24 February 2025 | Photo: Pulse Orlando

A decade after the tragedy, plans for the $7.5 million memorial take shape

The long-anticipated memorial commemorating the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting has now reached a pivotal milestone, with its final design officially approved.

Orlando’s Pulse Advisory Committee has given the green light to the project, which will transform the site of the former nightclub into a place of remembrance and reflection, set to open nearly a decade after the tragic attack.

The Pulse nightclub, a landmark of Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community, became the site of a devastating mass shooting in 2016, in which 49 lives were lost and 68 others injured. The assailant was fatally shot by police following a three-hour standoff.

Following a unanimous vote by Orlando city commissioners in 2023 to purchase the property for $2 million, plans for the memorial have been in careful development. After months of public consultations and design refinements, the final blueprint was approved on 4 February, with an estimated construction cost of $7.5 million.

According to Mixmag, the memorial will feature a visitor centre housing an exhibition space, a reflection pool positioned where the dancefloor once stood, and a tribute wall, where a tree will be planted in honour of each victim.

Further elements include a serene garden with an elliptical walkway, adorned with 49 colourful glass panels, symbolising those who lost their lives. A private gathering space will also be incorporated, allowing loved ones to leave flowers and mementos in quiet remembrance.

Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan described the process as a “thoughtful” one, shaped by the voices of victims’ families and survivors. Speaking to Advocate, she shared her relief over the decision to demolish the existing structure, calling it a “gaping wound” in the heart of the community. “We will move forward as a city and get this completed so there is a respectful place to honour victims and survivors,” she added.

With construction now on track, the Pulse Memorial is set to open to the public in autumn 2025, offering a permanent space for collective remembrance, healing, and hope.

See below for renderings of the proposed design.