The London Eye was never meant to be a permanent fixture of the skyline

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Conceived by architects during a recession, the London Eye was originally intended as a temporary five-year attraction. Today, it is the United Kingdom's most popular paid tourist site, an iconic symbol of modern England that has hosted over 85 million passengers since its turn-of-the-millennium debut on the Thames.

Architects David Marks and Julia Barfield first imagined the wheel in 1993 for a Sunday Times competition. Despite the judges rejecting all entries, the couple persisted, even remortgaging their home to secure planning permission. The project was a massive international effort, with components sourced from six countries: steel from the UK and Netherlands, cables from Italy, bearings from Germany, a hub from the Czech Republic, and capsules from France.

Construction was an engineering feat, involving the assembly of sections on river barges before a slow, two-phase lift using a strand jack system. When it finally opened to the public in March 2000, it stood as the world's tallest Ferris wheel. Its design is unique; unlike traditional wheels, it is cantilevered, supported by an A-frame on only one side. This structure holds 32 capsules, each representing a London borough, rotating at a leisurely pace that allows passengers to board without the wheel stopping.

The Eye's journey to permanence was fraught with financial and legal hurdles. It faced a major rent dispute in 2005, which nearly led to a compulsory purchase order by the Mayor of London. Ownership eventually consolidated under Merlin Entertainments, resolving significant debts. Beyond its role as a tourist attraction, the Eye has become deeply embedded in London's identity, appearing in passports and serving as the centerpiece for New Year's Eve fireworks. It remains a testament to the architects' original vision of providing accessible, elevated views of the city for everyone, not just the elite.

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