SkyWheel (Myrtle Beach)
Encyclopedia
SkyWheel is a 187 feet Ferris wheel
in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
, which opened May 20, 2011.
It is the tallest Ferris wheel
in the United States east of the Mississippi River
.
SkyWheel is similar in design to the Niagara SkyWheel on Canada
's side of Niagara Falls
. It has "42 glass-enclosed, temperature controlled gondolas
" described as "ballooned-out square", each with seating for six to eight passengers. Unrelated people will not be required to sit together. The wheel will operate year-round.
City manager Tom Leath said, "It's big enough to be an iconic feature for the city."
, which has its northern end near the site, next to Plyler Park.
Architect James Hubbard, AIA a Principal with Pegram Associates, Inc. designed the site, which includes a 5400 square feet (501.7 m²) building with a restaurant
, gift shop and the ticket booth. The Golden Villas motel was torn down and an alley
was moved.
The September 8, 2010 meeting of the Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Corporation included a discussion of SkyWheel. TLC
planned a show about the wheel's construction, and a camera was positioned above the site at the Slingshot reverse bungee
attraction across Ocean Boulevard
. Al Mers, a Pacific Development partner, said later in the month that the steel
frame is being built outside St. Louis, while the gondolas are being made in Switzerland
. The wheel will go on a deck 20 feet (6.1 m) above sea level to protect it from possible hurricane storm surge
. Construction of the building started in December, while the wheel's frame began work on February 23. Land Shark Bar & Grille opened the same day as SkyWheel, the third restaurant in the city connected with Jimmy Buffett
. The others are Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
at Broadway at the Beach
and Cheeseburger in Paradise on the city's north end.
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
, which opened May 20, 2011.
It is the tallest Ferris wheel
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
in the United States east of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
Design
SkyWheel is a Ronald Bussink Professional Rides designed R60 Giant Wheel, and was manufactured by Chance Morgan.SkyWheel is similar in design to the Niagara SkyWheel on Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's side of Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfalls in the world and has...
. It has "42 glass-enclosed, temperature controlled gondolas
Gondola (disambiguation)
A gondola is a traditional Venetian rowing boat, best known today for transporting tourists.Gondola may also refer to:-Fixed structures:...
" described as "ballooned-out square", each with seating for six to eight passengers. Unrelated people will not be required to sit together. The wheel will operate year-round.
City manager Tom Leath said, "It's big enough to be an iconic feature for the city."
Location
St. Louis-based developer Koch Development Company and Pacific Development had been looking for a site for a ferris wheel; they chose Myrtle Beach because of its new boardwalkMyrtle Beach Boardwalk
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, officially opened in May 2010 at a cost of nearly $6.4 million and runs along the oceanfront from the Pier 14 at 14th Avenue North to the 2nd Avenue Pier at 2nd Avenue North...
, which has its northern end near the site, next to Plyler Park.
Architect James Hubbard, AIA a Principal with Pegram Associates, Inc. designed the site, which includes a 5400 square feet (501.7 m²) building with a restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
, gift shop and the ticket booth. The Golden Villas motel was torn down and an alley
Alley
An alley or alleyway is a narrow lane found in urban areas, often for pedestrians only, which usually runs between or behind buildings. In older cities and towns in Europe, alleys are often what is left of a medieval street network, or a right of way or ancient footpath in an urban setting...
was moved.
The September 8, 2010 meeting of the Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Corporation included a discussion of SkyWheel. TLC
TLC (TV channel)
TLC is an American cable TV specialty channel which initially focused on educational content. Since 1991 TLC has been owned by Discovery Communications, the same company that operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks...
planned a show about the wheel's construction, and a camera was positioned above the site at the Slingshot reverse bungee
Bungee jumping
Bungee jumping is an activity that involves jumping from a tall structure while connected to a large elastic cord. The tall structure is usually a fixed object, such as a building, bridge or crane; but it is also possible to jump from a movable object, such as a hot-air-balloon or helicopter, that...
attraction across Ocean Boulevard
South Carolina Highway 73
South Carolina Highway 73 was a highway running along the Atlantic coast in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.- Route description :...
. Al Mers, a Pacific Development partner, said later in the month that the steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
frame is being built outside St. Louis, while the gondolas are being made in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. The wheel will go on a deck 20 feet (6.1 m) above sea level to protect it from possible hurricane storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
. Construction of the building started in December, while the wheel's frame began work on February 23. Land Shark Bar & Grille opened the same day as SkyWheel, the third restaurant in the city connected with Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
. The others are Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is the name of a United States-based casual dining American restaurant chain and a chain of stores selling Jimmy Buffett-themed merchandise...
at Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is a shopping center located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since its inception in 1996, it has grown to be one of Myrtle Beach's premier shopping destinations. Broadway at the Beach is owned and operated by Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc...
and Cheeseburger in Paradise on the city's north end.
