The Florida Aquarium announced a $40-million expansion plan that will include several new exhibits; most notably a grand outdoor sea lion habitat. The project, which has three phases, will begin in January 2023. It is scheduled to be completed in 2025. Also included in the Florida Aquarium Expansion are a rotating special exhibit gallery, a multi-species gallery that features puffins, and a large-scale outdoor exhibit featuring California sea lions. A significant African penguin habitat will also be part of the outdoor expansion.
“We are reinvigorating The Florida Aquarium by creating innovative and immersive habitats and exhibits, providing captivating guest experiences, and expanding our dynamic animal collection that advances our commitment to saving wildlife and wild places,” said Roger Germann, president and CEO. “Today we take a major step forward in building the world-class aquarium that Tampa Bay deserves.”
This marks the first major expansion for The Florida Aquarium since its opening in 1995.
An expanded guest experience and pathway responds to a growing marketplace and historic visitor attendance at The Florida Aquarium in recent years. It also delivers on the Aquarium’s mission to connect guests to the marine world in meaningful and inspiring ways. The expansion delivers on its promise to have a more global perspective in conservation.
Space Haus will lead the creative design of the expansion project. Their list of clients also includes The Shedd Aquarium, National Aquarium of New Zealand, and the Dallas and Kansas City Zoos.
Related: Florida Aquarium Raises and Relocates Corals
The designs of all three phases of expansion prioritize animal welfare standards. Here is what to expect from the construction phases:
Phase I
Scheduled for completion in 2023. It will transform the existing ballroom space in the Mosaic Center into a 3,700- square foot flexible and dynamic special exhibit hall.
Phase II
To be completed in 2024. This expansion will transport visitors to the rocky coasts and will feature an extraordinary two-level puffin habitat complete with a kelp forest, Atlantic salmon and other larger fish species. Multiple viewing windows measuring over 20’ will allow guests to see the many nesting sites and deep dive pool of this 45,000-gallon habitat for the beautiful and fun-to-watch birds.
Phase III
The planned completion for the third and most ambitious phase will be 2025. Three separate but interconnected sea lion spaces, which collectively measure over 200,000 gallons. There will be both a large main habitat and animal encounter habitat and a presentation space, including underwater viewing and overlook seating. The outdoor plaza will include a 39,500-gallon African penguin habitat which will allow for optimal welfare to a colony of up to 30 penguins. A uniquely placed bubble viewing window will be a highlight for young guests. A park-like atmosphere for the plaza will enhance an already exceptional experience.
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