cool. Other pics in the same album.

[JiminyCricket]

^Do the pods smell like sex and marijuana yet?

[Seasun]

No, but they just might! Pods worked better than I thought. They are small but not bad. There were 4 adults and 1 kid in mine.

[mhays]

That pic is pretty badass.

[LCIII]

Agreed!

[Seasun]

Kind of dirty window in the pic I took. They're going to need to clean all that glass very frequently. Between people (and kids!) inside and the salt air and traffic outside there's lot of residue.

The other pics for handy reference:

[Capitol Hill]

That just looks like hell to me. Ferris Wheels ARE evil.

So, how long is the ride?

[Seasun]

It's not scary at all - I've never even done an upside down loop in a roller coaster - if that's what you're talking about.

They slowly load 6 cars with each pause of the wheel then the wheel goes for several revolutions without stopping (about 10 or 12 minutes?). I say slowly because the doors aren't remotely operated so staff have to open and close the cab doors on both the north (loading) and south (alighting) sides. Maybe obvious to some but be sure to use the restroom prior to getting in line. It could be a 1/2 hour in line then a good 20 minutes on the ride by the time all the loading is done. Nice place to wait in line on a decent weather day. Lots to look at and I'm not a waiting in line guy.

[LCIII]

Mhays will be having none of that.

[Matt the Engineer]

I've been told you can skip the line if you buy tickets online.

[mhays]

If there are lines, this will be an out-of-the-park success.

[Seasun]

Yeah - a lady and her kid figured out they could skip the ticket line (although not at all clear this was the case until they asked). Still the line after the ticket scanner (right after the ticket booth) was probably a good 10 or 15 minutes as they loaded cabs.

[RMacherat]

See what I mean? If it stops raining for a minute and they build something that is shiny and/or moves, you have a riveting success in this town.

[mhays]

The real test is how it does when the locals have gotten their initial fill. I assume it'll have much lower traffic in the winter, so we can't judge it on that, assuming a decent trickle. If it stays busy all summer I'd call that a success.

[Rogue Linguist]

Cartoonish Ferris wheels aren't always so bad. Compare Seattle's with Barcelona's. I think Barcelona can afford having a cutesy Ferris wheel such as they have simply because this coastal Mediterranean metropolis possesses a rich, well-established urban landscape to contrast with it. If Seattle attempted the same thing, it would come across as a wee bit trite and trinket-like. So I'm glad Seattle went with the sleek, classy style. Although a punch of colour against that gloomy sky couldn't hurt.

[Ruffhauser]

From todays DJC.

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12043336.html

July 26, 2012

Success of wheel sparks more changes at Pier 57

By JON SILVER
Journal Staff Reporter

Now that the Seattle Great Wheel is up and spinning on Pier 57, Hal Griffith is turning his attention to spiffing up the rest of his pier.

Griffith has been busy remodeling the 44,000-square-foot Miners Landing building, making it more welcoming to Ferris wheel riders queuing up on the north side of the pier.

Architect Robin Murphy of Stricker Cato Murphy Architects said the building has new stairs and elevators, and the restrooms have been renovated.

There is also a new north entry and a “totally rebuilt” food court on the third level, Griffith said. Interior finishes have been upgraded.

A permit application has been filed with the city to expand the building by 1,300 square feet. The Landmarks Preservation Board will discuss the proposal at a 3:30 p.m. meeting Aug. 1 on the 40th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 Fifth Ave.

The addition would enclose the first-level patio bar at Fisherman's restaurant on the west end of the pier and add a second-level patio bar above.

Stricker Cato Murphy Architects is the designer. Murphy said changing the building envelope means the project must go through design review.

A city survey of historical sites says the 1902 building has historic significance because it retains a strong sense of its original architectural character. It's also one of the last examples of Seattle's waterfront transit sheds, and is on the only remaining pier once owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Co.

Griffith said response to the Ferris wheel has been “unbelievably positive,” with lines every day.

“But we don't know what will happen when the weather goes to hell,” he joked.

[jessejb]

Imagine that. People like fun!