In Sarasota, Florida, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens marked a significant milestone on Tuesday with the commencement of Phase Two of its comprehensive master plan.

To date, the project has garnered an impressive $56.3 million in funding for this upcoming phase.

“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, we are able to proceed. An astounding 99% of our financial support comes from private sources, making this endeavor a true community treasure,” stated Jennifer Rominiecki, the president of the gardens.

Last year, the public witnessed the unveiling of Phase One, which introduced 188,003 square feet of new facilities. This included the Morganroth Family Living Energy Access Facility (LEAF), a structure that combines a parking garage, The Green Orchid restaurant by Michael’s On East, a gift shop, vertical gardens, and nearly 50,000 square feet dedicated to solar panels. This innovation positioned Selby Gardens as the first botanical garden complex globally to achieve net-positive energy status.

“From inception, our plan has been firmly rooted in principles of sustainability and resilience,” Rominiecki emphasized. “In Phase Two, we are set to pioneer a world-first: a hurricane-resilient glass house complex completely powered by renewable energy. This groundbreaking project is set to debut at Selby Gardens in 2028.”

The conservatory will house 20,000 of the garden’s rare research plants.

“When you visit at Selby Gardens in the past, you have only seen less than 5% of our collection on view. This will bring out almost 100% of the collection on view to the public. Adjacent will be an indoor/outdoor learning pavilion for all of our education programs for children and adults as well as new landscaping and garden features,” said the president.

Marie Selby’s family was on site during the groundbreaking. Her great niece said the expansion is helping bring Selby’s vision to life.

“I think she would be ecstatic that one of the things that Selby Gardens has made a huge effort to do and has succeeded at is making it available to the entire community, to everybody, because that is the kind of people that she and Uncle Bill were. They felt that it is a place for everybody in this world. I’m sure that she is ecstatic, if she is out they are watching, that her little vision just has grown into this phenomenal thing,” said Sarah Haynes Cowan.

Phase Two is slated to be completed in 2028.