How a $250 million donation created the world's largest indoor aquatic habitat in Atlanta.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2005, Atlanta unveiled a massive aquarium funded by a $250 million gift from Home Depot co-founder Bernard Marcus. Today, it remains the largest in the United States, housing thousands of animals in 11 million gallons of water, including whale sharks, beluga whales, and manta rays in specialized, high-tech environments.

The Georgia Aquarium was born from the vision of Bernard Marcus, who, after touring 56 aquariums across 13 countries with his wife, Billi, sought to create a facility that balanced education with economic growth. Opened in November 2005 on land donated by The Coca-Cola Company, the project was bolstered by an additional $40 million in corporate contributions, allowing it to launch debt-free. Its centerpiece, the Ocean Voyager exhibit, holds 6.3 million gallons of water and was designed to house whale sharks—a first for any institution outside of Asia.

The facility operates as a complex research and conservation hub, partnering with institutions like Georgia Tech and Florida Atlantic University. Its mission extends to monitoring environmental health through the study of bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon and managing coral restoration projects to combat bleaching in the Florida Keys. The aquarium maintains rigorous standards for its residents, including a stainless steel commissary kept at -20 °F to store 20,000 pounds of frozen food. In 2026, the aquarium participated in the relocation of beluga whales from the closed Marineland of Canada, integrating them into its existing pod.

Despite its success, the aquarium has faced significant scrutiny regarding its animal welfare practices. A 2015 attempt to import 18 belugas from Russia was blocked by the National Marine Fisheries Service, a decision upheld by a federal court. Additionally, the captive breeding program for belugas has been a subject of intense public debate, particularly following the deaths of calves born to the whale Maris. The institution continues to evolve, recently introducing AI-powered mobile tools to assist visually impaired guests, reflecting a broader shift toward accessibility and modern conservation science.

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