Ain Dubai (Arabic: عين دبي; lit. 'eye of Dubai') is a very large Ferris wheel located at Bluewaters Island in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since its opening in October 2021, it is the world's tallest giant observation wheel, at a height of 250 m (820 ft). It has been closed to the public since March 2022.
| Ain Dubai | |
|---|---|
عين دبي | |
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Observation wheel |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| Location | Bluewaters Island |
| Town or city | Dubai |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Coordinates | 25°04′48.4″N 55°07′26.6″E / 25.080111°N 55.124056°E |
| Construction started | May 2015 |
| Completed | 2021 |
| Opened | 21 October 2021 |
| Closed | March 2022 |
| Height | 250 metres (820 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Metal |
| Design and construction | |
| Engineer | Hyundai Engineering & Construction; Starneth Engineering |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 1750 |
| Website | |
| aindubai | |
History
editAin Dubai was previously named the Dubai Eye or Dubai-I.[1][2] It was announced in February 2013.[3]
Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Starneth Engineering were appointed as the primary design and construction contractors,[3][4] together with KCI, the engineers who designed and engineered the complete wheel structure including the installation engineering. Construction began in May 2015,[5] anticipating completion in early to mid-2019. Further delays pushed the target opening to 20 October 2020, in order to coincide with Expo 2020,[6] but this itself was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The wheel opened a year later on 21 October 2021.[7]
Ain Dubai is 82.4 m (270 ft) taller than the previous world's tallest observation wheel, the 167.6 m (550 ft) High Roller, which opened in Las Vegas in March 2014.[8]
The wheel is designed to carry up to 1,750 passengers[9] in 48 cabins and to provide views of Dubai Marina and landmarks such as Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and Burj Khalifa.[10]
Ain Dubai ceased being operational starting in March 2022 for "periodic enhancements".[11] In April 2023, the operators announced that the Ain Dubai would remain "closed indefinitely", without any further explanation. The axle of the wheel was at that time surrounded by scaffolding, and the German TÜV Association, which was involved in the Ain's construction, withdrew its safety certification for the structure. However, as of July 2023[update] the LED displays on the structure continue to be illuminated at night and are visible from miles away.[12]
In April 2024, Ain Dubai was seen to be in operation, however it still remains closed to the public with no official opening date.[13]
Ain Dubai was spotted rotating several times between April and September 2024 with last movement noticed on 17 September 2024 during night with lights off amid speculations of reopening shortly after this Summer season.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Dubai's Meraas eyes $234m loan for Ferris wheel scheme". Arabian Business. Reuters. 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015.
- ^ "Ain Dubai is the new name for Dubai-I – update". Time Out Dubai. 11 July 2016. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023.
- ^ a b Lemire, Jonathan; Walsh, Michael (11 April 2020). "Dubai plans to outdo Staten Island in race for world's biggest Ferris wheel". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "Dubai eyes world's tallest Ferris wheel". CNN. 15 February 2013. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ Davids, Gavin (1 June 2015). "First leg of Dubai Eye big wheel lifted into place". Middle East Construction News. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "Hyundai E&C awards Ain Dubai EPCI subcontract to France's Poma". Construction Week Online. 7 June 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ Browning, Oliver (22 October 2021). "Dubai Eye: World's largest ferris wheel opens with spectacular drone and fireworks show". The Independent. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Trejos, Nancy (31 March 2014). "Sneak peek: World's tallest Ferris wheel opens in Vegas". USA Today. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "Record-breaking ferris wheel opens in Dubai". BBC News. 23 October 2021. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Dh6b tourism project in Dubai unveiled". Gulf News. 13 February 2013. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
- ^ "Ain Dubai to remain closed until further notice". Arabian Business. 5 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ Rohan, Brian (9 July 2023). "The mystery of the Ain Dubai, the world's largest (broken) Ferris wheel". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ White, Tamara (3 April 2024). "Video: It looks like Ain Dubai could be reopening". What's On.
External links
edit
Media related to Ain Dubai at Wikimedia Commons
