Bath is to get its own version of the London Eye offering “unrivalled aerial views” across the UNESCO World Heritage city.
The attraction – called AquEye – is a revolving glass observation pod suspended between two slim, carbon fibre masts rising to a height of 65m, just under half the size of the Millennium Wheel on Waterloo’s South Bank.
Bath’s version will be built on Pulteney Weir Island, just below Bath's famous 18th century Pulteney Bridge that crosses the River Avon, and is designed by the award-winning architect Nicholas Stubbs. It is set to open in the spring or summer of 2017.
The glass capsule will fit up to 25 passengers from Parade Gardens' riverside lawn and take just 20 seconds to reach its full height overlooking Bath’s Georgian rooftops, the Abbey, rugby stadium and the seven hills surrounding the city. The full ride will last 20 minutes.
Mr Stubbs said: “AquEye will be a global first for Bath and its hi-tech, low-profile design has been created specifically for heritage locations. Having worked as an architect in Bath for over 25 years I well understand the sensitivities of this World Heritage city. Although brilliant, I could not see the London Eye working here. AquEye will lift people high enough to enjoy and interpret the city from above, but will be low profile enough to preserve Bath's traditional views.”
