Largest Ferris wheel in Latin America opens in São Paulo

Starting today (9), anyone passing through Marginal Pinheiros will be surprised by the unmistakable appearance of the newest Ferris wheel in the city of São Paulo . Approximately 90 meters high, it is considered the largest cable-stayed Ferris wheel in Latin America. , the Roda Rico, as it was named, is located in the open area within the Cândido Portinari State Park, close to the CPTM Villa Lobos-Jaguaré Station. In total, there are 42 cabins with capacity for eight people each – all equipped with air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Each rotation takes on average 25 to 30 minutes and uses continuous loading technology, which allows for a silent cycle and the shortest possible queues. , as boarding and disembarking are done without interrupting the rotation . Designed by the Levisky Arquitetos I Estratégia Urbana office, the implementation project is characterized by a construction system that prioritizes a drier and cleaner construction. For Adriana Levisky , the architect responsible for the project, the new tourist facility has the potential to create identity, generate a visual and landscape landmark and, in addition, create a possibility of viewing and relating to the city and its rivers from an unusual point of view: the city seen from above.

The project, which consists of a metal structure weighing over 1,000 tons, meets the premises of sustainability and accessibility . In this way, a rainwater collection system was installed for reuse in the irrigation of the landscaped areas. In addition, the boarding platform was developed in a metal structure with steel deck slabs, stairs and elevators with shafts with metal components. For the floors of the external areas, an interlocking concrete block system with straight edges was adopted, which in addition to allowing the infiltration of rainwater , also minimizes vibrations when moving wheeled devices. The proposal foresees that the equipment will become a true space of inclusion , allowing meetings, contemplation and learning. The privileged location was not a coincidence: the goal is to welcome both those who live in São Paulo and those who travel through it or come to visit; ensuring easy access by train, car and bicycle . The connection with the Pinheiros River was also decisive for the choice of address: “throughout the city’s history, with its growth, we have been losing the memory of the river, we have turned our backs on an element that deserves our respect. Thus, the Ferris Wheel is also a contribution to its rescue in its importance, with the possibility of appropriating the city from an unprecedented perspective , 91 meters high”, explains Levisky. Officially the largest Ferris wheel in Latin America and the largest Ferris wheel ever operated in Brazil , the Roda Rico surpasses in height equipment installed in cities such as Paris, Toronto and Chicago. The project will also have a common area integrated with the Cândido Portinari , corresponding to 3% of the total area of the park.