Photos: Navy Pier's Big, New Ferris Wheel Is Almost Complete

By Rachel Cromidas in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 6, 2016 3:35PM

In case you hadn't heard, Navy Pier is getting a big, new Ferris wheel this year—and for the past several months, Chicago's skyline has been missing its iconic wheel.

But miss it no more; on Friday crews finished installing spokes and a rim on the new wheel, which will be 50 feet taller than the previous one.

The original wheel, installed in 1995, was replaced in anticipation of Navy Pier's 100th anniversary celebration this summer. The new wheel will be able to fit 180 more passengers per ride than the original wheel and will operate year-round thanks to temperature-controlled gondolas.