London Eye Passenger Capsule at Embarkation Platform
A close-up look at one of the passenger capsules of the London Eye, captured while docked at its embarkation platform along the South Bank of the River Thames. Each capsule is a marvel of modern engineering — a fully enclosed, climate-controlled glass pod capable of carrying up to 25 passengers. Suspended externally from the wheel’s rim, the capsules are mounted using a unique motorized bearing system that allows them to remain perfectly upright as the 135-meter-tall structure rotates.
The London Eye, officially opened to the public in 2000 and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, was originally the world’s tallest observation wheel and quickly became an icon of contemporary London architecture. Built by a consortium including Hollandia, Tilbury Douglas, and Poma, the structure represents the transition into the new millennium — combining aeronautical precision with architectural transparency. From within these capsules, riders experience a slow, 30-minute revolution offering sweeping views of Westminster, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and beyond, encapsulating both the technical and cultural ambition of modern London.
A close-up look at one of the passenger capsules of the London Eye, captured while docked at its embarkation platform along the South Bank of the River Thames. Each capsule is a marvel of modern engineering — a fully enclosed, climate-controlled glass pod capable of carrying up to 25 passengers. Suspended externally from the wheel’s rim, the capsules are mounted using a unique motorized bearing system that allows them to remain perfectly upright as the 135-meter-tall structure rotates.
The London Eye, officially opened to the public in 2000 and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, was originally the world’s tallest observation wheel and quickly became an icon of contemporary London architecture. Built by a consortium including Hollandia, Tilbury Douglas, and Poma, the structure represents the transition into the new millennium — combining aeronautical precision with architectural transparency. From within these capsules, riders experience a slow, 30-minute revolution offering sweeping views of Westminster, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and beyond, encapsulating both the technical and cultural ambition of modern London.
