DOWNTOWN — The Shedd Aquarium revealed new details Tuesday for its years-long renovation to overhaul existing exhibitions and add a 40-foot underwater tunnel.
The plans are part of the aquarium’s ongoing $500 million Centennial Commitment initiative announced last year. It was created to update the Shedd and it make it more accessible by its 100th anniversary in 2030.
Renovations to 14 of the aquarium’s galleries and exhibitions will be made by 2027, according to a press release. The changes will not only be for guests but also the animals at the Shedd, officials said.
Among many changes will be the transformation of the aquarium’s North Gallery into an immersive tunnel exhibit, which will be the new home of the Shedd’s rescued green sea turtle, Nickel.
“By providing double the amount of water volume and state-of-the-art infrastructure to support a complex, warm saltwater environment, new spotted eagle rays will also join Nickel with over twice the space to swim and explore,” Shedd officials said.
Additionally, exhibitions will be changed to focus on the animals, their behaviors and the greater biodiversity of their environments, instead of the current focus on geography, leaders said.
These exhibitions will also allow guests to feel as if they are underwater, learn what kelp tastes like and examine how hagfishes use slime to protect themselves, according to the Shedd.
“We know that when people can truly connect with animals, it motivates an emotional, empathetic response that shifts attitudes and fosters a personal sense of responsibility for local waters, global oceans and wildlife,” Bridget Coughlin, the Shedd’s president and CEO, said. “People cannot care about something they do not know or understand, and it is only when we care about something, we are motivated to act — to love it, to protect it, to save it.”
The aquarium will remain open during the upgrades and renovations. New galleries, programs and experiences will open on a rolling basis.
Here is what’s set to be completed over the next four years:
Summer 2024
- “Wonder of Water” will be an experience with two towering saltwater and freshwater habitats. Guests will be able to walk through the middle and see corals living on one side and freshwater plants on the other in addition to fresh nests, anemones and more. It will replace the Caribbean Reef tank.
- “Amazon Rising,” an existing gallery, will receive several upgrades to the habitats of the arapaima and anaconda.
- “Welcome Plaza” will be upgraded to include a new entry experience and exterior ticketing pavilion for a more streamlined start to a visit.
- The four acres of green space surrounding the Shedd’s lakefront building will be mobilized into a living classroom and will be accessible without admission. It will also serve as a habitat for various local species, migrating birds and bugs.
- The Atrium will be updated with new ticketing and security scanning technology to sweep guests quickly into the aquarium.
Summer 2026
- “Changing Oceans” will be an immersive gallery where guests will be able to follow from the top of the ocean down to its deep depths to learn about how animals and the environment are impacted by climate change. The gallery will have three exhibitions including a kelp forest, a 40-foot “Caribbean tunnel” and the “Whalefall” of the bottom of the seafloor.
- The “Lakeside Learning Studio” will be home to the new educational programs at Shedd. The classrooms will relocate from the basement to the main gallery areas and will be able to host more than 230,000 students.
- The North Terrace will be expanded to provide more space for visitors.
Winter 2026
- “River Wonders” gallery will be fully renovated to showcase river systems found in and around Illinois streams.
- “Living Lakes” gallery will be renovated to highlight the habits of freshwater fish found in the Great Lakes.
- The Shedd’s “Grand Hall” will also be restored to create a more welcoming atmosphere featuring animal encounters, learning programs and other interactive features.
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