The Florida Aquarium announced an expansion plan that will include new exhibits. The highlight of the expansion is the outdoor sea lion habitat, and project plans include a rotating special exhibit gallery, converting the second floor lobby into a multi-species gallery, and a outdoor sea lion exhibit with an African penguin habitat. 

The project’s construction is set to begin January of 2023 and is planned to be completed in 2025. There are three phases set for the expansion. Phase I will transform the ballroom into a dynamic special exhibit hall, Phase II will add a two-level puffin habitat with a forest and other fish species, and Phase III will include the sea lion and penguin space, which will hold over 200,000 gallons together. This is the first major expansion to the Aquarium since opening in 1995. 

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