Ferris Wheel at Irvine Spectrum Part of ‘Shopertainment’ Addition
Motorists stalled near the El Toro Y at least will have something new to look at next fall: an illuminated Ferris wheel more than 10 stories high.
The giant ride--and a carousel--will be part of the final phase of development at Irvine Spectrum Center.
Although the Irvine center is considered a trendsetter in the shopping and entertainment industry, it’s certainly not the first to try to attract shoppers with an eye-grabbing ride.
Palisades Center in Nyack, N.Y., opened in 1998 with a huge, indoor Ferris wheel near its food court. And New RocCity Mall opened last year in New Rochelle, N. Y., with a “Huguenot Tower Space Shot” ride perched on its roof.
“They’re really just trying to diversify themselves,” said Malachy Kavanagh, a spokesman for the International Council of Shopping Centers in New York. “They’re trying to create ‘shopertainment.’ ”
The Irvine Spectrum’s Ferris wheel, which will be made in Italy by Westech Limited, will have open-air “gondolas” that will seat up to six adults each, said the Irvine Co., the center’s owner.
The expansion, now underway, will boost the size of the 500,000-square-foot center by 40% and bulk up the retail offerings.
The new section, and the Ferris wheel, should be ready by Thanksgiving 2001. The carousel will start spinning in summer.
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