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Largest Ferris wheel in the world rises off Jumeirah

Dubai - Once finished, Ain Dubai is expected to be one of the emirate's most iconic destinations, offering visitors a 360-degree view of the city and its coastline

Residents can now get an eyeful of the next world-record breaking Dubai wonder that's coming up, set to add another feature in the emirate's skyline. Driving down Sheikh Zayed road and from the Dubai Marina, you can see the rim of what's soon-to-be the largest Ferris wheel in the world - according to Meraas.
The fifth of eight 108-metre sections of Ain Dubai has been installed. The wheel rim is now clearly visible at Bluewaters, where the landmark is being assembled. Once finished, Ain Dubai is expected to be one of the emirate's most iconic destinations, offering visitors a 360-degree view of the city and its coastline.
"Ain Dubai reflects our ambition of creating new destinations that contribute to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, vision of a city where people are encouraged to create, explore and enjoy. It embodies the pioneering and innovative nature of a city that has pushed the boundaries of modern engineering," Abdulla Al Habbai, group chairman at Meraas, said.
At over 210 metres tall, Ain Dubai will eclipse the 167-metre High Roller in Las Vegas and the 190-metre New York Wheel planned for Staten Island, in New York City.
Its hub and spindle were set in place last year and the final structure will include around 9,000 tonnes of steel, almost 25 per cent more than the amount of iron used to construct the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Circle of thrills
"The assembly of the rim at Bluewaters is one of the most exciting phases in the construction of Ain Dubai, as it marks the arrival of the centrepiece of the island and another addition to Dubai's impressive skyline - one that creates a new meeting point for the city and economy," said Omar Delawar, Chief Projects Officer at Meraas.
"With the first five sections of the wheel rim already connected to the hub, two winch devices have been fitted to rotate the wheel in a way that will allow Ain Dubai to receive the sixth, and subsequent sections of the wheel rim. Each rim section weighs roughly the same as two Airbus A380 aircraft and must be rested on five temporary support structures connected to the hub, as well as two 115-metre spokes".
The wheel rim sections are connected to the hub and spindle by a total of 192 heavy-duty cables, each of which is comprised of over a hundred separate wires that are pre-tensioned with up to 300 tonnes of force. These cables will eventually support the combined 7,500 tonne weight of the rim and its capsules.
All eight sections of the rim have been manufactured using the highest-grade German and Korean steel and individually shipped to Dubai by barge. They are being manoeuvred into position in a complex operation by a team of engineers and technicians, using cranes with a lifting capacity of 3,000 tonnes.
Comforts of the ride
With construction of the wheel rim well underway, Al Habbai led a delegation to Switzerland, where Ain Dubai's 48 high-tech passenger capsules are being manufactured by Swiss Rides on behalf of the project's main contractor, Hyundai.
The 30-square-metre double-glazed capsules is designed to comfortably accommodate 40 passengers each and are clad in high-quality glass with ultraviolet and infrared protection like the glassmaking technology used to produce military aircraft canopies.
Interiors will be finished with stone flooring and Corian® benches. Capsules will have the flexibility to be converted into fine dining destinations for up to 12 guests, while six Premium Capsules will also offer an upscale service with a licensed lounge for a unique new culinary experience.
Smart climate control will also ensure a comfortable ride, whilst LED screens will offer information about the spectacular views on offer. Two motors, located under the floor of the capsules, will ensure stability and a smooth ride as the wheel rotates. Capsules are expected to be installed in 2018.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
 

FERRIS WHEEL FIGURES

ROTATING LUXURY