Ferris wheels help keep our inner child alive, which is probably why the world fancies them so much. With every new version, they get bigger and better. The latest is the world’s highest spokeless Ferris wheel in Sangam World Cup Park, Seoul. This incredible creation is the work of UNStudio in collaboration with Arup and Heerim Architects. The 600-foot attraction will make the UK’s London Eye seem minuscule in comparison and will carry double the number of passengers, accommodating 1,400 people at once.
The Seoul Twin Eye, as it is called, is a spokeless Ferris wheel with two intersecting rings. These rings carry the passenger pods that revolve around inside and outside tracks, creating two distinct rides for passengers to experience. A total of 64 capsules are attached to the Seoul Twin Eye, each accommodating 25 people. This man-made marvel will sit on a 131-foot-high podium, poised to become a cultural hub connected to the World Cup Stadium. From exhibition spaces to performance halls, retail stores, restaurants, and cafes, the space will be buzzing with activity and merriment, much like the attraction above.
To make the experience easily accessible and thoroughly enjoyable, the Seoul Twin Eye will be connected to nearby public transportation by a monorail, which will also be a brainchild of UNStudio, in addition to offering an exciting zip-line experience. Ben van Berkel, founder and principal architect of UNStudio, commented, “Located in the heart of the city, this spokeless design references Korea’s boundless ambition for innovation and spirit of progress, seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with a timeless appreciation for stability and beauty.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government had also revealed plans for another spokeless Ferris wheel called the Seoul Ring, inspired by a wedding band. It boasted similarities to the Seoul Twin Eye, with ambitions to be the world’s tallest spokeless Ferris wheel along the Han River. Ain Dubai, the largest observation wheel worldwide till last year, was gigantic at 800 feet, with 48 luxurious cabins capable of carrying 1,750 people. The $275 million attraction closed mysteriously After an agonizing 8-year wait for its launch. This makes the Seoul Twin Eye the highest in the world at 600 feet. The plan to develop cultural spaces along the Han River will be put into action in 2025, with the attraction set to open in 2028.
