Going to New Heights

Dallas suburb nabs new Ferris wheel that rivals Fair Park's famed Texas Star

The Grandscape Wheel will open on Friday, September 10.

Photo courtesy of Grandscape

The Grandscape in The Colony soon will debut the Grandscape Wheel, a nearly 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel that rivals the Texas Star, a State Fair of Texas mainstay.

Opening on September 10, the Grandscape Wheel was designed by Dutch Wheels, which has created observation wheels around the world. The Grandscape Wheel features 42 climate-controlled gondolas with music for riders to enjoy views of The Colony, nearby Frisco, and the North Texas skyline.

Each gondola seats up to eight people, with a special four-person VIP gondola with a glass floor and leather, Ferrari-style seating also available.

The Grandscape Wheel stands at 180 feet tall, which comes close to the 212-foot-tall Texas Star. Of course, the Texas Star is only available during the State Fair of Texas, while the Grandscape Wheel will be open every Wednesday through Sunday. The ride will last approximately 12-15 minutes, making around three revolutions.

"We are so proud to bring the Grandscape Wheel to The Colony, Texas and be a part of the immersive entertainment lineup at Grandscape along with Nebraska Furniture Mart, Andretti Indoor Karting, and Games and Scheels,” said Jim Riggs, Developer and Managing Partner of SouthWest Wheel Partners in a statement.

The Grandscape Wheel will adhere to various COVID-19 guidelines, including social distancing. Families will be allowed board up to eight people per gondola, but anyone not living in the same household will not be seated together. Hand sanitizer will be provided for guest use, and gondolas will be sanitized between guest boarding.

Tickets for the attraction range from $12.01-$15.94 per person, with kids 3 and under riding for free. The VIP gondola costs $49.88 per person, a cost that also includes front-of-the-line access and a souvenir photo.

Grandscape is an outdoor entertainment, dining, and shopping destination in The Colony anchored by Nebraska Furniture Mart and Scheels. It is also currently home to Jurassic World: The Exhibition, located directly next to the Grandscape Wheel through January 2, 2022.

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Hang ten and fore

Tiger Woods' team takes over surf venue at Grandscape in The Colony

Fireside Surf

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A surfing-themed restaurant and entertainment venue at Grandscape in The Colony is catching a new wave: Fireside SurfSurf is being taken over by Tiger Woods-owned PopStroke and becoming The Surf Lounge at PopStroke.

According to a release, the grand reopening will take place March 5.

The Surf Lounge will encompass an open-air setting with poolside seating, flexible event configurations, and a layout built to accommodate private functions, members, as well as daily guests, the release says.

PopStroke’s restaurant concept, BarTenders, will oversee all food and beverage operations at The Surf Lounge, which will include a dedicated poolside menu of shareables and elevated bar fare, as well as a full bar program featuring "cocktails that hold their own," says the release.

PopStroke has operated a putting course entertainment concept designed by golf legend Woods at Grandscape since 2024.

"The (taking over of the surf venue) solidifies PopStroke’s presence at Grandscape and introduces a fully unified hospitality experience under one brand," says the release. "The takeover marks a significant expansion of PopStroke’s event and hospitality footprint in North Texas, positioning the Grandscape location as one of the brand’s most dynamic destinations nationally."

The owners are positioning The Surf Lounge as an attractive gathering place to host corporate outings, milestone celebrations, private rentals, and programmed activations, including happy hours, brunch, and day-party events throughout the year.

While the public will be welcome to eat and drink during designated hours, surf access will be exclusive to Surf Members, they say. Information about Surf Memberships is TBA, they say.

The Surf Lounge is at 5772 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony. Upon reopening, operating hours will be 4-8 pm Thursday and 12-8 pm Friday-Sunday.

Grandscape is on a roll. Other new additions recently announced include bar and music venue The Rustic and soccer-themed entertainment complex TOCA Social.

“These additions reflect our commitment to continually evolving Grandscape with globally loved brands,” said Jennifer Petrovich, director of leasing for Grandscape, in a statement. “From live entertainment and interactive sports experiences to shopping, we’re creating moments here that can’t be found anywhere else in North Texas.”