the belle isle aquarium is a public aquarium located in belle isle park in detroit, michigan. designed by architect albert kahn, it opened on august 18, 1904, and was the oldest continually operating public aquarium in north america when it closed on april 3, 2005. the aquarium reopened to the public on august 18, 2012, and is now run by the belle isle conservancy. the 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) historic building features a single large gallery with an arched ceiling covered in green glass tile to evoke an underwater feeling. the aquarium was operated by the detroit zoological society prior to the 2005 closure. it is currently operated by the belle isle conservancy.