200-Foot-High Ferris Wheel to Transform Downtown San Antonio

200-Foot-High Ferris Wheel to Transform Downtown San Antonio

Big plans are in place to transform the skyline of downtown San Antonio as an amusement development group has unveiled plans to construct a 200-foot Ferris wheel, named Grandismo. The sizable entertainment complex, located just two blocks from the historic Alamo, will serve as a new tourist attraction, aiming to bring a fresh dynamic to the city center.

Structure and Features

The Ferris wheel, with its climate-controlled gondolas, stands out as the centerpiece of the Grandismo project. Offering panoramic 20-mile views of the city in all directions, this grand structure aims to attract both locals and tourists alike. The Florida-based amusement developer, Icon, has similar successful projects to its credit, most notably the 200-foot St. Louis Wheel and the 180-foot Capital Wheel at Maryland’s National Harbor.

Aside from the Ferris wheel, Grandismo will not be short of other enticing features. The complex is planned to host a miniature golf course, an innovative and custom carousel ride, and a food and drink hall designed to cater to all tastes.

Location and Timeline

The development is slated to be at 902 E. Houston St., a prime location currently occupied by a Days Inn by Wyndham budget hotel. Icon’s managing partners, Curtis Parks and Eli Stoval, have announced that they are under contract to purchase nearly an acre of this land for the development. The project represents a return to their amusement business roots in the San Antonio area, where they started their journey at the New Braunfels-based water park, Schlitterbahn.

Icon expects to wrap up the downtown development by next year. This week, the city’s Zoning Commission voted to recommend a zoning change that favors the project’s initiation. The final verdict rests with the City Council, who will consider the commission’s input before making a decision.

A Previous Attempt

This is not the first time such an ambitious endeavor has been planned in San Antonio. Back in 2017, an anonymous developer proposed a 900-foot Ferris wheel along the Mission Reach stretch of San Antonio’s River Walk. If built, it would have been the world’s largest Ferris wheel. However, the project was abruptly shelved for undisclosed reasons, leaving the city’s residents and authorities in a state of disappointment.

With the announcement of Icon’s Grandismo Ferris wheel, the city’s residents have again been filled with excitement and hope. They are optimistic that, if approved, the project will serve to enhance San Antonio’s downtown district, offering both a unique form of entertainment and a novel perspective on the city.

Looking Forward

As the anticipation builds in San Antonio, all eyes are on the City Council’s decision, which could pave the way for this exciting transformation of the cityscape. No doubt, the successful implementation of the project would mark a significant addition to the city’s vibrant tourism industry, drawing in more visitors with a unique diversion that celebrates the charm and beauty of San Antonio.