Contract: $22,345,297
Substantial Completion: October 2024
Owner: City of San Diego
Owner Contact: Tina Huang
Architect: Platt-Whitelaw Architects

Scope: This project is a Design Build upgrade and improvements to restore the existing Botanical Building in Balboa Park to its original design from 1915. This historical repair & reconstruction project includes demolition of portions of the building constructed in 1957 to allow for reconstruction of the foundations, walls, and windows creating the façade of the original design. This project includes evaluation and repair of existing steel arched trusses due to extensive deterioration over the last 100+ years. After repairs on deteriorated steel elements, the steel trusses were sandblasted and coated with a marine grade paint system to protect the exposed areas. The project included shoring of existing trusses and removal of lower portions of trusses that were encased in concrete to reconstruct the trusses to the way they were in the original design. This project includes complete removal & replacement of the redwood lattice and decorative redwood elements to restore the facility to its original design. Project includes salvaging of existing plant materials inside the Botanical Building and removal of existing improvements within the facility, except that 20 existing trees and plants that could not be removed are protected in place. Project includes reconstruction of interior portions of the facility such as new planter walls, wood siding, replacement of doors to match original doors, new irrigation system, new overhead misting system, and all new flatwork inside the facility. Project includes addition to northern portion of the facility to provide space for City personnel that maintain the plants in the Botanical Building.