The Georgia Aquarium opened on November 23, 2005
The Georgia Aquarium, located in downtown Atlanta, opened to the public on November 23, 2005. It was built on the site of the former International Cotton Exchange warehouse in the SouthernTown district, near the World of Coca-Cola and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The facility was funded primarily by Bernie Marcus, the co-founder of The Home Depot, who donated $250 million toward its construction. At the time of its opening, it was the largest aquarium in the world by water volume, holding more than 10 million gallons of water across its exhibits.
The project took approximately three years to complete, with construction running from 2002 to 2005. The building itself was designed by the architectural firm Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates (TVS), which specialized in large public facilities. Engineers had to retrofit the historic warehouse structure while installing advanced filtration systems, temperature controls, and life support equipment throughout the facility to maintain precise water conditions for different species.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia Aquarium opened on November 23, 2005, in downtown Atlanta on the site of a former warehouse in the SouthernTown district.
- Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot, funded the aquarium's construction with a $250 million donation.
- The aquarium held the title of world's largest aquarium by water volume when it first opened, containing more than 10 million gallons of water.
- The facility was designed to house whale sharks, beluga whales, and thousands of other marine animals across four main galleries.
- The structure required three years of construction and specialized engineering to support the weight of millions of gallons of water.
What the aquarium contained when it first opened
The original Georgia Aquarium featured four main galleries: Tropical Diver, River Scout, Ocean Voyager, and Beluga & Friends. The Ocean Voyager gallery was the centerpiece, designed specifically to house whale sharks and manta rays. This single gallery contained approximately 6.3 million gallons of water, making it one of the largest single aquarium tanks in the world. The aquarium also opened with a collection of beluga whales, which were housed in the Beluga & Friends gallery.
The facility included more than 60 different species of fish, mammals, and other marine life. The whale sharks were a major draw—the aquarium transported them from Taiwan and Japan to Atlanta, a significant undertaking for the time. The beluga whales came from marine parks and research facilities. Visitors could view these animals through acrylic panels and underwater viewing areas designed to provide close encounters with the marine life.
Why Atlanta was chosen for the location
Atlanta was selected as the home for the aquarium because of its status as a major metropolitan area with strong tourism infrastructure. The city already hosted the World of Coca-Cola and other attractions that drew visitors from across the region and the country. The downtown location near other cultural institutions made it accessible to both locals and tourists, and the SouthernTown district was undergoing revitalization at the time.
The aquarium became a centerpiece of that revitalization effort. The project created jobs during construction and has continued to employ hundreds of people since opening. The facility's location in downtown Atlanta positioned it as part of a larger cultural corridor that includes museums, historic sites, and entertainment venues.
How the aquarium compares to other facilities worldwide
When the Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005, it was significantly larger than most other aquariums in the United States. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, which opened in 1984, was well-established but smaller by water volume. The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, which opened in 1930, was a historic facility but also smaller in total capacity. The Georgia Aquarium's 10 million gallons of water made it a record-breaking facility at the time of its opening.
The Georgia Aquarium held the title of world's largest aquarium for nine years, until the Marine Life Park in Singapore opened in 2014. However, the Georgia Aquarium remains one of the largest and most visited aquariums in the world. In its early years after opening, the facility drew more than 2 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited attractions in Atlanta and a major draw for the region.
What has changed since the 2005 opening
Since opening, the Georgia Aquarium has added new exhibits and updated existing ones to keep the facility fresh for repeat visitors. In 2010, the facility opened the Cold Water Quest gallery, which focused on animals from colder ocean environments. Additional galleries and interactive exhibits have been added over the years, expanding the types of marine life on display and the educational opportunities for visitors.
The aquarium has also expanded its research and conservation programs beyond its role as a tourist attraction. Staff members work with other institutions on breeding programs for endangered species and participate in field research to protect marine habitats. The facility has become a center for marine science education and research, hosting scientists and students who study marine biology and conservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water does the Georgia Aquarium hold?
The Georgia Aquarium holds more than 10 million gallons of water across all its exhibits. The Ocean Voyager gallery alone contains approximately 6.3 million gallons and is one of the largest single aquarium tanks in the world.
Can you see whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium?
Yes, whale sharks are housed in the Ocean Voyager gallery. The aquarium has maintained whale sharks since its opening in 2005, making them one of the facility's signature attractions that draw visitors from around the world.
Is the Georgia Aquarium still the largest in the world?
No, the Georgia Aquarium held that title from 2005 to 2014, when the Marine Life Park in Singapore opened with a larger water volume. However, the Georgia Aquarium remains one of the largest and most visited aquariums globally.
How many people visit the Georgia Aquarium each year?
The aquarium draws millions of visitors annually. In its early years after opening, it attracted more than 2 million visitors per year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Atlanta and a major destination for tourists.