Balboa Park’s Botanical Building Reopens

When I recently toured the historic Botanical Building in Balboa Park, I had the feeling of being in a giant birdcage in a lush, tropical garden. The building’s central domed roof, composed of wood lathe, soars 56 feet high, capped by a decorative 24-foot cupola. Its interior is lush with greenery — 178 tropical and subtropical species from around the globe — says Jacqueline Higgins, a landscape architect and vice president of planning for Forever Balboa Park, the nonprofit committed to enhancing the park in partnership with the City of San Diego and the State of California. Thanks to that alliance, the Botanical Building is once again flourishing, more than a century since it opened.

Built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the structure was envisioned by Alfred D. Robinson, designed by architect Carleton Winslow, and built by architect Bertram Goodhue, according to Forever Balboa Park. The landmark wowed visitors to the park during the exposition and has since become one of the most photographed on the West Coast.

But over the decades, weather and wear took their toll. The building fell into disrepair due to termite damage, rust, and deferred maintenance. Now, 110 years later, the interior and outdoor fountains have been carefully restored thanks to a public-private partnership. In 2019, the state awarded $8.2 million for the project, thanks to the efforts of State Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins and Todd Gloria, then a member of the State Assembly and now San Diego Mayor. Forever Balboa Park, a primary partner on the project, raised funds for conceptual plans, renderings, and construction documents, and then donated them to the city. When construction began in January 2022, the precious botanical collection was moved to a nursery at the city’s Parks and Recreation Department for safekeeping.

For the past two years, engineers, construction crews, and botanists have been working together on the first phase, restoring the crumbling structure with its Palladian windows and graceful arcades, as well as updating antiquated irrigation and inadequate lighting. The building now has interior misters and water features, enhanced LED lighting, improved ADA access, and upgraded, flexible spaces for exhibits and educational programs about sustainability and biodiversity.

Historian Nancy Carol Carter often visited the park over the years to rest, relax, and recharge. “It’s a place where the everyday fades, and the plants either become a soothing backdrop or an endless source of fascination,” she wrote in a blog on the Forever Balboa Park website. “Being among them is always restful and restoring.” During the renovation, she took weekly photos of the progress being made, “witnessing history come alive” as the building took shape, she says. 

Local residents Ellen Golka Moxham and Jim Moxham, who often ride their bicycles through the park at dawn, have also enjoyed watching construction. “It truly warms our hearts to see the Botanical Building being so carefully restored for families to enjoy for another 100 years,” Ellen reflects. “I love that there is no admission charge. It is free to all — locals and visitors from around the world.”

Carter believes the project is much more than a restoration. “It’s a testament to San Diego’s respect for its architectural heritage and its commitment to historical integrity,” she wrote. “As we celebrate the Botanical Building’s rebirth, we can take pride in the care and purpose that went into recreating such a vital piece of our history.”

Now underway is phase two of the project, restoring and revitalizing the exterior gardens, pergola, irrigation, and walkways around the building, set to be completed by this fall. Those efforts will be led by Katy McDonald, Forever Balboa Park’s new president and chief executive officer, who has an extensive background in the arts, community engagement, and urban development. “I am honored to join Forever Balboa Park and help build upon its incredible legacy,” she says. “I look forward to working with the entire community to ensure that Balboa Park continues to thrive as a vibrant, inclusive space for all visitors to enjoy.”

The public got a first glimpse of the Botanical Building at its official grand opening during last month’s December Nights. “The reopening of the Botanical Building is a gift to the people of San Diego,” says Higgins. “We’ve balanced historic preservation with modern innovation, ensuring this beloved landmark will inspire generations to come.” 

To donate to this public-private partnership, please connect with Forever Balboa Park. 619.331.1991, info@balboaparkbotanical.org, balboaparkbotanical.org