Heart of the Zoo
This ambitious, multi-phase project sets the tone for the
entire Zoo visit with welcoming and innovative landscape and
architecture, exciting animal environments and cutting-edge,
sustainable design and operation. As an adaptive re-use and expansion
of the Zoo’s existing Main Building and associated outdoor areas, the
project is an efficient renovation of a 32-year old facility that no longer
meets the needs of our rapidly-growing audience. The Heart of the
Zoo is the project that will elevate the Zoo to world-leading status and
is a great example of a public/private partnership.
PHASE ONE PROJECT DETAILS
The first phase of the Heart of the Zoo project will increase our education program capacity and
quality, provide guests with exciting animal encounters and create a gracious and comfortable
entry experience.
PHASE ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Cargill Environmental Education Center
Designed for the thousands of students and teachers who visit the Zoo each year, the Cargill
Environmental Education Center significantly increases program capacity. This remodeled
and expanded area will centralize the Zoo’s education department functions and house the
Volunteer Headquarters for the Zoo’s 1,000 volunteers who are critical to advancing our
education mission. Among its several new classrooms is one designed to allow guests to view
into the new Penguins of the African Coast exhibit.
Target® Learning Center
This new multi-use facility occupies the footprint of the Zoo’s long-vacant whale pool. Its
primary function is an education facility for a variety of programs, including the Zoo’s
enormously popular indoor KAYTEE World of Birds free-flight show. The Target® Learning
Center boasts improved guest comfort, sight lines and audio-visual capabilities, along with
expanded seating capacity and back of house facilities.
Penguins of the African Coast exhibit (featuring black-footed penguins)
For the first time, guests will be able to experience these amazing aquatic birds eye-to-eye,
above and below water, in a replica of their spectacular, wild habitat on South Africa’s famed
Boulder’s Beach. Microphones allow guests to hear the penguins’ loud braying calls, the origin
of their nickname, “jackass” penguins.
South Entry Upgrade
The main entry to the Zoo will receive an upgrade, which include native plantings, a heated
sidewalk, updated directional signage and sculptural elements, linking the Zoo’s conservation
message, and showcasing a fun, unique experience up front for our guests.
PROJECT COST
$20 million*
*$15 million provided by the State of Minnesota; $5 million provided by the private sector,
including generous gifts from Cargill and Target
DESIGN
Lead Architect: HGA
General Contractor: Mortenson Construction
COMPLETION
Heart of the Zoo – Phase One is expected to be completed in summer 2011.