Balboa Park's Botanical Building reopens with new features
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A view of the lily pond and Botanical Building before the major restoration. Photo: Mickey Strider/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Balboa Park's Botanical Building and Gardens is finally ready for visitors again.
Why it matters: The historic and iconic structure at San Diego's famous landmark is three years into a $28.5 million renovation project meant to restore its original 1915 design with modern upgrades.
The latest: With phase one of the reconstruction project complete, the Botanical Building fully reopens Dec. 9 with regular operating hours from 10am-4pm.
Driving the news: The newly restored attraction made its debut with limited hours during the city's December Nights festival.
- Park visitors can stroll through the exotic and flowering plant life on Dec. 6 from 1-7pm and Dec. 7 from noon-6pm.
Zoom in: This first phase repaired and preserved the original architecture while adding features, including a digital misting system and lighting for evening displays.
- The building and gardens are home to more than 2,100 plants. Many were moved to an offsite nursery for the duration of the project and will be replanted when construction is complete.
Fun facts: Built as part of the Panama-California Exposition, the Botanical Building is one of the largest wood lath structures in the world.
- It's one of four structures that were designed to be permanent features in the park.
Between the lines: This project is a major beneficiary of the city's partnership with non-profit Forever Balboa Park, which formed in 2021 to help care for the park and raise money for improvements.
- The first phase — managed and paid for mostly by the city, plus state and private funding — was delayed and $7 million more expensive than planned.
- Under new leadership, Forever Balboa Park will manage the second phase that's expected to cost $10 million. In February, the group secured a three-year, special use permit from the city to expedite maintenance and beautification projects.
The intrigue: The city is also revisiting the park's master plan as it solicits bids to revitalize other attractions, including the Starlight Bowl and Village Grill.
What's next: Forever Balboa Park still needs to raise millions to continue phase two upgrades that will further enhance the outdoor gardens with new, sustainable landscaping and irrigation, rebuild the historic pergola and add more visitor amenities.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new photos and information about the full reopening.