Great Dubai Wheel
Dubai Property Profile:
Dubailand Entertainment projects: 4
Dubailand Directory: [A]: THEME PARKS: Attractions and Experience World:
Great Dubai Wheel:
Dubailand Entertainment projects: 4
Dubailand Directory: [A]: THEME PARKS: Attractions and Experience World:
Great Dubai Wheel:
CONTENTS:
[A]: Project Website:
[B]: Project Developer:
[C]: Project Summary:
[D]: Dubai Map and Location: Great Dubai Wheel:
[A]: Project Website:
[B]: Project Developer:
[C]: Project Summary:
[D]: Dubai Map and Location: Great Dubai Wheel:
It was this! But is now this?
[A]: Project Website:
www.greatwheel.com
This is the website of the owner and developer of the Great Dubai Wheel.
www.greatwheel.com
This is the website of the owner and developer of the Great Dubai Wheel.
Video’s best in FULL screen:
VIDEO: Dubai wheel:
The Great Wheel Corporation is a company specializing in the development, building, financing and management of observation platforms and tourist observation wheels – also known as Ferris wheels.
Giant Wheels built by the company include the largest wheel in the world, the Singapore Flyer, and the company is currently building two larger wheels, the Beijing Great Wheel and the Great Berlin Wheel.
In 2006 the Dubai Municipality gave planning permission to the Great Dubai Wheel, which is expected to become one of the major attractions at Dubailand.
The 185m wheel will be taller than the London Eye and will cost over AED 250 million to construct.
Visitors to Dubailand will be able to view distances up to 50 km from the air conditioned comfort of one of 30 capsules.
The Great Dubai Wheel will be both built and managed by the Great Wheel Corporation with building expected to begin shortly, and open for business in 2009.
The engineering challenge to create the wheel has been undertaken by Hollandia, the specialist Dutch engineering company which also built the London Eye.
The master plan was prepared by a team of Great Wheel Corporation structural engineers with the support of the Dubailands team of project consultants.
Founded by Florien Bollen the current chairman, the developer company has branches in Singapore, London, Beijing, Orlando, and now Dubai – with its head office in Singapore.
Work has already commenced on the 185-metre Observation Wheel, one of Dubai land’s iconic tourist attractions, which will welcome its first visitors in early 2009 and provide a sweeping panoramic view of Dubai and its environs.
At the project launch on May 12 2005 Salem bin Dasmal, Dubailand CEO stated:
At the project launch on May 12 2005 Salem bin Dasmal, Dubailand CEO stated:
“We welcome the Great Wheel Corporation to Dubailand where we are building one of the world’s finest locations to live in, to have fun and to enjoy and celebrate the good things of life,"
We are creating unique wonders in partnership with the private sector from across the world. The Great Dubai Wheel is an example of this model cooperation and yet another addition of a world-class attraction to the ever increasing skyline of Dubai.
“I am confident that the Great Dubai Wheel will add a unique architectural landmark to the Dubai skyline, and enhance the Dubailand experience several times over.
“The Great Wheel Corporation has a proven track record in developing these remarkable attractions around the world, and I am glad Dubailand is the destination for their masterpiece in Dubai.”
The Great Dubai Wheel will be larger than the London Eye, which was recently voted the best tourist attraction in the world.
Located in a prime area of Dubailand, the Great Dubai Wheel would further enhance Dubai’s reputation as a leading world city, featuring unique iconic architectural structures.
In the course of the journey on the wheel, visitors will be able to view distances of up to 50km, and see most of the leading physical structures of Dubai.
In the course of the journey on the wheel, visitors will be able to view distances of up to 50km, and see most of the leading physical structures of Dubai.
The scheme's master plan was presented to Dubailand and Dubai Municipality by Great Wheel Corporation, the leading international company specialising in developing, financing, building and operating Great Wheels. Currently, the group is working on several sites around the world.
Leon Heijkoop, representative of the Great Wheel Corporation in Dubai stated: “Gaining the approval of Dubailand and Dubai Municipality is crucial to the development of the Great Dubai Wheel, and we are grateful to both for their unstinted support through every phase of the project to date.”
Heijkoop added that the master plan was prepared by a team of international experts with the support of Dubailand's project consultants.
Florian Bollen, Chairman of the Great Wheel Corporation, said:
“Evidence from destinations that already have the Great Wheel suggests that they are a very popular way of seeing the cityscape from a different perspective. The Great Dubai Wheel will be one of the most attractive locations in Dubai to visit - a place for families and friends, as well as for tourists to enjoy stunning views during a 30 minute fantastic experience.”
Leon Heijkoop, representative of the Great Wheel Corporation in Dubai stated: “Gaining the approval of Dubailand and Dubai Municipality is crucial to the development of the Great Dubai Wheel, and we are grateful to both for their unstinted support through every phase of the project to date.”
Heijkoop added that the master plan was prepared by a team of international experts with the support of Dubailand's project consultants.
Florian Bollen, Chairman of the Great Wheel Corporation, said:
“Evidence from destinations that already have the Great Wheel suggests that they are a very popular way of seeing the cityscape from a different perspective. The Great Dubai Wheel will be one of the most attractive locations in Dubai to visit - a place for families and friends, as well as for tourists to enjoy stunning views during a 30 minute fantastic experience.”
At 185 metres [610 ft], the Great Dubai Wheel is designed to exceed the height of the current largest Ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer, but smaller than the planned Beijing Great Wheel.
It is one 1 foot [0.30 m] higher than the proposed Great Berlin Wheel.
The estimated costs of building the wheel are AED 250 million [US$68 million].
It is one 1 foot [0.30 m] higher than the proposed Great Berlin Wheel.
The estimated costs of building the wheel are AED 250 million [US$68 million].
The 610 feet Great Dubai Wheel is expected to attract 2 million visitors each year to Dubailand and further boost the region's image as a tourist destination.
The Great Dubai Wheel is shown on this map just off Emirates Road above Arabian Ranches – mid left of image:
Being on Emirates Road means that it will have direct Dubai Metro blue line access – and although the blue line stations have not yet been announced a metro train station is most likely to be located directly outside the Great Dubai Wheel given its size and importance and the fact that the metro line will be running along Emirates Road.
Geographically the Great Dubai Wheel is located at the start of Dubailand directly linked to Dubai’s main highway Sheik Zayed Road – in the top end of Dubailand closest to the centre of the city of Dubai – so will be one of the most convenient of the Dubailand projects to travel to from Dubai city centre.
Regrettably this design was not preferred – it’s a much more exiting architectural structure and more Dubai like than the somewhat ordinary final design selected:
