(Photo by LeAnn Shaw)

While flying over the Atlantic Ocean on an international trip, The Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus was struck with a big idea. Water — lots and lots of it filled with fish.

Marcus and his wife Billi had been searching for a way to repay the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia for supporting his home- improvement business. His brainstorm to build an aquarium fit the bill. It would attract tourists and locals, people of all ages from pre-schoolers to senior citizens.

On Wednesday, Nov. 23, Marcus’ vision becomes a reality with the opening of the Georgia Aquarium. No parades or fireworks. Just fish. More than 100,000 sea creatures from 500 species swimming in more than 8 million gallons of marine and fresh water will command attention. Touted as the largest aquarium in the world, the Georgia Aquarium dwarfs the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, 118 miles to the north.

With their $200-plus million gift, the Marcuses found a new way to share their largesse, already evidenced by the philanthropy of the Marcus Foundation. “As I traveled around the world for The Home Depot, whenever I had some spare time, I would find myself visiting the local aquarium,” Marcus said. “It was interesting to me that people of all ages, all colors and all walks of life would be there, and they all had smiles on their faces. They were as mesmerized by the fish as I was. We were all like kids looking into the tanks.”

The Georgia Aquarium juts toward Baker Street like the bow of a ship. Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates was the local firm that designed the 550,000-square-foot. boat-shaped building (see article on Thomas Ventulett, page 14). Once the plans were approved, decisions had to be made about what would fill this modern arc. Beluga whales were a must for Billi, and Bernie wanted whale sharks.

“I love the big fish, I love to watch them,” Marcus said. “Ralph and Norton are our whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea. We brought them here from Taiwan in June, and they were each less than 15 feet. They are now almost 20 feet, and they can grow to be 45 feet or more. We built a 6-million-gallon habitat for them.”

To fulfill Billi’s wish list, two Beluga male whales, Niko and Gaspar, were rescued from a Mexican amusement park. Three female Belugas will join them by opening day.

The aquatic wildlife will be showcased in five distinct galleries, sponsored by a variety of corporations. Populated with exotic-sounding fish such as sea goblins, giant trevally, batfish and bowmouth guitarfish, the various habitats were designed to delight and inform.

Entertainment and education will go hand in hand at the Georgia Aquarium. More than 70,000 Georgia school children will tour the facility annually – following a separate loop that bypasses the general public. Educational programs include interactive activities and lessons aligned with the Georgia performance standards for academic achievement.

Bicoastal celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck will oversee the food services, from casual menus to special events in the ballroom. CafÈ Aquaria located on the atrium level will feature food stations – including fish.

The Georgia Aquarium surfaces as one of Atlanta’s most sought-after event facilities and already has more than 500 bookings – including weddings. Dramatic views of the aquatic habitats line the 16,400-square-foot ballroom, which can hold up to 1,800 guests.

The movie theater at the aquarium breaks new ground. Instead of 3-D, Marcus has kicked the viewing experience up a notch by introducing 4-D IMAX. Moviegoers will feel like they are in the motion picture.

The Georgia Aquarium ushers further revitalization of Downtown Atlanta, continuing an urban planning trend of cities creating entertainment zones. The facility’s neighbors include the CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park, Imagine It! Children’s Museum and the World of Coca-Cola Museum scheduled to open in summer of 2007. The Coca-Cola Company donated the nine-acre site and serves as a sponsor, along with AirTran Airways, BellSouth, Georgia-Pacific, The Home Depot, Southern Company and SunTrust Banks.

A nonprofit organization oversees the aquarium’s mission “to be an entertaining, educational, and scientific institution featuring exhibits and programs of the highest standards, offering engaging guest experiences, and promoting the conservation of aquatic biodiversity throughout the world.”

Marcus said: “When Billi and I were envisioning a thank-you gift to the people of Atlanta and Georgia for their support of The Home Depot, we knew we wanted something unique and unusual. I know the Georgia Aquarium will have the same ‘wow’ factor as I remember people having the first time they walked into our stores.”

Marcus closely guarded details about the Georgia Aquarium during the construction. When asked about new acquisitions after the opening, he replied: “There are a lot of surprises yet to come.”