Entertainment Hub on the Rise: 34-ton 'Octopus' at Planned Branson, MO Boardwalk and $55 Million Aquarium

(IMAGE CREDIT: AQUARIUM AT THE BOARDWALK)

 BRANSON, MO – Outside the Lines (OTL), a design-build construction company that specializes in creating one-of-a-kind water features, fountains, rockwork and themed environments, has announced the construction of a ground-up show fountain in the lake at Branson’s developing entertainment complex, Branson Boardwalk.

 The center’s 12,500 square-foot cascading lake is located along a prime section of the Highway 76 Entertainment District and is adjacent to Aquarium at the Boardwalk.

  This $55 million project, the first attraction developed at the Branson Boardwalk, focuses on fish and fun. Its exterior icon is a giant 34-ton stainless steel octopus sculpture fabricated by Demiurge whose tentacles will soon be tickled by a visually stunning water-effects fountain designed and constructed by OTL.

J. Wickham Zimmerman

 

“Branson Boardwalk and Aquarium at the Boardwalk were designed to meet the demand for fresh offerings in a well-loved destination with more than nine million visitors each year,” says J. Wickham Zimmerman, Chief Executive Officer of OTL.

  "The center showcases the increasing importance of themed entertainment for property owners and developers, especially over the last year and a half, as the retail sector was one of the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 As part of its master plan for the 13-acre property, Kuvera Partners, owner and operator of Branson Boardwalk and Aquarium at the Boardwalk, envisioned a thrilling show fountain as an anchor attraction.

Tej Sundher

 “We visited the show fountain OTL designed and built at The Island in Pigeon Forge and knew instantly something similar would be the perfect fit to drive additional foot traffic and create a more effective sense of place for Branson Boardwalk,” says Tej Sundher, Partner at Kuvera Partners. 

 “This fountain show will both activate the lake at the front of the property and offer an immersive experience for guests throughout the space,” Sundher explains.

 “We are proud and delighted to add this new attraction to the Branson Boardwalk.”

 This one-of-a-kind show fountain will incorporate the property’s existing 34-ton, 55-foot-tall octopus sculpture.

  Made up of hundreds of polyhedral plates and internally illuminated with color-changing LED lights, the octopus will be integrated into the show fountain’s control system; when a fountain show is displayed, the octopus will become an extension of the show.

 Chris Roy

 “Deeper and more subtle immersion is an increasing trend in the world of retail and themed environments,” says Chris Roy, OTL’s Director of Creative Design.

 “By combining carefully designed visual and audio effects with high-level programming and technology, the property’s new show fountain will be visible from everywhere at the Boardwalk, adding a unifying element to the area and magnifying the guest experience.”

 Located at 2700 West 76 Country Blvd. in Branson, Missouri, Aquarium at the Boardwalk is one of the newest attractions in the city and offers 10 zones of “fish and fun” with experiences such as a submarine adventure, jelly infinity room, and mermaid palace, among others.

 In addition to the show fountain, planned for a spring 2022 launch, the property is continuing to add photo-worthy refreshment stands, ultimately creating an entertainment hub.

 

CONTACTS:

Katie Haga and Anthea Davis  

Jenn Quader Brower Group

(949) 438-6262

khaga@brower-group.com