Beautifully renovated interior
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Entrance
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Detail shot of the Baroque entrance
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Above the entrance is a carving of Neptune, the Roman god of the seas, and Detroit's seal and motto: Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus (“We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes”)
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Aquarium interior
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Beautiful historic Albert Kahn-designed building
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Belle Isle Aquarium exterior
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Another View
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Neptune hangs out above the aquarium's entrance.
Photo by Dan Austin of HistoricDetroit.org
The wait to get inside the aquarium were two hours long at times Feb. 4, 2012 - proof that Detroit wants the aquarium reopened full time.
Photo by Dan Austin of HistoricDetroit.org
Belle Isle Aquarium side entrance
Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The city seal above the aquarium's entrance
Photo by Dan Austin of HistoricDetroit.org
The Baroque entrance of the aquarium.
Photo by Dan Austin of HistoricDetroit.org
Photo by KARI SMITH for HistoricDetroit.org
Photo by KARI SMITH for HistoricDetroit.org
Photo by KARI SMITH for HistoricDetroit.org
The aquarium and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
Photo by KARI SMITH for HistoricDetroit.org
The Belle Isle Aquarium in 2009, four years after then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick closed it, citing budget issues.
Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives
A backstage area at the aquarium.
Paul Hitz (www.paulhitzphotography.com) for HistoricDetroit.org
Paul Hitz (www.paulhitzphotography.com) for HistoricDetroit.org
A backstage area at the aquarium.
Paul Hitz (www.paulhitzphotography.com) for HistoricDetroit.org
Paul Hitz (www.paulhitzphotography.com) for HistoricDetroit.org
A backstage area at the aquarium.
Paul Hitz (www.paulhitzphotography.com) for HistoricDetroit.org
A backstage area at the aquarium.
Paul Hitz (www.paulhitzphotography.com) for HistoricDetroit.org
The aquarium was closed in 2005 because of budget reasons but has since reopened.
Photo by Jack P. Johnson for HistoricDetroit.org
The Belle Isle Aquarium is now inspiring awe in a new generation after having been closed for nearly a decade.
Photo by Jack P. Johnson for HistoricDetroit.org
Almost as soon as the aquarium was closed, efforts were held to reopen it.
Photo by Jennifer Baross for HistoricDetroit.org
The keystone over the aquarium's entrance features Neptune, god of the sea.
Photo by Jennifer Baross for HistoricDetroit.org
The green-tiled ceiling is to simulate being under the water.
Photo by Jack P. Johnson for HistoricDetroit.org
The entrance of the aquarium on a stunning sunny day
Photo by Kanako KoKo Koseki for HistoricDetroit.org
The entrance of the Belle Isle Aquarium
Photo by Jack P. Johnson for HistoricDetroit.org
