SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment breaks ground on new Orlando headquarters

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment celebrated the groundbreaking of its new headquarters to be based at SeaWorld Orlando last month. The 40,725 square foot (3,783 sq m), three-story building will be a shared home for ambassadors from the current Park Support Center and at the SeaWorld Orlando park.

“Today is much more than the groundbreaking of a new building,” said John Reilly, Interim CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “It is about the foundation we are continuing to fortify and build upon as a company to extend and carry out our mission – to save species, learn about them, protect them, educate others about them, and help them flourish, both in our care and in the wild.”

The celebration included local community and tourism leaders, including Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Visit Orlando’s George Aquel. The audience also included the Millennia Gardens Elementary School Eco Club, a local group of students that have been inspired by the SeaWorld Orlando Rescue Team and grow lettuce that feeds rescued and rehabilitating manatees.

Animal ambassadors including Mattie, a rescued bald eagle, and Dunder, an Asian small clawed river otter, were also on hand to help greet guests. Discovery Cove’s most prolific diggers – resident three-banded armadillos – assisted with the iconic groundbreaking moment.

The new building is projected to open in Autumn 2019.