After more than five years, the Virginia Aquarium has reopened its renovated and expanded South Building, which houses nearly 20,000 gallons of water and more than a dozen species.
The South Building’s renovated spaces feature immersive experiences, interactive exhibits, play areas, touch pools, a veterinary care centre, and an interactive water quality lab.
The aquarium‘s refreshed building is home to new animals including Pacific sea nettle jellyfish, decorator crab, mantis shrimp, and cuttlefish, as well as returning favourites such as North American river otters.
“We are thrilled to welcome guests into our reimagined South Building. This space will expand our offerings and education programming, enhancing the overall guest experience,” said Virginia Aquarium president and CEO, Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis.
“The building is designed to be a hands-on, interactive experience that engages all the senses, sparks curiosity for all ages, and inspires conservation of the marine environment.”
Part of the $28.9 million project, the South Building now includes an education hall for schools to use on field trips, and a 200-seat outdoor amphitheatre for events and entertainment.
New exhibits include a jellfish gallery, home to moon jellies, lion’s mane jellies, sea nettles, and upside-down jellies. The care centre and water quality lab are part of the new ‘Windows into Animal Care’ gallery.
$28.9m aquarium renovation
The Undersea Super Powers gallery highlights the abilities and adaptation of various marine animals, including cuttlefish, flame scallops and mantis shrimps.
The new Otter Bay Café overlooks the habitat for North American river otters. And during the warmer months, guests can enjoy an outdoor playground called Our Watershed.
This area is designed to teach guests about the role of watersheds in the environment and how to protect watershed ecosystems.
Originally built in 1995, the South Building is connected to the Virginia Aquarium’s main building via a walking trail through the woods. The South Building closed to the public in 2018 for the renovation project.
Images courtesy of Virginia Aquarium
