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Brighton Aquarium was conceived and designed by Eugenius Birch, the architect responsible for the West Pier. Work began in 1869 and the building opened in 1872. The project cost £133,000 (equivalent to around £5.5million by 2001 standards).
The Aquarium proved an initial success with the town's fashionable visitors. In addition to the marine life on display, a number of other attractions were available. These included a conservatory, a reading room, and a roller-skating rink on the roof terrace.
This success proved short-lived, however. In 1901 financial difficulties forced the sale of the Aquarium to the Brighton Corporation. Although matters improved, the Corporation decided to extensively modernise the building in 1927. This reconstruction work led to the alteration of much of Birch's original design.
In the years following this redevelopment, the Aquarium has hosted a number of attractions. These have included nightclubs, cinemas and a motor museum.
Brighton Aquarium is now a Sea Life Centre.
View photographs of Brighton Aquarium.
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