Lauder gift of $10M will fund science center expansion in West Palm Beach

A $10 million gift in Leonard and Judy Lauder's name will fund the Judy and Leonard Lauder Hall of Science at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach, with the new building expected by the end of 2027.

A $10 million gift in the name of Leonard Lauder and his widow, Judy, will support the centerpiece of an expansion at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. The donation is designated for the Judy and Leonard Lauder Hall of Science, a planned 75,000-square-foot building. Construction began in May 2024 at the center's Dreher Park site and officials expect completion by the end of 2027. The Lauder gift follows an earlier $5 million contribution to the center announced in 2023. Key details: - Amount and naming: a $10 million gift in Leonard and Judy Lauder's name to fund the Judy and Leonard Lauder Hall of Science. - Size and features: the planned 75,000-square-foot building will include four immersive galleries (an aquarium, a traveling exhibit hall, a digital exhibit gallery and a STEAM studio), a café and four classrooms. - Timeline and location: construction began in May 2024 at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach; officials expect the new building by the end of 2027. - Prior and partner support: the Lauder gift follows a $5 million Lauder contribution announced in 2023; other recent donors include a $7.5 million naming gift from Alina de Almeida and John Paulson for a STEAM Studio and private underwriting of exhibits by local supporters. - Campus growth: plans call for the indoor/outdoor campus to increase from about 35,000 square feet to more than 100,000 square feet, and for the aquarium to grow from 10,000 gallons to 160,000 gallons. - Visitor goals: the expansion aims to enable the center to serve nearly 1 million guests in-person and virtually each year. Summary: The Lauder gift advances the Cox Science Center's capital campaign and underwrites the Hall of Science, expanding exhibit and education space at the Dreher Park campus. Construction is underway and officials expect the new building and related campus upgrades to open by the end of 2027.