After three years of restoration, Balboa Park’s Botanical Building and Gardens have reopened. The building was originally built in 1915 and has undergone two restoration projects, the last one being in the 1950s.
This two-phase project involves stripping the building down to its steel frame, removing decaying sections of its original structure, followed by the restoration of the building’s original cupola. According to The City of San Diego, the total cost of the restoration was more than $26.45 million, with $8 million of that amount funded through state grants.
Briana Tellez, marketing and communications specialist for Forever Balboa Park, said she managed media campaigns to connect the community on this transformative process.
“From coordinating messaging to sharing progress stories, every step was about keeping the spirit of the gardens alive, even while they were temporarily inaccessible,” Tellez said via email.
Forever Balboa Park is a nonprofit organization in affiliation with the City of San Diego with a mission to improve and advance Balboa Park.
“Now, seeing the Botanical Building reopen feels surreal. It’s like witnessing a cherished piece of history being reborn.” Tellez said. “The journey has been challenging, but the reward of seeing the community reconnect with this iconic space makes it all worthwhile.”
Second-year biology major Ella Rice went to the gardens with her friends and said it was peaceful and relaxing.
“I think it is a good spot to spend the day or the afternoon,” Rice said. “The look of the dome over the top and how it still let in sunshine was my favorite part of the gardens.”
These gardens are home to hundreds of plants, which during construction, were transferred to a nursery and then safely transported back into the building where they were replanted.
“This restoration sets the tone for what’s possible when we invest in preservation and innovation,” Tellez said via email. “It not only revitalizes a cherished landmark but also transforms it into a more accessible, sustainable, and vibrant space for generations to come.”
The second phase of the restoration project is still in progress. It focuses on reconstructing the pergola, restoring the outer gardens surrounding the building and replanting the gardens.
Second-year nursing major Emily Sheridan said, “It would be a great study spot because it feels very fresh and being surrounded by nature is very calming.”
