Agreement reached with Ferris wheel operator at Miðbakkinn
The city will enter into an agreement with Taylor's Tivoli Iceland ehf. for temporary use of Miðbakkinn so the company can operate a Ferris wheel there this summer.
Reykjavík City posted a request on May 24 seeking a partner to operate a Ferris wheel at Miðbakkinn by Reykjavík Harbor. The City received one valid application in response to the request, from Taylor's Tivoli Iceland ehf., which operated a Ferris wheel at Miðbakkinn last summer. Associated Icelandic Ports sf. owns the grounds, but Reykjavík City has usage rights to the property. Taylor's Tivoli Iceland ehf. will pay 650,000 króna per month to use the grounds and commits to offering free Ferris wheel rides to the public on Culture Night. The usage agreement expires Sept. 30, 2025.
Building on positive experience from last summer
Operating a Ferris wheel at Miðbakkinn during summer 2024, a one-summer pilot project, went well. The Ferris wheel is intended as an exciting addition to the city’s vibrant life and a playful continuation of major developments in the city center. There was strong interest in the project last year, which led to an agreement with Taylor’s Tivoli Iceland ehf., a company experienced in operating Ferris wheels and amusement parks at Miðbakki. The City ensured the equipment was suited to Icelandic conditions, including wind loads and ground vibrations. Special attention was given to keeping noise levels low, and concerns turned out to be unnecessary — the Ferris wheel was so quiet it didn’t register in measurements due to traffic noise from Geirsgata.
Ferris wheel among ideas for waterfront attractions
The project is part of the City’s broader planning work around waterfront experiences and outdoor recreation, which produced many proposals for improving quality of life and public health, outlined in a report released last fall. The benefits of green spaces are well known, and access to them has been shown to support people’s overall well-being. There’s growing interest in the benefits of access to water — or “blue spaces” — such as seas, rivers, waterfalls, and lakes. Living near water has been linked to better physical and mental health and greater overall well-being. Across Europe, blue spaces are increasingly recognized as valuable city assets for tourism, recreation, and healthy lifestyles. As a result, the City explored options for experiences and outdoor recreation along Reykjavík’s coastline, and the Ferris wheel was one of many ideas featured in the report.