Orlando is moving forward with plans to build a Pulse Memorial. City Council approved plans to build a permanent monument honoring the 49 victims who died in the Pulse nightclub tragedy on June 12, 2016.
In doing this, the council also approved Winter Park firm Gomez Construction Company’s bid to build the memorial. It will be constructed at the Pulse nightclub’s former location on South Orange Avenue — a site the City of Orlando purchased in 2023 with the intent of turning it into a memorial.
It’s estimated at $12 million and is a partnership between the City of Orlando and Orange County. Orlando will contribute $7 million and the county will pay the other $5 million.
The memorial will include a space for reflection formed by the footprint of the original Pulse building.
Photo courtesy of City of Orlando
Timeline
In February 2025, the City’s Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee released renderings showing the final vision for the monument. The city also initiated a feedback period to hear from survivors of the attack + the victims’ families.
With Gomez Construction Company on the project, Mayor Buddy Dyer expects the design phase will take about nine months, with construction beginning summer 2026.
The memorial is slated to be completed by the end of 2027.
The final design features multiple spaces honoring the Pulse nightclub victims.
Photo via City of Orlando
Project design
The Pulse Memorial is designed to honor the 49 victims while serving as a space for reflection, resilience, and hope. The site will have multiple spaces, including:
- Visitor Pavilion — a welcoming area with limited exhibition + indoor gathering spaces.
- Angel Ellipse Site — an elliptical walkway and canopy with 49 rainbow, glass columns honoring the victims.
- A memorial and reflection space in the footprint of the original Pulse building.
- Survivor’s Commons — a tribute wall for survivors of the attack with a seating area + designated survivor’s tree.
- Private Gathering Space — designed for personal reflection with the “Angel Personal Effects Capsule,” dedicated spaces for each of the 49 victims.
- A reflection pool positioned where the dance floor used to be.
- A healing + prism garden
Based on the current design plans, the space will be open to the public 24/7. It will also feature lighting, security, ADA-compliant walkways, on-site Wi-Fi, and public restrooms.
