Pulse Memorial Design Revealed, Opening Set for Late 2027
The City of Orlando has unveiled the design for the Pulse nightclub memorial, set to open in late 2027. The memorial will be built on the site of the 2016 mass shooting that killed 49 people and injured dozens, the deadliest hate crime against LGBTQ+ people in U.S. history. After the onePulse Foundation dissolved in 2023, the city purchased the property and demolished the building in March 2026. The design, led by Orlando-based Borrelli + Partners with construction by Gomez Construction, is expected to be finalized by August 2026, with construction beginning in September. The memorial features a 49-foot illuminated tower, a reflecting pool mirroring the original dance floor (with a preserved portion beneath), a granite water wall etched with victims' names and the phrase "For all those who just wanted to dance"—words written by journalist Daniel Foster in a viral meme after the shooting. Other elements include the Angel Ellipse walkway with rainbow-colored perforated metal, a private sanctuary with an oculus opening to the sky, a Survivors' Commons with a 70-to-100-year-old olive tree, and a Visitor Pavilion displaying artifacts like the original Pulse sign, chandelier, and photos. Remnants of the Pulse building, including crushed concrete, will be embedded throughout the site. The memorial is designed as a life-affirming, open-space concept accessible 24 hours a day, emphasizing light, color, and celebration rather than darkness.
Key facts
- Pulse nightclub mass shooting occurred June 12, 2016, killing 49 and injuring dozens.
- onePulse Foundation dissolved in 2023; City of Orlando purchased the site.
- Pulse building demolished in March 2026.
- Memorial design by Borrelli + Partners; construction by Gomez Construction.
- Design finalization expected August 2026; construction starts September 2026.
- Memorial opening scheduled for late 2027.
- 49-foot illuminated tower at corner of Orange Avenue and Esther Street.
- Reflecting pool mirrors exact dimensions of original dance floor; portion preserved beneath.
- Granite water wall etched with victims' names and phrase 'For all those who just wanted to dance'.
- Angel Ellipse walkway with rainbow perforated metal and photo-embossed water ripple columns.
- Private sanctuary with oculus; Survivors' Commons with 70-to-100-year-old olive tree.
- Visitor Pavilion displays original Pulse sign, chandelier, entry door, starburst paneling, photos.
- Crushed concrete from Pulse building incorporated into obelisk and other elements.
- Breach wall (where police entered) interred beneath obelisk.
- Memorial open 24 hours a day; most elements illuminated.
- Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer emphasized honoring the 49 and reflecting community response.
- Designer Dan-Michael Trbovich noted memorial aims for celebration of life, not darkness.
- Phrase 'For all those who just wanted to dance' became overarching narrative.
- Memorial includes country of origin flags for each victim on Angel Ellipse columns.
- Site includes existing laurel oaks and new blossoming trees (Tabebuia).
Entities
Artists
- Daniel Foster
- Robert Mapplethorpe
Institutions
- City of Orlando
- onePulse Foundation
- Borrelli + Partners
- Gomez Construction
- Pulse nightclub
Locations
- Orlando
- Florida
- United States
- Orange Avenue
- Esther Street
- Kaley Street