London Eye Facts Quiz and Flashcards

Study Notes

Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye is a cantilevered observation wheel, standing at 135 meters (443 ft) tall.
It is the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in Europe and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK, attracting over three million visitors each year.
Opened in 2000, the Eye was the world's tallest Ferris wheel until 2022 when it was surpassed by the Sun of Moscow.
Other taller observation wheels include the Singapore Flyer, the High Roller in Las Vegas, and Ain Dubai, which stands at 250 meters (820 ft).
The Eye was the highest public viewing point in London until the observation deck of The Shard opened in 2013, rising at 245 meters (804 ft).
Nearest tube station is Waterloo; it is situated next to Jubilee Gardens and County Hall, between Westminster and Hungerford Bridges.

Completed in 1930, the Chrysler Building was the world's tallest skyscraper for 11 months, with a height of 319 meters.
Reflects the opulence and luxury of the Roaring Twenties, symbolizing capitalism and the American Dream.
Designed by architect William Van Allen, notable for its iconic Art Deco styling, including a secret spire design.
The building was the result of a rivalry between architects Craig Severance and William Van Allen, emphasizing competition in skyscraper construction.
The 1920s marked a transition of global prominence from London to New York City, with skyscrapers symbolizing this shift.

Designed by Minoru Yamasaki, the World Trade Center was a defining project of the 1960s, featuring two Towers with a focus on simplicity and functionality.
The towers rose to 110 stories using innovative design concepts like sky lobbies, significantly reducing elevator shaft requirements.
The construction cost was equivalent to 4.5 billion US dollars today, and the project was unique for being built by the government.

Trump Tower, completed in 1983, epitomized the extravagant real estate market of the decade, featuring a notable waterfall and luxurious interiors.
The construction faced controversy over the demolition of historic Bonwit Teller store and destruction of Art Deco sculptures.
The era was characterized by Reaganomics, with fluctuating real estate fortunes and cultural excess.

After the September 11 attacks, the skyscraper design landscape evolved, focusing on safety and preservation, such as seen in the construction of Hearst Tower in 2006.
The columnar grid pattern of Hearst Tower supports its unique architecture and reflects a merger of modern and historical design.
The 2010s witnessed a resurgence of construction in New York, with “Billionaires’ Row” emerging, showcasing ultra-luxury apartments and slender skyscrapers.
Rezoning of Midtown East in 2017 initiated plans for four new super-tall skyscrapers, contributing 11 million square feet of new real estate to the area.