World’s Largest Ferris Wheel Nearing Completion in Las Vegas

City after city is taking turns owning the title “Home to the World’s Tallest Ferris Wheel.” Las Vegas’ turn will come early next year.

It’s already visible all over the city. The outer wheel of the 55-story High Roller ride was hoisted into place on Monday. It’s part of a new outdoor plaza across the street from Caesars Palace.

The High Roller will be 100 feet taller than the London Eye, which opened in 2000, 30 feet taller than China's Star of Nanchang, which opened in 2006, and nine feet taller than the Singapore Flyer, which opened in 2008.

A lot different from the baskets you normally think of on a Ferris wheel, up to 40 people can ride in each of 28 glass capsules on a ride that will take a half hour to complete. No smoking will be allowed inside the capsules, but you can take a drink with you.

And to prevent anyone from getting bored on the way up or the way down each capsule will have an audio/visual presentation. The cost of a ride? About $30 -- round trip.

Tickets will be comparable to the London ride, which costs about $30, according to Caesars spokeswoman Christina Karas. She declined to say to how much it cost to build the ride.

And as that one nears completion, work has already begun on a second slightly smaller wheel at the south end of the strip across from Mandalay Bay. That one expected to open in 2015. And last spring, a group of developers revealed plans for a third wheel – the London Thrill – planned for a location near the middle of the Strip.

Not long after the High Roller starts to take customers, another one will start to go up in New York City and take on the title of world’s tallest. Plans for a 625-foot ride on Staten Island's waterfront were announced last year.