Selby Gardens named in 'Best of Architecture' by Wall Street Journal

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens recent expansion has been featured in the Wall Street Journal's "Best of Architecture of 2024" round-up, showcasing "many of the year’s most successful projects," the publication said.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens was one of only five projects selected. The article by Journal architecture critic Michael Lewis, also praised New York’s Far Rockaway Library, Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia and Michigan Central Station in Detroit.

Phase One of the Selby project added 188,030 square feet of new facilities to Selby Gardens' Downtown Sarasota Campus, featuring the Morganroth Family Living Energy Access Facility, bringing what staff say is the world's first net-positive energy restaurant entirely utilizing solar power. 

Lewis described the Morganroth building as showing "a pleasing human touch ... one has to look twice before realizing that all these functions are wrapped around an unexpectedly pleasant parking garage." 

"We are truly honored to be recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best architectural achievements of 2024," Jennifer O. Rominiecki, president and CEO of Selby Gardens in a news release. "This acknowledgment is a testament to the vision, innovation, and dedication of our team, as well as the incredible support from our community. 

"Our commitment to blending innovation with nature remains at the heart of everything we do, and we look forward to the next chapter in our journey.”

The capital goal for Phase Two  stands at $60.9 million, with $40.3 million already being raised, 99% of which comes from private philanthropy, the news release noted.  

Phase Two is expected to break ground by the end of 2025, with an anticipated completion by the end of 2027.

This is not the year's first honor for the botanical gardens. In July, Selby Gardens was named one of Time magazine’s 100 “World’s Greatest Places” for 2024.