Had it not been for the determination of two visionary architects in the early 1990s, London’s skyline—and its iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks—would look very different today.
Julia Barfield and her late husband, David Marks, refused to let an initial setback deter them. After failing to win a competition to design a millennium landmark, they pressed ahead with their ambitious plans. Their persistence paid off. With support from the press, the public, and investors, the Millennium Wheel became a reality.
On March 9, 2000, it welcomed its first paying passengers. Since then, more than 85 million people have taken the ride.
A vision for London
On a clear day over the River Thames, Julia Barfield takes another turn on the observation wheel, now inseparable from London’s skyline. Nearby, tourists eagerly snap pictures of the city bathed in spring sunshine.
"We didn’t want the landmark to be something you just looked at," Julia explains. "It was meant to be participatory—a celebration of London itself."
Designed to offer breathtaking views, the London Eye allows visitors to see as far as Windsor Castle on a clear day.
The dream that wouldn’t die
In 1993, Julia and David entered a competition by The Times and the Architecture Foundation to design a temporary structure for the millennium. They didn’t win—no design did.
But rather than abandon their idea, they refined it. Their dream was a 152-meter (500-foot) observation wheel on the South Bank, an area that, at the time, was largely overlooked by visitors.
They saw potential. "We discovered that half a million people would cross Westminster Bridge, take a picture of the Houses of Parliament, and then turn back north," Julia recalls. "The South Bank in 1993-94 was deserted."
Their proposal was bold and modern, reflecting London’s progressive spirit while respecting its historic surroundings. Conscious of placing a large structure near a World Heritage Site, they designed the wheel to be as lightweight as possible. Over a hundred variations were explored before they settled on the final design.
Gaining momentum
To push their vision forward, Julia and David founded The Millennium Wheel Company and invested in cutting-edge technology. Using computer-generated imagery (CGI)—then in its infancy—they visualized how the wheel would transform the London skyline.
Their efforts caught the attention of a journalist at the Evening Standard, which soon launched a "Back the Wheel" campaign. Public enthusiasm grew, and British Airways came on board as a key investor.
A near collapse
Even with funding, the project faced major obstacles. The first contractor proposed changes that clashed with the architects’ vision, reducing the wheel to a generic fairground ride.
"We would have been a laughing stock if we'd accepted those capsules," Julia says. "So we pulled the plug on the project for 24 hours."
A new manufacturer was found, leading to an international collaboration. The spindle came from the Czech Republic, cables and curved glass from Italy, capsules from France, and the main structure from the Netherlands.
Construction was a feat of engineering. Massive segments were floated down the Thames and assembled horizontally before being carefully raised. At one point, the half-built wheel was suspended at a dramatic 35-degree angle over the river.
Julia remembers watching the sunrise over the unfinished structure with David. "It looked like Boudicca was welcoming the London Eye onto the skyline."
An icon is born
Standing at 135 meters (443 feet) with 32 capsules, the London Eye quickly became a defining feature of the capital. Originally, 60 capsules were planned to symbolize minutes in an hour, but the design was revised to ensure uninterrupted views.
Over 25 years, it has witnessed countless moments: Mo Farah striking his iconic ‘Mobot’ pose atop a pod, over 6,000 proposals (including one on EastEnders), and regular illuminations in support of charities, Pride in London, and the NHS.
Most famously, it serves as the backdrop to London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks, a spectacle watched worldwide.
A lasting legacy
What was meant to be a temporary structure for the millennium is now a permanent fixture of London’s South Bank. One percent of ticket sales are dedicated to local community projects, ensuring its impact extends beyond tourism.
Photo by Milas Bowman, Wikimedia commons.