Is a giant harbor side ferris wheel really Hong Kong’s next big thing?
The government is going ahead with the construction of a giant ferris wheel on the Central waterfront.
According to a tender document published by the Lands Department, the ferris wheel will be located in front of piers 9 and 10 and should be at least 50 meters in diameter.
The project site is about 9,620 square meters.
According to the tender document, the tenderer should have at least 10 years’ experience and the minimum construction time is set at 12 months.
The deadline for submitting tenders is noon on December 14.
Other criteria for selecting the tender include promotion strategy, fares, the ability to enhance the waterfront and fire and security measures. Tenders should include a monthly rent proposal.
The contract will be short-term at three years with quarterly extensions.
The proposal to build the ferris wheel was submitted in August to the Harbourfront Commission by The Hall Organization and Great City Attractions Global, a British-based company, the people behind the Singapore Flyer.
“The wheel will definitely become a focal point of the harbor, offering postcard photo opportunities,” the operators claim.
“It will attract people to the harborfront and can promote vibrancy both day and night.”
The maximum capacity of riders in one day is up to 10,000, although it estimated that about 2,000 people will ride on weekdays and 4,000 on holidays and weekends.
Each ride could last 10 to 15 minutes, with a fare of about HK$100.
Its proposed ferris wheel could be set up in 10 to 14 days and removed in seven to 10 days. The firm said the operation would not cause great noise.
The proposal also said the entire installation and transportation would cost about HK$95 million, with an annual operation cost of about HK$10 million.
And some 75 to 100 people would be hired in Hong Kong.
