Rio’s Version of the “London Eye” Begins to Shape the Dockside Area

By Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The 90-meters-high Ferris wheel, which will become a tourist attraction in Rio’s dockside area is starting to take shape. A large section of the metallic structure was assembled this week, and its size is drawing the attention of those passing through. The complete construction weighs 600 tonnes.

Rio was supposed to have its “Pleasure Wheel”, the largest in Latin America, by the end of the first half of 2019. But now the works are expected to be completed in October and, after a month of testing, the Ferris wheel should be inaugurated in November. There will be 54 climatized gondolas, designed to carry up to eight people each.

Since Friday, May 31st, 80 men have been working on the fitting of parts that arrived from China. The Chinese company has produced over 200 Ferris wheels worldwide.

The attraction is expected to host up to 20,000 visitors per day and generate approximately 70 direct jobs, according to Ronaldo Costa Beber, representative of ARC Big Eye, the company awarded the bid by the Urban Development Company of the Harbor Area (CDURP). Ticket pricess should not exceed R$50.

The Rio structure will not make it into the top ten of the tallest big wheels in the world, despite its impressive size.

With a height of 167.6 m, Las Vegas’ High Roller is currently the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. Situated on the Strip, the structure is part of The LINQ project and features 28 high-tech glass-enclosed cabins with sweeping views of the city