This year, PGAV celebrated 60 years of creating destinations around the world, all while continuing to do so throughout this year as well.
Throughout 2025, PGAV projects around the world opened — from immersive zoo and marine experiences to water-park firsts and a new aviation museum master plan.
Palm Beach Zoo | Tiger Forest
West Palm Beach, Florida
Elevated trails, glass viewing, and “nose-to-nose” moments bring guests closer than ever to tigers. Immersive storytelling and hands-on learning spotlight global conservation and the vital importance of protected habitats.
Air Zoo | Strategic Vision & Master Plan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
PGAV’s comprehensive master plan charts the next chapter for the Air Zoo’s 50-acre campus. Home to more than 100 rare aircraft and 100,000+ artifacts, this Smithsonian-affiliated destination is poised to soar for decades to come.
SeaWorld San Diego | Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience
San Diego, California
This 360° journey mesmerizes guests with glowing jellyfish, playful color environments, and first-of-their-kind interactives. Across three galleries, visitors drift into the surreal—and discover the delicate ocean ecosystems these ethereal creatures support.
Chimelong Guangzhou Water Park | Major Expansion
Guangzhou, China
Chimelong’s largest expansion yet introduces two world-first attractions:
- The world’s first Launched HydroMAGNETIC LIM Mammoth Coaster, featuring Asia’s first FlyingSAUCER 60
- The world’s first HIVE 35 family tower complex, anchored by an industry-first Double TORNADO 60
Philadelphia Zoo | Flamingo Cove
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This lush walkthrough habitat invites guests into a vibrant wetland world shared by Caribbean and African greater flamingos. Expanded space supports natural social behaviors while highlighting the importance of wetland conservation.
Columbus Zoo | North America Trek
Powell, Ohio
North America Trek is the Zoo’s most ambitious expansion in decades. Guests wander through landscapes inspired by Smoky Mountain forests, western canyons, and northern wetlands. Highlights include:
- Expansive habitats for black bears, Mexican wolves, bald eagles, river otters, and more—many rescued or rehabilitated.
- The Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation, celebrating local species and restoration efforts.
- Sustainability-driven design with accessible paths, reused materials, rescued trees, natural rockwork, and green roofs.
Designed by PGAV Destinations and built by Pepper Construction, this eight-acre realm reconnects guests with the wild heart of North America.
San Antonio Zoo | Congo Falls
San Antonio, Texas
Congo Falls is a two-acre, next-generation habitat for eight western lowland gorillas, featuring a 60-foot climbing tower and dynamic, enrichment-driven terrain. Designed to prioritize animal agency, the habitat offers immersive perspectives on gorilla behavior, conservation, and the challenges facing wild habitats today.
San Antonio Zoo | The Ralston Event Center
San Antonio, Texas
Overlooking the new Congo Falls habitat, The Ralston is a skyline-facing event venue with sweeping views into a two-acre gorilla habitat.
Other project openings in 2025 included:
- St. Louis Adventure Park
- Busch Gardens Tampa: Meercats
- Celebration Key
- Grandfather Mountain
- Journey of Flight Master Plan
- Multiple Campus Plans
“We love to celebrate the opening of remarkable landmark projects, and it allows us to also look ahead—to the next stories we’ll help tell, the next guests we’ll inspire, and the next opportunities to elevate experiences around the world,” said Emily Howard, PGAV Principal. “Each completed attraction reflects years of collaboration, innovation, and trust, and each one lays the groundwork for what comes next. With new projects already underway and bold ideas in development, PGAV remains committed to shaping the future of destinations through thoughtful design leadership, immersive storytelling, and a relentless focus on the guest experience into 2026 and beyond.”
