Longwood Gardens to soon debut $250M makeover
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Find your inner tranquility at Longwood Gardens' new West Conservatory. Photo: Courtesy of Ngoc Minh Ngo/Reed Hilderbrand
Longwood Gardens will unveil its $250 million renovation next month.
Why it matters: The upgrades are the biggest makeover to the Kennett Square gardens in a century.
Driving the news: The project adds glasshouses, office space and plants while relocating and enhancing existing structures, including its 1906 restaurant.
- Longwood will debut the upgrades Nov. 22, the same day as the launch of its annual Christmas lights show.
Flashback: Work began on the project in early 2021.
Biggest addition: The West Conservatory is a 32,000-square-foot glasshouse featuring a Mediterranean-inspired garden of pools, fountains and plants.
- Beside it is a new Bonsai Courtyard.
What else: 1906, which opens Friday, was relocated and expanded to 300 seats. Expect views of the Main Fountain Garden and new seasonal menus.
- Plus: an education and administration building with classrooms and a library, called The Grove.
- The project also preserved several glasshouses and renovated the Waterlily Court, the latter of which will open in the spring of 2025.
Meanwhile, the Cascade Garden has been relocated to a new 3,800-square-foot glasshouse filled with tropical plantings.
If you go: Tickets are $17-$32, but prices will change to $23-$42 starting Nov. 22. Children under 5 years old are free. Hours vary.