At over 250 metres high, it will be able to carry up to 1,400 passengers at a time within 48 double-glazed pods…

It’s the jewel in the crown of the new Bluewaters island off JBR, and Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel, is set to be completed next year.

According to a statement from developer Meraas, Ain Dubai will be completed in time for Expo 2020 celebrations.

At over 250 metres high, Ain Dubai will become the world’s tallest observation wheel when it opens in 2020, and will be able to carry up to 1,400 passengers at a time across 48 double-glazed capsules.

Some of these capsules will be private ‘fine-dining’ pods that seat up to 12 guests, so you’ll be able to rent one out for a special occasion. Six of the capsules will also have a licensed bar (we’re guessing it will become THE spot for sundowners in JBR).

Ain Dubai will stand at almost 100 metres taller than the world’s second tallest observation wheel – the 167 metre-tall High Roller in Las Vegas, and more than 115 metres taller than the London Eye, which stands at 135 metres tall. Fun fact – it will also be 200 per cent taller than the first ever ferris wheel.

After the full outer shell of the wheel was completed in 2018, developer Meraas has been slowly removing the 450-tonne temporary spokes. The eighth and final one has now been removed, and the last of the permanent spokes installed. Progress on the project ‘continues unabated’, the statement read.

With the removal of the final temporary steel spoke, the weight of the wheel rim has been entirely transferred to 192 spoke cables, which ensure the structural integrity of Ain Dubai through the process of permanent compression.

Ain Dubai in Numbers:

  • 5 tonnes: The he weight of each permanent spoke cable that holds the wheel rim in place
  • 1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional football pitch
  • 2,400: distance in kilometres of all the cable wires housed inside the spoke cables if they were joined end to end. That’s the same distance as Dubai to Cairo.
  • 16 Airbus A380s: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim
  • 126: length in meters of the legs that support the structure
  • 15: London buses can fit inside each leg
  • 9,000: tonnes of steel used in the construction of Ain Dubai

Bluewaters is already home to two Caesars Palace hotels, beach club Cove Beach, and a host of brilliant bars and restaurants such as Hell’s Kitchen, Alici and The London Project.

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