The Vegas High Roller

Structural Designer

Arup

Client Name

Ceasars Entertainment

Location

Las Vegas, United States of America

REFERENCE DESIGN (wheel structure, boarding platform, cabins and drive system)
Arup
PROJECT MANAGER
Caesars Entertainment
THEME DESIGN AND ARCHITECT
The Hettema Group
WHEEL STRUCTURE
American Bridge Company
DRIVE SYSTEM
Schwager Davis Inc
CABINS
Leitner-Poma of America
BOARDING PLATFORMS
WA Richardson Builders

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Vegas High Roller is the current Guinness World Record Holder for the tallest observation wheel. Standing at 168 metres tall, it is a major new landmark for Las Vegas, and the key feature in a new pedestrian street development in the city. The wheel carries 28 fully air conditioned, spherical cabins. It is the first giant observation wheel not to use a truss for the rim, but a single, tubular chord - a more elegant and distinctive structural solution which minimises views of the structure, providing passengers with a unique floating sensation.

Judge's comment:
The judges were impressed by two aspects of this engineering feat. Firstly, the logical development of Giant Observation Wheels from a three chord rim in London to a two chord rim in Singapore and now, the ultimate, a single tube at Las Vegas. And secondly, the rigour and diligence of engineering the mechanical details and fatigue resistance throughout.