The Southern Star (observation wheel)

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Information
The Southern Star
Artist's impression of the Wheel once completed
Location	Melbourne Docklands
Status	Under Construction
Opening	November 2008
Use	Observation wheel
Height
Roof	120 metres (394 ft)
Technical details
Cost	A$100 million
Companies
Architect	Sanoyas Hishino Meisho
Developer	Alfasi Group
Owner	ING Real Estate

The Southern Star is an observation wheel under construction for the Waterfront City precinct at Docklands in Melbourne, Australia.

The 120 metre (394 ft) high observation wheel is similar in concept to, but will not be as high as the London Eye which is 135 metres (443 ft) high. ^[1] Its height is perhaps best gauged in relation to the nearby Bolte Bridge which has two 140 metre (459 ft) high towers.

When completed, the structure will have 1250 tonnes of steel and 3.7 kilometers of LED lighting. The observation wheel will have 21 air-conditioned glass enclosed capsules measuring 5.7 metres in length and 3.7 metres in height. Each capsule can accommodate up to 20 passengers and will have extensive views of the city and Port Phillip Bay and as far as Geelong. ^[2] The developer forecasts that the observation wheel will attract 1.5 million visitors each year.

The project, being undertaken by ING Real Estate is expected to cost $100 million. The project is expected to be complete in November 2008.^[3]

This project has been assigned to the Alfasi Group. The 21 passenger pods were manufactured by Sanoyas Hishino Meisho in Osaka, Japan. The supporting steel columns were manufactured in Tasmania and the wheel structure was manufactured in the Dandenongs. As of March 1, 2008 the outer ring or the wheel has been completed. The passenger pods arrived onsite on the 10 June 2008 for installation.