Times Square delivers

February 2010

As Canadian property developer, Jerry Shefsky, announces plans to build a seven-storey large aquarium in Times Square, it seems the aquariums transformation from house bound hobby to public art is finally complete.

Standing in arguably one of the most sought after positions in the world, the $100 million operation will cement aquariums as desirable- and profitable- tourist attractions. Far from a standard aquarium, the seven storey fish tank will be housed in a sky scraper on the corner of the iconic Times Square alongside a private museum and other displays.

Filled with penguins, sharks and sea otters the aquarium, developer Shefsky promises “It’s anything but an aquarium in the format you might imagine.”

Traditionally seaside attractions in England, aquariums across the world have long outdone the UK’s public aquariums in terms of both size and scope. The Sydney Aquarium is one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations, with 55% of its visitors coming from overseas every year; it houses over 6’000 fish and even a glass bottom boat tour ride of the shark pool.

America currently claims to house the world’s largest aquarium in Atlanta. Georgia Aquarium was opened by the co-founder of Home Depot, Bernie Marcus, after an inspirational dinner at the Monterey Bay aquarium. The $250 million aquarium houses 120,000 animals in 8.1 million gallons of water, most notably sharks, beluga whales and manta rays.

In the Far East, Dubai Mall’s Aquarium and Underwater zoo is a record holder in its own right, earning the title of the Guinness Book of Record’s Largest Acrylic Panel. Narrowly beating the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan, the 750mm thick acrylic viewing panel gives visitors a window to 33’000 specimens usually confined to the depths of the ocean.

So whilst the rest of the world boasts record breaking, jaw dropping, “destination” aquariums, the UK’s own offering, NIRAH, appears to have gone cold. The National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats (NIRAH) began development in 2005, proposed to be the world’s largest freshwater aquarium and providing space for research as well as a public viewing arena. With planning permission submitted in 2007 and little news since, the planned 2010 opening of “the unique resource for conservation, education and science as well as for entertainment and inspiration” appears to be still a long way off.  At present the largest offering in the UK remains the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.

With world renowned aquarists such as Aquarium Architecture consultant, David Saxby, constructing one of the world’s largest residential aquariums in his London residence, it is surely time an aquarium on the scale of Georgia, or Times Square, became a centrepiece in the public arena. Celebrating both the wonders of the ocean and the British public’s fascination with aquariums within their own homes, London will surely follow Times Square lead and build a public large aquarium to match the quality of our private tanks.

If you are interested in having a custom aquarium designed for you, even if is not a large aquarium, we are here to discuss your vision. Aquarium Architecture has worked on a wide range of aquariums, from residential tanks to large commercial aquariums, with each package designed to suit any budget and time frame. Click here for contact information.