Westminster’s infamous London Eye makes its way to a new home.
Skylines are iconic. They give a city its identity and character. They can be often taken for granted as well. A times, changes to them can be controversial. Other times tragic. If the course remains, in a little more than three years, London’s skyline can change
The banks of the Thames are adorned with many London staples even the least travelled among us know: Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, The Towner of London and in recent years, the grand Ferris Wheel like structure known as the London Eye, directly across the banks of the Thames from the Parliament itself. You can wave at Big Ben from there.
The London Eye shares the venerable distinction of being Europe’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel. It stands around 135 meters or 444 feet, making it taller than Gorgo or any other kaiju that has ever ravaged London in cinema. Until very recently, in 2022, it was also the world’s tallest observation wheel.
It was ceremoniously opened in 1999, but did not start taking passengers until March 2000, giving it the other alias of the Millennium Wheel. It changed the London skyline, with a mix of controversy t some elements of the public, planning and zoning councils and the Lambeth Council. It lasted longer than its original five-year lease for long, until it was extended to 2028. As of now, that lease and approvals have not been renewed. I’ve only known London as a millennial, so this is a tectonic shift in the skyline if it is dismantled.
In the evenings, The London Eye is illuminated in bright colors that can symbolize certain social causes, cultural celebrations, national holidays, and historic events. The trip in the observation wheel lasts around 35 minutes or so, give or take. Aside from the Shard, it is the highest view in the entire city.
Two of my favorite personal moments at or near the London Eye were celebrating a USA v. England draw at the 2022 World Cup, and I adorned in my USA Jersey. This was admittedly a time I was jokingly the obnoxious Yank. And the other, Christmas week before a travel to Japan. It was the only time went on the ride.
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