Why the London Eye Was Almost Torn Down After Five Years (and How It Stayed)
When you hear "London Eye," you might think of iconic nighttime views, London New Year fireworks, or panoramic selfies. Few people remember that the wheel was only supposed to be here for five years. Yep—that's right. It nearly vanished.
Temporary by Design
When Marks Barfield Architects first proposed their design, it was for the Millennium Wheel, meant to mark the year 2000. The idea was novel, but the plan was for it to be temporary—much like the Eiffel Tower, which was also almost taken down after its debut. London’s skyline would get a fleeting glimpse of a giant wheel through 2005—after that, it was anyone’s guess.
In fact, the land lease and planning permission were only for five years. After that, it either had to be removed or re-approved.
A Turning Point: From Visitor Attraction to Sustained Landmark
By December 2001, organizers applied to Lambeth Council to make The Eye permanent—well before the five-year term ended. And by July 2002, approval came through; a new, longer-term arrangement was established.
Londoners’ reaction was overwhelmingly positive—the wheel had become part of the city’s identity almost overnight—and its removal wasn’t seriously considered.
A Rent Row That Could Have Ended It All
Just when things seemed secure, another threat emerged. In 2005, the Southbank Centre—which held part of the land rights—served a notice to quit and demanded the rent jump from £64,000 per year to £2.5 million. That could have sealed the attraction’s fate.
Mayor Ken Livingstone stepped in, promising to use the power of compulsory purchase if needed. The dispute ended with a 25-year lease agreement in 2006, where the Centre would receive a portion of turnover (minimum £500,000 annually). This deal gave The Eye stable footing and ensured its place on the Thames.
How It Survived—and Thrived
Of course, the London Eye became more than just a roundabout skyline accessory. It became London's most-visited paid attraction, drew millions annually, and became part of New Year’s celebrations.
Fast-forward to today, and it’s still going strong—more than 85 million passengers have stepped inside its capsules since opening. Without that 2002 council approval and the 2006 lease deal, we’d be looking at an empty patch of riverfront today.
How London Rewrites the Premise of “Temporary”
This isn't just about a Ferris wheel. It’s about how a “temporary” city installation—backed by engineering vision and public enthusiasm—can transform into tradition.
The Millennium Wheel wasn’t a fad; it became a fixture.
The architects nearly gave up after losing their Belgian construction partner, Mitsubishi. Delivering a project that effectively required three years’ work in 15 months took grit. Raising the wheel from horizontal on a floating platform—threading it under railway bridges—was an engineering miracle. By today’s health and safety standards, it might never have been allowed. But back then, it worked.
Why This London Story Still Matters
It teaches us adaptability: Temporary can become timeless when design meets context.
It reminds us of small decisions with huge impacts: The 2002 council approval and 2006 rent resolution didn’t just save a Ferris wheel—they reshaped London’s skyline.
It shows how engineering and politics dance: Urban projects aren’t built in vacuums; they survive with legal, financial, and political support.
Final Thoughts
Imagine London without the Eye. No panoramic views. No capsule selfies. No backdrop for millions of proposals and celebrations. By the time the five-year term rolled around, this might have been nothing more than a nostalgic footnote.
Instead, against the odds, The Eye became emblematic. A temporary structure forged by vision and grit—and extended into permanence by civic resolve and public love.
Next time you step into one of The Eye's capsules, remember how close it came to being dismantled. Share this story with a friend—because sometimes, London’s most beloved views almost never happened.
For more stories of how the city evolved through ideas, disputes, and midnight engineering, follow @Londonyaar—your guide to London’s hidden stories.