Towering 250-foot Ferris wheel could come to downtown Tampa

Visitors to Tampa’s Channel District could soon get a bird's eye view of downtown from atop a 250-foot-tall observation Ferris wheel, if approved by city council.

Tampa City Council will soon consider plans from developer Tony Miller to build the waterfront attraction he calls the Tampa WOW!, which stands for Wheel Over Water, just north of the Florida Aquarium overlooking the cruise ships. 

Much like the London Eye or The Wheel at Icon Park in Orlando, the Tampa WOW! would feature climate-controlled gondolas and each ride would last 20 to 30 minutes. The base of the wheel would include a concession stand offering food and beverages, as well as a luggage storage area for cruise ship passengers. 

In a statement announcing the project, Miller says the vision for the wheel is that it becomes an iconic addition to Tampa’s skyline that helps connect the Channel District and Water Street neighborhoods to nearby attractions like the aquarium, Benchmark International Arena (formerly Amalie Arena), the Tampa Convention Center and the cruise terminals. According to his announcement, community response to the project so far has been “overwhelmingly positive.” 

“We’ve assembled the best team in the country with a proven track record of success around the world to make this happen,” Miller says. “Tampa WOW! isn’t just about the view. It’s about creating a world-class family destination and energizing downtown with new opportunities for connection and engagement.”

The project would be built at no cost to taxpayers, Miller says. Its estimated $20 million price tag would be funded privately. If approved by city council, Miller says he would like to open the Tampa WOW! by next fall. 

Both Visit Tampa Bay President & CEO Santiago Corrada and Roger Germann, president and CEO of The Florida Aquarium, have voiced their support for the project as an exciting attraction for residents and visitors, young and old. 

“The vision behind Tampa WOW! perfectly complements the bold idea set forth by our founders and city officials 30 years ago when we opened our Aquarium doors,” Germann says in the announcement. “With the addition of Tampa WOW!, the transformation of Tampa into a world-class destination for families takes another major step forward. Like the Aquarium, Tampa WOW! will inspire wonder, create memories, and keep people coming back to our city, county and region.”