Ocean City Ferris wheel to be demolished for redevelopment

The iconic 144-foot Ferris wheel at the former Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, New Jersey, is slated for demolition. Property owner Eustace Mita stated that the structure has become unsalvageable due to years of exposure to salt air and oceanfront conditions. Corrosion has caused major components and bolts to weld in place, making it impossible to disassemble or preserve the wheel for reassembly elsewhere.

In addition to the Ferris wheel, Mita's consultants are advising the demolition of approximately two-thirds of the property. This follows a city inspection that identified a caved-in concrete retaining wall and a cracking foundation near the wheel. While the city issued a notice regarding the unsafe cinder-block wall, the Ferris wheel itself was not specifically referenced in that notice.

The site, which closed in 2024, is currently the subject of significant local debate and legal challenges. Redevelopment plans involve the construction of a luxury hotel by Icona Resorts. In June, the Ocean City City Council designated the property as being in “need of rehabilitation,” a move that allows for the hotel project to proceed despite local zoning restrictions. A lawsuit filed by civic organizations is currently challenging this designation.