The US$305m (€278.2m, £235.1m) Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is celebrating its grand opening today following a major expansion and redevelopment.
The hotly-anticipated museum – which sits in a prominent location on Miami’s waterfront in the city's Museum Park – has navigated through difficult circumstances to reach this stage.
Pharmaceutical entrepreneurs Patricia and Phillip Frost had to step in last year to fill a US$45m (€41m, £34.7m) funding shortfall, while its CEO, Gillian Thomas, announced her sudden retirement in July last year after 13 years in charge of the science museum.
In April 2016, Miami-Dade County also approved a separate US$45m bailout to cover swelling construction costs.
Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the 250,000sq ft (32,225sq m) building is structured around a ‘living core’ which comprises terrestrial and aquatic exhibits. The Museum of Science features a 510,000 gallon aquarium, planetarium, health and science gallery, hands-on exhibits and interactive digital technology.
Touted as the “next generation” of science museum, the attraction incorporates advanced communications and energy-conservation technology, as well as a host of visitor-friendly features.
Speaking to
Attractions Management before her retirement, Thomas said the development would be "the glue" for Miami’s waterfront, adding that not all exhibits would be there on day one, but that they would be added over time.
“We see the museum as a kind of canvas, and some elements will come along later,” she said.
