In the Eye of the engineers
The London Eye is the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in the world and one of the most complex engineering projects in modern history.
Coca Cola London Eye Project summary
Client
Millennium Wheel Company
Project value
£75m
Key partners
Mark Barfield, T Clarke plc, Hollandia BV
Services provided
Construct, Construction management, Project and programme management, Consult, Specialist services
Sectors
Locations
UK and Europe, UK - London and south-east England
Project timeline
- Start date
- August 1998
- End date
- August 2000
Project story
The wheel was constructed to a demanding and complex schedule where we coordinated multiple work packages and developed unique and innovative solutions to create significant savings in time and cost.
This included the assembly of the wheel on temporary platforms constructed in the River Thames from which they were hoisted into place during a 17 hour, two stage lift. Off-site manufacturing for the 32 passenger capsules, which were designed and fabricated in France, transported by road and then brought up the river by barge to the site, also created significant efficiencies.
The Eye has won more than 75 awards for national and international tourism, outstanding architectural quality and engineering achievement. Many of the techniques had not been attempted before and the technology was therefore unproven.
The project is still described as an ‘engineering triumph’ and has raised the profile of construction engineers with the general public.
Project stats
Image Gallery
“It was a pleasure to be able to be part of the London Eye project and we are still very proud of our achievement to this day.”
