Ain Dubai Observation Wheel
Ain Dubai Observation Wheel Overview
The giant observation wheel Ain Dubai, previously known as "Dubai-I", has been constructed on Bluewaters Island by Meeras Holding. At a height of over 250 metres it is the world's largest Ferris wheel, 83 metres taller than the High Roller in Las Vegas and 115 metres taller than the London Eye.
The name 'Ain', which means 'eye' in Arabic, was given to the project because it provides visitors with a bird's eye view of Dubai's skyline.
Around the rim of the wheel there are 48 luxury capsules capable of holding 1,400 visitors who are able to look out over Dubai's iconic landmarks such as Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa.
5 tonnes: the weight of each permanent spoke cable that holds the wheel rim in place.
1 football pitch: length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional football pitch.
2,400 kilometres: distance of all the cable wires housed inside the spoke cables if they were joined end to end, equal to the distance from Dubai to Cairo.
16 Airbus A380s: the equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
250+ metres: height of Ain Dubai, making it the world’s tallest observation wheel.
167 metres: height of world’s second tallest observation wheel – the High Roller in Las Vegas.
135 metres: height of world’s third tallest observation wheel – the London Eye.
126 metres: length of the legs that support the structure.
15 London buses can fit inside each leg.
25% more steel used in to construct Ain Dubai than iron was used on The Eiffel Tower.
9,000 tonnes of steel used in the construction of Ain Dubai.
- The project was launched in 2013.
- The estimated handover date was 2017 which was later revised to 2020.
- The project was completed by August 2021.
- The project was developed by Meraas Holding.
- The architect of the project was Snohetta.
- Other companies involved with Ain Dubai Observation Wheel include POMA, Hyundai Engineering & Construction and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff.
- From Ain Dubai Observation Wheel it takes roughly 21 minutes to drive to Dubai Mall, 13 minutes to Palm Jumeirah, 18 minutes to Burj Al Arab and 15 minutes to The Walk JBR.
- Dubai International Airport (DXB) is roughly 29 minutes' drive and the new Al Maktoum International Airport is roughly 32 minutes' drive. All durations are calculated by Google Maps and assume the fastest route in typical traffic conditions.
Ain Dubai Observation Wheel Dining and Nightlife Offers
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Construction History
The 6.25-metre diameter spindle is made of steel, similar to that used for nuclear plants. It was manufactured and assembled in the UAE and shipped to Bluewaters Island since it could not be transported on land.
The assembled hub and spindle is approximately 40 metres long and 20 metres high and weighs a massive 1,805 tonnes, equivalent to four A380 aircraft. It was lifted into place on top of the 126 metre-high legs at the end of May 2016 by two of the world's largest cranes, each comprising a 180 metre-long boom and capable of lifting loads of over 3,000 tonnes each.
The process of welding the spindle's A-frames to the four legs took approximately four weeks with the cranes continuing to support the weight of the unit for the first two weeks of the operation.
During construction the rim of the wheel was supported by temporary steel braces weighing over 5,000 tonnes. These have been removednow that the outer rim has been connected to the hub via 192 permanent spoke cables so that it now resembles a gigantic bicycle wheel.
The original completion date was the end of 2018, but was missed. In April 2019 Meraas confirmed that Ain Dubai will be completed in time for the Expo 2020 Dubai celebrations.
Ain Dubai Observation Wheel in the News
ME Construction News, 10th Oct 2021
Dubai Media Office, 24th Aug 2021
Nearby Attractions
Design Stage
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