Detroit’s historic Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, located on Belle Isle, is set to reopen on Wednesday, December 4, after being closed for two years for extensive renovations. The conservatory, one of the oldest in the U.S., is known for housing rare and exotic plants from around the world.
The $10 million renovation, which began in November 2022, focused primarily on the building’s iconic 80-foot glass dome. Designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn, the conservatory features a unique collection of plants, a koi pond, and seasonal flower beds. It also includes a turn-of-the-century glasshouse, one of the oldest in the country still in operation.
The reopening was delayed several months due to the complicated process of replacing the glass dome. “The glass had to be specially laminated and cut to precise specifications,” said Amanda Treadwell, urban field planner for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “It was a delicate process, and only a few manufacturers can make this type of glass.”
The glass replacement was part of the second phase of renovations. The first phase, completed in 2019, included replacing the original 20 steel trusses. In addition to the dome, the work included reglazing the entire 60-foot dome, repairing the steel framework, removing lead paint, and installing new catwalks for staff access at the top of the cupola. The conservatory’s floor and planter walls were also refinished.
New sidewalks were added around the garden, and the overlook of Lake Tacoma was repainted. The vestibule roof and limestone panels around the dome’s base were also replaced during the renovation.
The conservatory, which has not received major capital investment since the 1950s, also experienced some unexpected damage to its cactus and tropical plant sections, requiring further repairs and replacements.
The renovation project was funded by $7.5 million from the Michigan DNR’s share of the $250 million federal relief package. An additional $2.5 million was raised through private donations from the Belle Isle Conservancy.
The conservatory will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
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