What was meant to be a temporary attraction for the new millennium has become an enduring symbol of London. The London Eye, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, remains one of the city's most iconic landmarks, offering breathtaking views to millions of visitors each year.
"I never imagined it would still be here 25 years later!" From inside one of the London Eye’s capsules, its architect reflects on the giant wheel’s remarkable journey as it celebrates a quarter of a century as one of the city’s most famous attractions.
British architect Julia Barfield, alongside her late husband David Marks, designed this towering structure, which was installed on the south bank of the River Thames on March 9, 2000. Originally intended as a temporary five-year installation to mark the new millennium, it has since become a permanent fixture in London’s skyline.
Today, the 135-meter-tall wheel is more than just a tourist attraction—it’s an emblem of the city. Its distinctive silhouette appears on countless souvenirs, inspires street artists, and features in millions of selfies.
"Our main goal," explains Julia Barfield to AFP, "was to offer a breathtaking perspective of London." She is thrilled that, 25 years on, people continue to board the Eye, "to celebrate the city, which was always the heart of the project."
Despite its price—£42 (around €50) for a standard ticket bought on-site—the London Eye remains one of the UK’s most visited paid attractions. Every year, around 3.5 million tourists take the 30-minute ride, soaking in panoramic views of the capital.
"It was amazing," says Leonardo Manuel, a 13-year-old tourist from Peru visiting Europe with his family for the first time. "Coming to London was one of my dreams. We got to see the entire city, slowly, taking the time to admire it," he adds.
"Wow!"—An Architectural Marvel
With 32 capsules, each representing one of London’s boroughs and capable of holding up to 25 people, the London Eye is a marvel of engineering. "The idea was to inspire awe," explains Julia Barfield. "We wanted people to look at it and ask, ‘Wow, how did they build that?’"
However, the journey to making this vision a reality was not without setbacks.
Initially, the project was rejected in a competition for a new millennium landmark in London. Undeterred, Barfield and Marks spent years tirelessly securing funding for their ambitious design.
Constructing such an unconventional structure required groundbreaking innovations in both materials and engineering. The capsules' curved glass was specially sourced from Venice, while various components were transported via the River Thames.
The assembly process itself was an engineering challenge. Workers had to construct the wheel over water, using techniques adapted from North Sea oil rig installations. The wheel was painstakingly raised to its final position—twice. The first attempt failed when the cables snapped under the structure’s immense weight.
Even after completion, technical issues delayed the grand opening, forcing the public to wait several months before taking their first ride on the so-called "Millennium Wheel."
The London Eye was part of a wave of architectural projects marking the dawn of a new era in the UK’s capital, alongside the Millennium Dome, the Millennium Bridge, and Tate Modern.
In the year 2000, when Londoners were bracing for the Y2K bug and Britney Spears' Baby One More Time topped the charts, the London Eye stood as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. Though since surpassed by others, including Dubai’s Ain Dubai, it remains one of the most recognizable and beloved landmarks in the world.
With AFP
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