Updated renderings and timelines have been revealed for the renovation and expansion of the Shedd Aquarium at 1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Museum Campus. Originally announced in the beginning of 2022 as part of the larger Centennial Commitment Program running through 2030, the updated timelines were released as work is set to begin soon. The aquarium itself is leading the efforts with the local office of Valerio Dewalt Train working on the design.
Rendering of new entry pavilion and garden by Valerio Dewalt Train
Rendering of new entry pavilion by Valerio Dewalt Train
Celebrating the aquarium’s 100-year anniversary, the commitment program’s goal is to expand neighborhood outreach, accelerate aquatic research, and create equitable education programs across the city. The Shedd is also involved in multiple river restoration projects as part of the research the facility conducts. Thus part of the work includes the construction of a new science hub anchored by an expanded hospital, focusing on population sustainability, water chemistry, pathology and more.
Exhibit rendering by Valerio Dewalt Train
While the completion of the hospital wasn’t included in the multi-phase timeline, most of the renovations had their completion dates revealed below:
Rendering of central entrance tanks by Valerio Dewalt Train
Summer 2024
The current Caribbean reef tank in the central atrium will be removed and replaced by two smaller tanks you can walk through with a saltwater reef and freshwater tank, the Amazon exhibit will also be refreshed. This will be joined by a new entry pavilion with updated ticketing and security facilities, surrounded by a four-acre green space used as a publicly accessible learning space and habitat for native species.
Rendering of kelp forest exhibit by Valerio Dewalt Train
Summer 2026
On the north side the existing terrace will be expanded as well as the construction of a new visitor pavilion that will be used as a learning space for visiting schools, significantly expanding the current capacity. The largest exhibit addition will also open at this time dubbed ‘Changing Oceans’ and dedicated to the different depths of the ocean and how climate change affects them. This will include the new 40-foot-long walkthrough reef, a kelp forest, and an ocean bottom experience with a simulated whale fall.
Rendering of new visitor pavilion by Valerio Dewalt Train
Winter 2026
The central grand hall will receive further updates with new interactive features and more to encourage more visitors to learn from the space. Work will also include the full renovation of the existing River Wonders and Living Lakes galleries, with new habitats and information on both which focus on the local ecosystem and keep popular elements like the Lake Sturgeon touching experience.
Rendering of Amazon exhibit by Valerio Dewalt Train
With a rough cost of $250 million and most of the funding already secured, work on the science hub has begun with the exhibits soon to follow. Construction will fully wrap up by 2027 as it also includes facade restorations, interior architecture restorations, reopening previous windows, and more to the Beaux-Arts building. Other changes to all current and new exhibits will be the inclusion of fully bilingual information panels and tags in both English and Spanish as part of ongoing efforts on accessibility.
A press release from the aquarium on the upcoming work can be found here.
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I wish the Adler Planetarium would undergo a similar renovation. It feels a bit tired.