Singapore Flyer

[jpatokal]

One "pointless but fun" project in Sing that hasn't cropped on 2Bangkok before -- the Singapore Flyer:

http://www.singaporeflyer.com.sg/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Flyer

Basically, it's a giant 165-meter ferris wheel along the lines of the London Eye. Scheduled to open in February 2008, it's been under construction for a while and is now starting to take shape, and darn, it's HUUUUUUGE (tallest in the world). Great location too, on a southern promontory near a future Circle Line MRT station with good views of the Central Business District's skyscrapers. An interesting if poor-quality stop-motion video of the construction:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/665343/construction_of_the_singapore_flyer_stop_motion_vi deo_v1_0/

[GWR]

Singapore Flyer beats London Eye to top of the world

Singapore (dpa) - Move over London Eye. The Singapore Flyer begins inaugural rides Monday on the 165-metre observation wheel, the world's highest.

More them 30 corporate customers have forked out 8,888 Singapore dollars (6,303 US dollars) for two rotations offering a 360-degree view of the city-state, parts of Malaysia, Indonesia and the sea all from the comfort of an air-conditioned capsule.

"Don't call it a ferris wheel," the Great World Corporation builders have urged enthusiasts, citing its gradual 30-minute rotation.

Each of the 28 capsules on the 240-million-Singapore dollar (170 million US dollar) attraction will host 26 guests for the inaugural spin reaching 30 metres higher than the London Eye.

Among the companies which have booked capsules are financial institutions including Credit Suisse, United Overseas Bank, Overseas Chinese Banking Corp. and ABN Amro. Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines have also booked capsules.

Chinese New Year festivities are included with activities aimed at securing good fortune and success taking place as each capsule reaches its peak.

The Flyer will be open to the public starting March 1.

The wheel was designed by Japanese architect Kishe Kurokawa and DP Architects, a Singapore form.

Another opportunity is Valentine's Day, when the attract is available to the romantically inclined who pay 399 Singapore dollars (282 US dollars) for one rotation.

Romantic music, champagne, chocolates and flowers are planned to enhance the capsule aura along with a video screen flashing romantic messages.

The Flyer is one of a spate of attractions Singapore is offering to boost its visitor arrivals. A Formula 1 Grand Prix, the first to be held at night, is scheduled for September.
(http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=19798#post19798)
Two multi-billion-dollar casino resorts are scheduled for completion in 2010, additionally diversifying the view from the giant wheel.

Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=125839

[GWR]

Sky-high in Singapore
By Vipasai Niyamabha
The Nation
Publication Date: 23-04-2008

http://www.asianewsnet.net/admin/doc_storage/article_gallery/20080423/16903.jpg
[Photo: ANN]
When you first spot it, you may be tempted to say “Wow! The London Eye has finally come to Singapore!” And your taxi driver may correct you, pointing out that this new toy belongs to the city-state and is called the Singapore Flyer. “I see, it’s not called the Singapore Eye, then?”

Actually I have to admit it is impressive to see such a record-setting Ferris wheel in Southeast Asia. The one month-old ride was the main attraction on my latest trip to Singapore.

Stand on Raffles Avenue in the Mariana Bay area, and the Singapore Flyer is the outstanding landmark. Towering 165 metres – the equivalent of a 45-storey building – it beats the London Eye as the tallest observation wheel in the world.

The Great Dubai Wheel is set to snatch the title away from Singapore later this year, before the city-state really gets a chance to crow about its premier perch. And in 2009, the Beijing Great Wheel will surpass them all.
Getting a ride on the Singapore Flyer isn’t as straightforward as a trip on its little brother in London, where you enter from ground level on the bank of the River Thames.

The Singapore wheel is housed in a three-storey mall with plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops. The entrance is surrounded by a rainforest-like central atrium and a concert space for live events.

The engineering and architectural core of the wheel has been designed with the number 28 as a theme. The Singapore Flyer has 28 air-conditioned capsules, each of them with room for 28 passengers.

Jasmine Yin, PR person for the new Ferris wheel, explains that Singaporeans believe 28 to be a lucky number – let’s hope the engineers agreed.

It is hard to imagine how such an elegant and delicatelooking structure can be responsible for lifting 16-tonne capsules to a height of 165 metres.

But that’s exactly what happens. And the ride is very smooth.

During a 30-minute trip, passengers get to drink in and photograph panoramic views of Marina Bay, the hedgehog of high-rise buildings across the bay, the Formula-One circuit as well as what will be the Marina Bay Sands casino, which is under construction. On a clear day, neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia can be spotted too.

Options are created by various different styles of rides, says Yin. An in-flight host can be arranged, with a selection of wines and champagnes, canapes and pastries.
A lot of Singaporeans seem satisfied with the view from the ground – not too many have taken the trip yet. But visitors file into the capsules all day long, from 8:30 in the morning to 10:30 at night. The most popular time for a ride is at sunset, when the last light of day fades and the neon city blinks into life.
Singapore Flyer is within walking distance of the Esplanade, Suntan Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre as well as all the luxury hotels in the Marina Bay area.

http://www.asianewsnet.net/visitasia.php?aid=16416

[jpatokal]

Most Singaporeans seem to think that the Flyer is badly overpriced and the views distinctly unremarkable and anecdotal evidence indicates that attendance has been well below expectations. No figures from the operators or negative publicity in the lapdog press, of course...

That said, the Flyer will have something to look at once the Marina Bay Sands is complete next year, and access will also improve once the Circle Line MRT opens.

[numpty]

its wheely expensive !!!

at the moment you get to look down on a construction site...not worth the 30 bucks at the moment