
America’s newest aquarium, the Aquaticus America, is also one it’s most technologically advanced and hands-on.
PGAV Destinations is delighted to celebrate the opening at Union Station of the St. Louis Aquarium.
America’s newest aquarium was designed by PGAV Destinations and is now the center of a $187million family entertainment attraction in downtown St. Louis. The National Historic Landmark St. Louis Union Station train shed is where the Aquarium and other attractions will be located. It was originally built in 1894 and was the largest and busiest railway terminal in America.
Emily Howard, vice president of PGAV, stated that “Marrying concepts of train travel with the world’s waterways was one the most challenging thematic challenges we faced.” “We used the common thread of “a trip” to tell a story about Union Station’s legacy, as well conservation-oriented tale about the journey of water from the ocean to rivers, ocean and back again.”
PGAV Destinations collaborated with Lodging Hospitality Group, the operator of zoOceanarium, and McCarthy Building Companies to design the new Aquarium. The goal was to celebrate St. Louis’ past and future, as well as show off the city’s global influence via the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The journey takes visitors to the Aquarium via early train travel. They are then taken to the Mississippi to learn about the amazing animals that live in St. Louis. From there, they head downriver to view unique creatures from all over the world’s oceans and waterways. The Aquarium uses cutting-edge technology and a variety of live animals to instill a passion for conservation among its visitors. They know that their actions here in St. Louis have an impact on the global waterway ecosystem.
The aquarium measures 120,000 square feet and spans two stories. It also contains more than one million gallons of water. The aquarium’s unique exhibits showcase more than 13,000 aquatic species from freshwater and marine environments all over the globe. The aquarium combines state-of-the-art technology with animal care and education. It also offers an exciting experience for aquatic animals.
The Grand Lobby is where visitors enter the Aquarium. A 4-K LED-curved screen stretches high above the floor to display a spectacular video showing marine life. The lobby’s focal point is a discus fish habitat that features a working clock and mirrors Union Station’s Market Street entrance.
Inside the aquarium, guests can experience a virtual train ride aboard one of two replica passenger rail cars. John Goodman, an actor from St. Louis, hosts the multimedia ride that honors the railroad history of St. Louis Union Station. It takes guests on a journey to the oceans and rivers around the world. Visitors will find themselves at the confluence between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers when the train doors are opened. Here they can view the fish that live in America’s great rivers such as alligator gar and paddlefish, catfish, and many others.
The aquarium’s Global Rivers section allows guests to dip their fingers into a basin containing doctor fish. They will then eat their skin and become “cleaner” fish. This is just one of many experiences that can be had at the aquarium. Next to the tank filled with Red-Bellied Piranhas, is a habitat that houses exotic fish from South America’s rivers. To experience the “swim” of the fish, visitors can visit an acrylic bubble within to get a feel for it. Each exhibit in the aquarium has an interactive touch screen that provides information about the various species. Touch screen kiosks are available throughout the attraction for a scavenger hunt.
Andrew Schumacher, a PGAV architect, stated that Aquarium exhibit design must provide a hierarchy for visitors of different types. While some guests simply enjoy watching the animals, others might be interested in learning more about their biology. Others may prefer to interact with them to better understand their behavior or to ask interpreters questions. We have created an experience that caters to all learning styles.
Two-story play space with a waterfall and deep pool. A live Otter Chat allows guests to interact with Tommy the Otter, and learn about their lives on America’s rivers.
On the upper level of the aquarium, touch tanks with invertebrates and stingrays allow for hands-on activities. Visitors can take part in turtle feedings and feed the rays. Lord Stanley, a rare blue lobster, is located nearby. He was named after the NHL’s Stanley Cup and in memory of the 2019 St. Louis Blues championship. The water table allows children to play in the river and provides opportunities for them to learn more about it. A calming room is also available for families with sensory issues.
Every day is shark day in the St. Louis Aquarium. In a 250,000-gallon aquarium, the massive Shark Canyon exhibit offers multiple views of over 60 sharks and rays. Visitors can see two J-walls high above their heads, and divers often interact with visitors from the habitat. You will see sandbar sharks and nurse sharks. Crowd pleasers include a curious puffer and a goliath grouper.
The aquarium’s Deep section takes you down a bio-luminescent corridor on a journey through deep oceans. The Deep section features jellies and a young giant Pacific octopus. “Sea horses with flair” are the name given to the area’s fascinating weedy and leafy sea dragons.
Tami Brown, executive director of the attraction, stated that visitors will leave the St. Louis Aquarium, Union Station with wet hands, a better understanding of the planet’s rivers and oceans, as well as a deeper appreciation for aquatic life. They will have the opportunity to touch and feed stingrays, turtles, and other invertebrate species in our touch tanks. The staff will also have access to a variety of other animals, such as reptiles and sloths, for guests to interact with.
The St. Louis Aquarium Foundation’s Conservation and Education Center is opening alongside the Aquarium. The Aquarium’s non-profit partner, the Foundation works to make the Aquarium accessible to all communities and students, as well as to provide educational programs and field trips. The Foundation also advocates for water stewardship. To draw attention to conservation, the CEC features hands-on exhibits as well as an art installation made from recycled plastic water bottles.
Union Station, in addition to the Aquarium, has welcomed many attractions designed by PGAV Destinations. Most of these attractions were also designed by the creative studio. The attractions include a ferris wheel that is 200 feet tall, a St. Louis Carousel that measures 36 feet wide, an 18-hole miniature golf course, retro-style Soda Foundation restaurant, A-Maze Ing Discoveries Mirror Maze, and a brand new indoor high ropes course. There are also outdoor and indoor plazas and outdoor playgrounds.
Annually, more than 1,000,000 people are expected to visit the St. Louis Aquarium.
About the St. Louis Aquarium
America’s newest aquarium, however, is also one that is the most technologically advanced and hands-on. The St. Louis Aquarium forms the heart of a $187million family entertainment complex located at the St. Louis Union Station train station. The 120,000-square-foot aquarium houses more than 13,000 animals. It greets visitors with a virtual train ride to see the confluence between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. John Goodman, a St. Louis native actor, leads the tour. The Confluence Gallery displays fish that live in America’s great river systems. The Global Rivers gallery showcases fish from the Amazon and includes beautiful, copper-flecked Piranhas. Two-story home with a waterfall and pool, the North American River Otters are playful. An animated Otter Chat lets guests talk to Tommy the Otter, and learn more about these beloved animals. Shark Canyon showcases stunning views of 60 sharks and their rays at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. The Deep exhibit features animals that live in deep waters, such as endangered Leafy Sea Dragons and jellyfish. Visitors can touch and feel rays, invertebrates, and doctor fish throughout the exhibit. https://www.stlouisaquarium.com/