Staten Island Ferris Wheel Back From the Dead

With much of the infrastructure for the failed, 630-foot Ferris wheel project partially in place, investors are looking for ways to bring the New York Wheel back to life.

1 minute read

July 12, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


London, England

The original concept for the New York Wheel was inspired by the London Eye. | QQ7 / Shutterstock

New York Wheel investors are reportedly looking to bring a smaller version of the previously failed New York Wheel to the same St. George neighborhood in Staten Island, according to an article by Jonathan Hilburg.

The New York Wheel originated during the Bloomberg administration, proposing a world-record-setting 630 feet in height. The project died in 2018 after starting construction in 2015, as costs ballooned beyond $1 billion. 

From the ashes of that failure, however, a new version of the project might rise, according to Hilburg:

With much of the foundational work already in place, and with the surrounding development across the 8-acre site still ongoing, New York Wheel LLC was forced to auction off the already-manufactured components of the wheel in January 2019. However, the developer is still paying rent and maintaining security on the city-owned lot.

Hilburg is picking up on news originally reported behind a paywall at Advance/SILive.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020 in The Architect's Newspaper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

Conductor walks down platform next to Amtrak train at station in San Jose, California.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement

An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

47 seconds ago - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of flooding during Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls

The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.

1 hour ago - NC Newsline

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.