Atlantis Marine World has announced plans to build a 97,498-square-foot, $24 million expansion that will take visitors beneath the waves and beyond the ocean.
At the aquarium’s inception in June 2000, Jim Bissett and Joe Petrocelli promised that it would make an important impact on downtown Riverhead and continually reinvent itself to attract and maintain visitors each year. This year is no exception.
“This year, our Aquarium is celebrating its 10th Anniversary, and in what seems to be a wave o f new investment in downtown Riverhead, we are finally kicking off our long‐awaited phase two of our original construction plans, thanks in part to the financing by TD Bank,” announced Aquarium co‐owner and co‐founder, Jim Bissett. “This has been a long road, we have spent more than five years in design development – working with the town, the state, and the county to make sure that the best project possible would come to our downtown’s Main Street.”
The plans are set to encompass an area located on the east side of the present building in front of Treasure Cove Resort Marina. The new structure will include a 28,000-square-foot exhibition, banquet and conference center. Atlantis Marine World is also in the process of building a 70,000-square-foot Hyatt Place Hotel. The contemporary, 100-room Hyatt Place Hotel will include an indoor and outdoor pool, an intimate coffee and wine cafe, and an expansive dining area.
“Riverhead is growing into family‐friendly destination where you can experience several attractions, as well as experience its natural beauty along the scenic Peconic River. The Aquarium’s expansion is one piece of a larger plan – a plan that is still being created to help improve downtown Riverhead as a true tourist destination,” said the aquarium’s General Manager, Bryan DeLuca.
The Atlantis Marine World’s new project will help create local jobs, build tourism, and grow the family entertainment industry on Long Island. “There sure are a lot of winners with this project,” said Bissett.
The site is set to open this summer.
