Real Estate · Virginia Key
Miami Seaquarium Closes After 70 Years on Virginia Key
Fort Lauderdale Certified staff
· 1 min read
Virginia Key · November 11, 2026
The Miami Seaquarium, a 38-acre oceanarium on Virginia Key in Miami-Dade County, Florida, closed on October 12, 2025, after 70 years of operation. The park was founded in 1955 and was one of the oldest continuously operating oceanariums in the United States.
Miami-Dade County owned the property and leased it to The Dolphin Company, which served as operator. The seaquarium attracted more than 500,000 visitors annually and employed around 225 people.
In March 2024, Miami-Dade County sent a lease termination notice to The Dolphin Company, giving the operator until April 21 to vacate. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava cited a "long and troubling history of violations." On March 31, 2025, The Dolphin Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The seaquarium closed on October 12, 2025.
Key facts
AI-generated summary, checked by our team. How we use AI
- Miami-based Terra Group, led by CEO David Martin, has unveiled plans to redevelop the Miami Seaquarium property on Virginia Key, according to the caption.
- The caption describes the project as a "$100 million transformation."
- The proposal includes an 83,000-square-foot aquarium that would not house marine mammals.
- A 118,000-square-foot marine research and education center is planned in collaboration with Miami Rosenstiel, the caption states.
- The plans call for a 295-slip public marina.
- A free waterfront promenade, restaurants and recreational attractions are included in the proposal.
- The project would include coral restoration, living shorelines and environmental improvements to Biscayne Bay, per the caption.
- The plans also include restoring the historic Golden Dome and Flipper House.
- The project is still moving through the county approval process, and a key lease decision was recently postponed, the caption says.
- Renderings are attributed to Terra Group Miami.
- Miami Seaquarium is a 38-acre marine life park located on Virginia Key in Miami, Florida.[1]
- Miami Seaquarium was established in 1955 and is one of the oldest oceanariums in the United States.[1]
Sources
Keep reading
01 / 04
More from Fort Lauderdale
Food & Drink · Flagler Village
Nov 10
Waxrite Vinyl Listening Bar to Open in Flagler Village on December 10
Waxrite Vinyl Listening Bar opens in Flagler Village on December 10, 2026, at 828 NE 4th Ave.
Food & Drink · Las Olas Boulevard
Nov 10
Big Time Restaurant Group Turns Big City Tavern into French Brasserie Parisol
Big Time Restaurant Group will open French brasserie Parisol at the former Big City Tavern site in mid-January 2027.
People · Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Nov 9
Building something in Fort Lauderdale?
Get the editorial treatment.
72.3k people follow the publication. A feature is an editorial carousel on the feed, a permanent article on the publication, and story coverage on publish day. Features start at $350.