Construction underway on the Mote Science Education Aquarium in Sarasota

Published: April 5, 2024, 3:34 p.m.

Mote Marine took members of the media on a tour of the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) at University Town Center.

Construction workers use aerial lifts and a crane to assemble the frame and panels that will form the shell of the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) at University Town Center in Sarasota

Workers attach insulation panels to the steel structure forming the shell of the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA). Aluminum panels will soon cover the insulation, creating a gleaming white cone surrounding the new aquarium

A workers walks under a curved, acrylic panel that will allow visitors to observe fish in the 400,000 gallon tank in the Gulf of Mexico exhibit at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)

An electrician prepares conduit in one of the three teaching laboratories at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)

Members of the media walk through the 10,000 square--foot mult-purpose room during a tour of the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)

One of the last remaining concrete pours is the floor of the Gulf of Mexico exhibit at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)

An acrylic panel measuring 18-feet high, and 31-feet wide will give guest in the multi-purpose room a view of the 400,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico exhibit at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)

The conical shell of the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) is starting to take shape as workers assemble the steel frame and attach panels

A welder works on a staircase from the second to the third floor in the central atrium at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)

Welders work on a staircase in the three-story atrium at the center of the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA). An escalator will carry visitors to the third floor