Seattle Aquarium's Ocean Pavilion expansion opens Aug. 29
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The Ocean Pavilion is seen behind the main Seattle Aquarium building along the waterfront. Photo: Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium plans to open its new Ocean Pavilion expansion next month, completing a key piece of long-term plans to transform the city's waterfront.
Why it matters: The new building on Elliott Bay will include a landscaped public rooftop, an elevator and stairs to help connect the waterfront with Pike Place Market — a change made possible by the demolition of the Alaskan Way viaduct in 2019.
Driving the news: The new addition will open to the public Aug. 29, featuring about 3,500 marine animals and plants.
- The expansion will measure nearly 50,000 square feet, increasing the aquarium's overall footprint by about 50%, the aquarium said.
What's inside: A reef ecosystem will showcase Indo-Pacific leopard sharks, spotted eagle rays and schools of tropical fish.
- Visitors will also be able to visit a jellyfish nursery and a shoreline mangrove forest, among other exhibits.
1 fun thing: While exploring the inside of the facility will require tickets, the outdoor plaza near the front of the building will let passersby peek into the reef habitat for free, through an oculus measuring 17.5-feet wide.
What's next: The Overlook Walk, which is designed to complete the pedestrian link between the aquarium and Pike Place Market, is scheduled to open by the end of the year.
