Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Marks Primate Forest Milestone and Unveils Details of CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo celebrated a monumental moment today with the final beam raising of the current construction phase of the much-anticipated Primate Forest and CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home. The milestone marks a significant step toward the transformation of the former RainForest into a dynamic new destination set to open in 2026.

For the first time, the Zoo is unveiling new interior renderings and exciting details of what guests can expect when the Primate Forest opens its doors next year. The reimagined space will offer a multi-sensory, immersive experience designed to connect guests to nature and wildlife like never before.

At the heart of the project is the CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home, a new, vibrant community gathering space that serves as the entryway into the Primate Forest destination. This experience uses advanced technology to immerse guests in the sights and sounds of the forest, setting the stage for a journey through tropical habitats and into dynamic new spaces for dining, gathering, and play. 

Visitors will be welcomed by the "Hero Tree", a touch-activated centerpiece that anchors the entry and symbolizes the interconnectedness of all life within the forest. The first floor also includes an expansive new food court and retail space, including rentable spaces. The second level of the space will include the Orangutan Adventure Playscape, an imaginative playscape designed to inspire exploration and adventure among the Zoo’s youngest guests.

The Learning Gallery, located on the second level, invites hands-on exploration through dynamic spaces such as the Connections Studio, Forest Theater, and Sustainable Future Design Lab. The Connections Studio showcases diverse personal stories of individuals who transformed their passions into conservation action. The domed Forest Theater immerses guests in compelling narratives of forests both local and global. In the Sustainable Future Design Lab, visitors can use technology to reimagine the city of Cleveland with nature-inspired elements and project their designs for others to see.

At the Care and Conservation Center, guests will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the Zoo’s conservation efforts, including its husbandry and reintroduction work with reptiles and amphibians such as the Puerto Rican crested toad, spotted turtles, and Eastern plains garter snakes. 

Beloved RainForest species like orangutans, gharial crocodiles, and capybaras will return to the newly named Tropical Forest, which is undergoing a substantial renovation and modernization. The expanded orangutan habitat will feature an innovative design to bring guests closer to the Zoo’s animal care work and offer the orangutans an enriched outdoor environment, creating new and meaningful experiences for both animals and visitors. 

“It is exciting to see the project taking shape and for guests to get a sense of the size and scope of the addition to the building,” said Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Executive Director Dr. Christopher Kuhar. “We are excited to share more details of what guests can look forward to upon the grand opening next year.”

The current construction phase includes the renovation of more than 63,000 square feet of the former RainForest and an additional 33,500 square feet of new construction, including the CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home and the expanded outdoor orangutan habitat. Construction is slated for completion in 2026, and a future phase will include the Gorilla Forest, a new home for the Zoo’s growing gorilla troop. The project is a collaboration with the Zoo’s philanthropic partner, the Cleveland Zoological Society. 

“We are elated to celebrate this milestone for Primate Forest. The Zoo Society has been a joyful advocate for this transformational project since day one, and we are beyond grateful to our generous donors who have donated millions to support its progress,” said Cleveland Zoological Society Executive Director Sarah Crupi. “We still have a long road ahead, but it's meaningful to pause and celebrate this achievement as we watch Primate Forest take shape.”

As this exciting new era continues to take shape, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo invites the community to celebrate this milestone and looks forward to welcoming all to experience the Primate Forest in 2026. 

###