From The Ground Up: The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure addition

Owner: Butterfly Cathedral LLC
General contractor: Base Construction & Management LLC
Architects: H Design Group LLC 
Designer: Simmons Design Group LLC (Orlando, Florida)
Engineers: Olsson Inc., civil; RTM Engineering Consultants LLC, structural; and CJD Engineering LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 44,700 square feet
Cost: $11.5 million
Lender: Central Bank
Estimated completion: June 2027
Project description: An expansion is being built to double the size of The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure in Branson. The expansion, constructed of concrete and steel with glass curtain walls, will extend the programming as well as providing new office space. Base Construction & Management officials say the project will include an expanded butterfly aviary. There will also be a third level added for public access to greenhouse space and other rooftop exhibits. The visitor experience will also be enhanced by interactive full-size displays and scenery, construction officials say. The project is rounded out by a new event center and additional parking areas. The Butterfly Palace website touts 1,000-plus live butterflies in the aviary, with 40-60 species present. Visitors are given a nectar flower they can use to feed the butterflies during their visit. Orlando-based Simmons Design Group, which serves the themed entertainment, resort and hospitality industries, is assisting with design work for the attraction.