Pulse Nightclub To Be Demolished Next Month To Make Way For Memorial
A permanent memorial and reflection space will be erected – to honor victims and survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting of 2016.
Featured Images: Renderings of designs in process via pulseorlando.org (2025)
It was nearly ten years ago that a horrific mass shooting took place at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FLA. The city of Orlando has now set a date to begin the process of tearing the building down, and installing a permanent memorial. On March 10, the sign will be removed and taken to safe storage, and demolition of the building will begin on March 18. Artifacts will also be taken to storage, such as chandeliers, track lighting, a portion of a “glitter wall,” and a cash register.
Design renderings, though not final, include a memorial and reflection space formed by the footprint of the original building; survivors commons with a tribute wall; reflection pool; and healing and prism garden.
The news is an encouraging contrast to last year’s act of depravity, when the city painted over the rainbow crosswalk outside the site. The crosswalk had served as an LGBTQ+ landmark and memorial to the 49 people murdered at the popular queer club in 2016, where 58 were also wounded. After years of delays in moving the project forward, the promise of a permanent memorial and museum is in sight.
Much of the delay has been attributed to controversy involving mishandling of the effort. The onePULSE Foundation had been charged with overseeing design plans, but it failed to live up to that promise. Ultimately the Foundation dissolved, and the state demanded the return of nearly $395,000 in taxpayer funds that onePULSE had received through a Cultural Facilities Grant.
According to local reporting, a tentative design for the memorial was approved by the committee last year, which incorporated input from survivors and family members. The Orange County government will contribute $5 million, and the state has allocated nearly $400,000 in state funds for the project. Once built, the city of Orlando will be charged with maintenance and security of the memorial.
Last month, construction fencing was erected around the area, wrapped with a purple and blue tarp which lists the names of all 49 shooting victims.
The memorial is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The city will hold a public meeting at City Hall to share a presentation on memorial design plans on Thursday, March 5, at 4 p.m. Those who cannot attend in person are invited to view the meeting virtually.
