Belle Isle Aquarium to reopen with new improvements following pandemic closure Historic Albert Kahn-designed building has been closed since March 2020.
DETROIT – The Belle Isle Aquarium is expected to reopen July 16 after closing when the COVID pandemic began.
Designed by famed Detroit architect Albert Kahn , the Belle Isle Aquarium opened in 1904. It is the oldest aquarium in the country.
The Belle Isle Conservancy has invested $1.2 million in improvements to the aquarium during the closure that upgraded exhibits, new creatures, stabilized life support systems and more.
During the 16-month closure, special attention was made to keep the animal life healthy, happy and engaged. An aquarist -- who is also an animal behaviorist -- worked to keep the animals busy so they would languish or get depressed.
More information on the Belle Isle Aquarium can be found on its official website here .
You can watch Paula Tutman’s full story in the video above
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About the Authors Dane Kelly headshot
Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. Dane graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.
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