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Moody Gardens

GRS partner Gilbane has served as the construction manager on all phases of The Moody Gardens Complex, and we have achieved success by providing workable solutions to the unique challenges

Master planned project on a 250 acre site that has been continuously developed for over 20 years

Click here to view story of our “Award Winning” Aquarium renovation project at Moody Gardens
If ever a project incorporated multiple varieties of construction with both design and building proceeding at the same time, it is Moody Gardens. This project is a master planned multi-use 250-acre complex, which has been in continuous development for over 20 years. As part of a continuing alliance with Moody Gardens, GRS partner Gilbane has provided design oversight and construction management services for the complex.
GRS partner Gilbane has served as the construction manager on all phases of The Moody Gardens Complex. We have faced multiple unique situations with building on Galveston Island and have responded with workable solutions to successfully complete all projects. Such issues include: dealing with precast piles reaching 80’ depth; dewatering systems; building humidity issues; structural fill of 5’ – 7’ per building to raise above the acceptable sea level for flood insurance; water treatment facilities; and assuring wind load testing is performed on critical areas.
Phase III – Included the addition and renovation of the Hope Arena, conference center, pier and dock facility, 100-foot glass pyramid conservatory and tropical rain forest, 400-seat 3D I-Max theatre, visitors center and 300,000 gallon water treatment facility.
Phase IV – Included a new 100-foot glass pyramid housing a state-of-the-art aquarium with four major exhibits and an ocean theatre. The facility has a 1,000,000 gallon and three 250,000 gallon tanks housing hundreds of species of marine life and a new 100-foot glass pyramid discovery museum including a NASA exhibit and three I-Max ride theatres.
Phase V – The most recent $130 million phase included construction of a 128-room hotel expansion, a convention center expansion.
Other projects include:

  • Discovery Museum – worked with Nickelodeon to develop a 4D interactive theater, the only one of its type in the United States
  • Construction of temporary exhibit housing an ice exhibit which had to be cooled to 9 degree to keep 900 tons of ice frozen along the warm Gulf of Mexico
  • Renovation of Rain Forest and construction of the Ropes course
  • Renovation and Expansion of Palm Beach, including lazy river and wave pool
  • Renovation of Hotel, including lobby and custom suites
  • Renovation of the Aquarium including the addition of a centerpiece Gulf tank, and a world class jellyfish exhibit