As part The Next Fifty–Seattle 2012, Seattle Center’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair that brought us the Space Needle, the Center will be building a 200-foot observation wheel on the grounds.
The wheel, which will be located in Center Square, is set to open on April 21, 2011, “in recognition of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair opening date,” according to the Center. It will operate through the conclusion of The Next Fifty anniversary celebration in October 2012.
The elegant and technologically advanced giant wheel harkens back to the World’s Fair and nods to a future vision for Seattle’s central gathering place. The wheel’s fully enclosed and climate controlled capsules will hold up to eight passengers and provide 360 degree panoramic views of Seattle Center and the surrounding areas.
Just to give some perspective, the 200-foot wheel will be a little less than half the size of the London Eye, the world’s largest and most well-known observation wheel, which is 135 meters (just shy of 443 feet) high.