Newport’s Riverboat Row is about to get taller by more than 235 feet with the addition of a pier and the SkyWheel®, as officials announced Friday that the anticipated SkyWheel® project will break ground in September 2019 at Newport on the Levee.
Final terms between the City of Newport and SkyWheel Attractions, along with the Newport Aquarium and Newport on the Levee ownership will bring the privately funded SkyWheel® to Newport.
In fact, Newport’s SkyWheel® has already been manufactured and tested in the Netherlands, and is currently stored in shipping crates, ready to be shipped to the site.
Representatives say the wheel should open a short 2 months after the completion of construction of the pier, slated to be complete in March of 2020.
The SkyWheel® in Newport will be a modern observation wheel towering 235 feet in the air, or more than 20 stories high. The SkyWheel® will have 30 fully enclosed gondolas that will offer a safe and secure flight with glass windows and doors for optimal views and photography.
The gondolas are heated and cooled allowing for year-round operation in any type of weather. Guests board a private gondola and enjoy three to four revolutions. Each gondola can hold up to 6 riders.
“The SkyWheel® is unique in its ability to bring together groups and families of different backgrounds, ages, and interests to share a memorable experience,” said Matt Stack, President of SkyWheel Attractions. The SkyWheel® will be accessible for all mobility aids.
Since the first attraction opened in Myrtle Beach, SkyWheels offer a breadth of stunning views of waterfronts including Niagara Falls and Panama City Beach.
“Like with the first SkyWheel® on the coast of Myrtle Beach, we chose Newport, KY, because of its unparalleled views of the Ohio River and Cincinnati’s skyline,” Stack added.
Newport on the Levee is also undergoing a transformation, with construction underway to make way for new entertainment, restaurant and retail tenants.
