What Happened to Pulse Nightclub?
Pulse Nightclub, an LGBTQ+ venue in Orlando, Florida, was the site of a devastating mass shooting on June 12, 2016, where 49 people were killed and 53 injured. After years of stalled memorial efforts by the private onePULSE Foundation, which dissolved in late 2023 amid financial controversies, the City of Orlando acquired the property and began demolition of the original structure on March 18, 2026, to make way for a permanent public memorial slated for completion in Fall 2027.
Quick Answer
Pulse Nightclub was the scene of a horrific mass shooting on June 12, 2016, resulting in 49 deaths and 53 injuries, primarily affecting the LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities. Following the tragedy, a private foundation's efforts to build a memorial and museum faltered due to financial mismanagement and a lack of consensus. As of March 18, 2026, the City of Orlando, which purchased the property in 2023, has begun the demolition of the nightclub building to construct a permanent public memorial, with a projected opening in Fall 2027.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Pulse Nightclub Opens
Pulse, an LGBTQ+ nightclub, is founded by Barbara Poma and Ron Legler in Orlando, Florida, named in memory of Poma's brother, John, who died from AIDS.
Mass Shooting Occurs
Omar Mateen opens fire at Pulse Nightclub during 'Latin Night,' killing 49 people and injuring 53 others in what becomes one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.
City of Orlando Offers to Buy Site, Poma Declines
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer expresses plans to convert the nightclub into a memorial, and the city offers to buy the property, but owner Barbara Poma refuses to sell.
onePULSE Foundation Established
Barbara Poma announces the creation of the onePULSE Foundation to independently fund a Pulse Memorial and Museum, initially planned to open in 2022.
Interim Memorial Opens at Site
The onePULSE Foundation opens a temporary memorial at the Pulse site, which serves as a place of remembrance for several years.
onePULSE Foundation Faces Challenges, Poma Departs
The onePULSE Foundation begins to document changes as owners Barbara and Rosario Poma cannot agree to donate the property for a permanent memorial. Barbara Poma steps down from her role.
City of Orlando Purchases Pulse Property
The City of Orlando announces it has purchased the Pulse nightclub property for $2 million, with plans to demolish the existing structure and build a permanent memorial.
onePULSE Foundation Dissolves
The onePULSE Foundation's Board of Trustees votes to dissolve the nonprofit, citing unforeseen challenges and the inability to secure the nightclub site.
onePULSE Foundation's Final IRS Documents Released
Final IRS documents reveal the onePULSE Foundation operated at a deficit for years, with expenses exceeding income, and ultimately dissolved without achieving its memorial goal.
Survivors Revisit Nightclub Before Demolition
Survivors and family members of the victims are given the opportunity to walk through the long-shuttered nightclub one last time before it is razed for the permanent memorial.
Artifacts Removed from Building
The City of Orlando begins removing artifacts, such as chandeliers and the bar top, from the nightclub building to preserve them ahead of demolition.
New Memorial Design Plans Unveiled
The City of Orlando unveils 30% of the design plans for the permanent memorial, which will include a reflection pool, an 'Angel Ellipse,' and a water wall.
Pulse Sign Removed
Crews remove the iconic Pulse Nightclub sign, marking a significant step in the demolition process for the future memorial.
Demolition of Nightclub Begins
Demolition of the Pulse Nightclub building commences, nearly a decade after the tragedy, to clear the site for the construction of a permanent memorial.
Permanent Memorial Completion
The permanent memorial at the Pulse site, developed by the City of Orlando, is projected to be completed and open to the public.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Pulse Nightclub, a popular gay club in Orlando, Florida, became a site of profound tragedy on June 12, 2016, when a lone gunman, Omar Mateen, opened fire during its 'Latin Night' event. The attack resulted in the deaths of 49 people and injuries to 53 others, making it one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history and the deadliest act of violence against the LGBTQ+ community in the nation.
The perpetrator, Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old security guard, pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during the attack, citing U.S. airstrikes in Syria and Iraq as a motive. The incident sparked national conversations on gun control, terrorism, and LGBTQ+ rights, leaving a lasting impact on the Orlando community and beyond.
In the immediate aftermath, Barbara Poma, the club's owner, co-founded the onePULSE Foundation in May 2017, with the ambitious goal of creating a permanent memorial and museum on the site. The foundation raised over $20 million in donations and received significant public funds, including $10 million from Orange County. However, the project was plagued by escalating costs, reaching an estimated $100 million, and faced allegations of financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency.
Key turning points occurred in 2023 when the onePULSE Foundation's plans for a memorial and museum collapsed. Amid declining donations, internal conflicts, and an inability to secure the nightclub property as a donation from Poma, the foundation announced its dissolution in November 2023. The City of Orlando then stepped in, purchasing the Pulse property for $2 million in October 2023, committing to developing a public memorial.
As of March 18, 2026, the City of Orlando has taken significant steps toward realizing a permanent memorial. The iconic Pulse sign was removed on March 10, 2026, and demolition of the nightclub building commenced on March 18, 2026. The city unveiled initial design plans for the $12 million memorial in March 2026, which include a reflection pool, an 'Angel Ellipse' shade structure, a water wall with victims' names, and a visitor's center. Construction is expected to begin in September 2026, with a projected completion date in Fall 2027. This marks a new chapter in the community's long journey to honor the victims and provide a space for healing and remembrance.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Pulse Nightclub made different choices?