Georgia Aquarium

Bernie Marcus, cofounder of Atlanta-based Home Depot wanted to give a give to Atlanta a gift. The son of Russian Jews who grew up in New York remembered the aquarium from his days as a youth at Coney Island. He decided to give Atlanta a world-class attraction that would serve to educate and thrill both locals and visitors. Atlanta had been developing a strong convention presence, but was lagging behind in the attractions needed to support the conventions.

Initially, many locations were considered, including Atlanta Underground and the proposed Atlantic Station, but the Marcus Foundation settled on property north of Centennial Park for the site of the ship-shaped building that houses the Georgia Aquarium. The location has been at the heart of the downtown revitalization that has occurred since 1995 and is in the center of many convention attactions and hotels. CNN Center, The Omni Hotel, Georgia Dome, Centennial Park, Philips Arena and Peachtree Plaza are all within walking distance. In May, 2007 the World of Coca-Cola moved from Underground to its new location, adjacent to the Georgia Aquarium. Additionally, when the city announced a Civil Rights museum to be located in the same area in 2006.