The Ferris wheel in Podil, which has been deemed problematic, is moving to a new location: where will it be relocated?
4 June 06:40
The famous Ferris wheel on Kontraktova Square in Kyiv, which for years has been one of the most prominent attractions in Podil, has been almost completely dismantled and is being prepared for relocation from the capital. This was reported by Kyiv activist and heritage preservationist Dmytro Petrov following a court hearing, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
The owner of the structure, French businessman Louis Toutain, confirmed during a hearing at the Kyiv Commercial Court on June 3 that the Ferris wheel in Podil has already been almost completely dismantled.
This refers to the attraction that was installed on Kontraktova Square back in December 2017. Initially, the wheel was positioned as a temporary feature of the New Year’s and Christmas fair, and was supposed to be removed after the holidays ended. However, after the winter of 2018, the structure remained on the square and continued to operate on a virtually permanent basis.
The Ferris wheel from Kyiv is planned to be transported to Truskavets
During the court proceedings, according to Petrov, Louis Tuten stated that after dismantling, the wheel would be transported to Truskavets.
Thus, one of Podil’s most famous attractions will change its “home” and may appear at a new location in the Lviv region.
The final details of the relocation and the format of the Ferris wheel’s future operation have not yet been officially announced, but the intention itself was voiced in court.
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Why a conflict arose over the Ferris wheel
For several years, the Ferris wheel has been the subject of disputes between the owner, city authorities, the prosecutor’s office, and heritage preservationists.
The Kyiv City State Administration and municipal services have repeatedly stated that:
- the permits for the structure’s operation had long since expired;
- the structure restricted the pedestrian zone;
- the attraction disrupted the architectural ensemble of historic Podil.
Subsequently, the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office classified the Ferris wheel’s presence on the square as an unauthorized occupation of public land, since the temporary permits had expired back in early 2018.
The prosecutor’s office called the attraction unsafe
At the end of last year, the prosecutor’s office stated that the Ferris wheel had been operating for years without the proper documentation and was, moreover, unsafe.
Amid this scandal, two heads of departments at the Kyiv City State Administration were charged with inaction regarding the situation with the attraction on Kontraktova Square.
It was only after increased pressure from law enforcement and court rulings in March 2026 that Louis Tuten agreed to dismantle the structure on his own.
Dismantling began, but later came to a halt
Following the March agreements, workers began dismantling the structure: they removed the cabins and hauled away individual parts of the ride. However, the process was subsequently suspended because the French businessman filed a lawsuit.
Earlier, Dmytro Petrov reported that during court hearings, Louis Tuten disagreed with the position of the city authorities and the prosecutor’s office. According to the activist, the businessman even threatened to halt the dismantling, leaving the frame in the middle of the square, or to file a lawsuit against Ukraine in an international court.
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