The new Horticulture and Plant Science Center at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor will bring horticulture, research, and conservation together in a state-of-the-art, approximately 34,000-SF facility. Landry/French Construction is serving as Construction Manager for the project.
The mass timber building will feature laboratories, administrative offices, a greenhouse, and specialized storage. It will also centralize important scientific collections, including the herbarium and seed bank, while providing dedicated spaces for research and collaboration. Additional glass greenhouses, hoop houses, and a head house will support the cultivation of native and ornamental plants for display, conservation, restoration, and public sale.
Extensive site improvements will create new trial gardens and planting areas while enhancing existing outdoor spaces. Construction logistics require careful planning and coordination, particularly with site access through the active botanical gardens campus.
Sustainability is central to the project, with integrated solar power and rainwater collection systems designed to support irrigation and non-potable water needs. Once complete, the facility will provide a highly functional, collaborative environment for researchers, staff, interns, and graduate students—advancing the Gardens’ mission of plant science, education, and environmental stewardship.