The ‘Whey Aye’ wheel
A developer has revealed plans to build what would be Europe’s tallest observation wheel on Newcastle Quayside, as part of a £100m project.
The 140m-high wheel, dubbed the ‘Whey Aye’ in honour of its location, would be 5m taller than the London Eye, according to World Wheel Company.
Designed by architect Concept I, it would sit among within the ‘Giants of the Quayside’ development, for which a destination food and beverage experience called the Giant’s Quay would also be created.
If it gets the green light, the development would include a family entertainment centre filled with trampolines, climbing walls, a skywalk and a separate café, as well as a multi-purpose play and sports complex, and a virtual golf club.
Phase one of the development would feature a 700 sq m LED digital screen on the façade of the visitor centre at the base of the Whey Aye.
Phase two, subject to a media licence, would see a 10,000 sq m LED digital screen added to the wheel.
The development would cover a total of 32,000 sq m and is expected to take 18 to 24 months to build.
A detailed planning application relating to the observation wheel and the Giants on the Quayside development is due to be submitted to Newcastle City Council by the developer later this year.
