Timeline

Staten Island’s would-be Eiffel Tower

But might be one day?

The circle of life of a Staten Island tourist attraction.

it was going to be Staten Island’s answer to the Eiffel Tower. An observation wheel at 630 feet, the tallest in the world, was going to be constructed on the borough’s waterfront, capturing millions of ferry tourists’ dollars with its stunning skyline view. With the blessing of thenMayor Michael Bloomberg, a team of developers planned to make it happen, but ballooning construction costs, lawsuits, and a lack of support from a new mayor proved too much. In October 2018, the project was killed, with only an unsightly concrete parking garage and a barren plot of land hosting the wheel’s pedestals to show for it. But wheel watchers may be in luck: Recently, talks have been renewed by New York City Economic Development Corporation, rekindling hope for its completion in some form.