Merlin Entertainments has announced two additions to the under-development American Dream New Jersey mega mall, with the operator’s premier Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Centre coming to the shopping and entertainment centre when it opens in 2017.

Being developed by the Triple Five Group of Companies, the Sealife and Legoland Discovery Centre complex will cover 70,000sq ft (6,500sq m) and will be featured as major destinations within American Dream.

The Sea Life aquarium – the first to open in New Jersey – will include a variety of marine life and a tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel. The Legoland Discovery Centre will feature a 4D cinema, Lego brick pool, rides and sessions with Lego master builders.

“Legoland and Sea Life are iconic national and international brands which perfectly fit with our vision to create a retail and entertainment destination that appeals to both tourists and local residents,” said Don Ghermezian, president of Triple Five. “Merlin delivers a high quality, interactive visitor experience that is both educational and fun. It simply cannot be duplicated.”

Merlin CEO Nick Varney added: “North America continues to be an important development area for Merlin, and projects like American Dream, which offer a combination of high quality leisure, retail and food and drink, are what we believe to be the ideal locations for our global attraction brands.

“We see enormous potential for both attractions here and are delighted to be working with Triple Five.”

American Dream New Jersey is scheduled to open in Q3 2017 after more than a decade of development, which Triple Five took over in 2011.