The First Piece of the New York Wheel Arrives in Staten Island

A new development may cause city residents to rethink Staten Island's long-regarded role as New York’s “forgotten borough.” That’s right—slated for completion in 2018 is the world’s largest observation wheel, which will be part of a larger redevelopment program on the island’s long-neglected St. George Waterfront. This week, news hit that the wheel's four legs, which were constructed in Italy, are stateside and will soon be ready to be erected. Though one might not immediately find ferris wheel legs newsworthy, it is worth mentioning that each leg measures 275 feet high, 18 feet wide, and a whopping 500 tons, making successful shipment a feat in and of itself. The legs are currently residing at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal and will be moved to Staten Island later this month.

When completed, the 630-foot-tall observation wheel will steal the title of largest in the world from Las Vegas’s High Roller, which currently stands at a mere 550 feet. Beyond magnitude, the wheel was also engineered to withstand natural disasters, especially high-category hurricanes like Sandy, which devastated areas of Staten Island in 2012. From a business perspective, the wheel is expected to be a boon for the island’s tourist economy, with its height offering staggering views of city landmarks like the Statue of Liberty , the World Trade Center , and others.