Vertical construction begins on Selby Gardens' next development phase

Vertical construction is starting at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on the second phase of its master plan, following execution of a recent $41.9 million bond sale.

Phase two of Selby Gardens will consist of a conservatory complex, learning pavilion and enhanced gardens and landscape features.

The conservatory complex — which will be the “crown jewel of the downtown Sarasota campus” — will feature a hurricane-resilient greenhouse design for which Selby Gardens is pursuing trademark protection, according to a statement. When it is built, the complex will showcase more than 20,000 plants, or nearly 100% of the organization’s collection. Currently, less than 5% of its living research plants are visible to the public. Plans call for phase two to open in November 2028.

Selby Gardens set a fundraising goal of $60.9 million for phase two; the organization says that $59.7 million — or 98% of the campaign goal — had been raised as of Aug. 11.

“The strong support we’ve received from both our philanthropic community and the investment market reflects the confidence people have in Selby Gardens and our vision for the future,” Selby Gardens President and CEO Jennifer O. Rominiecki says in the statement.

R.W. Baird was the underwriter for the bond sale, which attracted 15 unique investors, and Capital Trust Agency issued the tax-exempt bonds, according to the statement, which says the financing will enable Selby to maintain an aggressive construction schedule as multiyear philanthropic gifts are realized.

Lakewood Ranch-based Willis A. Smith Construction is the construction manager for the project. Additional partners include landscape architecture studio OLIN; architecture firm Sweet Sparkman Architects; civil engineer Kimley-Horn and Associates; mechanical, electrical and plumbing experts Engineering Matrix; structural engineering firm TY Lin Silman; conservatory advisors Ron Determann and Jeffrey Woolsey; and landscape architecture firm L Design for renderings. 

Selby Gardens attracts more than 330,000 visitors annually to its 15-acre campus in downtown Sarasota and 30-acre Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey. The nonprofit posted $17.57 million in revenue in 2025.