The Conservatory’s Palm House, west terrace, Show House, Grand Atrium and meeting rooms have long been highly-valued as unique settings for special events such as weddings, holiday parties and corporate functions. A key element of the 5-year strategic plan developed in 1998 by the Conservatory was to maximize earned revenue from special events. To accomplish this, special events staff was increased to facilitate more events. The strategy has been successful.
To continue growth in this area and increase revenue that is used to support mission-based programming such as Growing to Green and educational programming, Franklin Park Conservatory needs to improve its special event support facilities and create a new venue.
The Palm House additions will consist of two new wings to the north and south of the Palm House. The north addition will become a new entrance for those attending special events and house a new event space that is suitably designed for both formal events in the evening as well as corporate events to take place during the day. The stylish room will be an ideal venue for a wedding reception and also have the audiovisual needs necessary for corporate meetings.
Most of the support facilities for special events will be located in the south wing. The wing will contain a new catering area where caterers can stage meals for both the Palm House and the new event space. Storage for everything needed to put on an event will also be located in this wing along with offices for special events staff. And brides and grooms will no longer have to prepare for their big days in the horticulture locker rooms as there will be bride and groom dressing rooms in the two wings.
The new additions will provide several areas where the beauty of plants can be enjoyed. Atop the two additions will be rooftop gardens—one with an Asian theme and one with a Mediterranean theme. These rooftop gardens will be accessed through the Show House and available for special events as well as enjoyed by general visitors. Adjacent to the north wing will be the Bride’s Garden, a terraced garden with a calming fountain that can be used by a bride for a relaxing moment prior to her wedding or following the ceremony for wedding photographs.