Dallas' Perot Museum plans multi-acre expansion
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This isn't a fire pit — it's a science lesson on fire tornados. Rendering: Courtesy of the Perot Museum
The Perot Museum plans to expand to 4 acres — doubling its footprint in downtown Dallas — by late 2028.
Why it matters: Open since 2012, the museum of nature and science says STEM jobs in Texas are expanding at twice the national rate, highlighting the need for more science education.
State of play: The expansion will include an outdoor living laboratory with roughly 25 large-scale exhibits and demonstrations of weather elements such as wind gusts, thunder, fire tornados and water vortexes.
- A paleontology garden, pollinator habitat and shaded river in the outdoor area will offer lessons on biodiversity and ecological systems.
- The Perot's lobby, event spaces and parking options are also getting a facelift.
Follow the money: The updates are estimated to cost $185 million and bring in 400,000 more visitors per year. The museum says it has raised $135 million of its funding goal.
What they're saying: "This project represents an opportunity to rethink how and where people experience science … Our goal is to create an environment where discovery feels unexpected and alive," Mike Spiewak, the Perot's vice president of exhibitions, said in a statement.
What's next: Construction is slated to begin early next year.