Imagine a lush escape in the midst of a desert. Developers are bringing to life an expansive indoor rainforest, a whopping 93,000 square feet, teeming with free-flying birds, sloths, snakes, and a variety of exotic flora in Arizona’s arid Sonoran Desert.
Nestled on 10.5 acres of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community land, close to Scottsdale, this four-story project is named Paradise Earth and is being presented as the largest indoor rainforest in North America.
The proposed wildlife exhibit will also host freshwater fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. A presentation submitted to tribal officials highlights some of these features.
Visitors will be able to traverse this climate-controlled jungle along pathways at three different heights: the forest floor, understory, and canopy level.
According to promotional materials, guests can look forward to close encounters with zookeepers caring for sloths, interact with birds from a wooden bridge, and watch waterfowl navigate lily pads while the sounds of a rainforest ambiance fill the air.
There are plans for a live bird show, a play area for children equipped with climbing structures, and even an animatronic attraction named “Welcome to the Jungle.”
The vision for Paradise Earth includes a treehouse surrounded by high-definition screens, which will create the impression that this rainforest extends endlessly, transforming into a light and sound spectacle as day turns to night.
Guests would also have the option to dine at Roost, a restaurant themed to resemble a grand Victorian birdcage, offering sights of birds soaring overhead.
Interestingly, this Arizona jungle is influenced by California. The architectural firm Gensler, based in San Francisco, is involved in the design of the project, while Los Angeles’s Entertainment Design Corporation is focusing on visitor experiences.
Paradise Earth is set to join other attractions like the OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland at the Arizona Boardwalk. However, the project has faced some delays, reminiscent of the slow pace of its future sloth residents.
The development has been in the pipeline since at least 2018 and was initially planned to open in 2020. Unfortunately, work was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the approval process only resumed in 2022.
Notably, some local families had already purchased lifetime passes before the actual construction began, though it was reported that refunds were available if requested.
More recently, the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community Council expressed concerns, leading to a postponement on a vote regarding the conditional use permit. Questions arose about water consumption, waste management, and whether the intense summer heat might adversely affect the animal life below the glass-covered upper levels.
One council member likened the proposal to “Jurassic Park,” reflecting the mixed feelings surrounding the project.
Development teams assured that the facility would be climate-controlled and claimed that the glass ceiling would work similarly to that in the Butterfly Wonderland.
Despite the delay in approvals extending the project’s timeline, developers remain committed to building Paradise Earth. However, even with a conditional use permit, subsequent design reviews and construction permit approvals are necessary before any actual groundbreaking can take place, with no opening date in sight.
