A famous Myrtle Beach travel destination blooms with new $17 million conservatory
The azaleas are popping, the birds are singing, and the bees are — probably not quite as busy as the construction workers crawling all over the new conservatory building at Brookgreen Gardens.
The Purdy Center, which will serve as a welcome center, conservatory, and entry point to the iconic sculpture gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, is the newest sign of life on Brookgreen’s historic grounds.
The structure seems to be springing up along with the flowers.
According to Page Kiniry, Brookgreen’s president, the Welcome Center and Conservatory was part of the master plan more than 30 years ago, but the idea was revisited a few years ago during the pandemic.
“We asked ourselves, ‘How can we enhance our mission?’” she said.
She and the members of the board believe the new building and gardens will do just that.
In addition to being a contemporary conservatory that will include a wall of more than 2,000 orchids, baskets of seasonal flowers hanging from the 30-foot-high ceilings, and a “green wall” with a tropical plant collection, it will also serve as a space for events and educational programs protected from the weather.
Thirteen diamond-shaped skylights will fill the Great Hall with light. The 5,500-square-foot space can seat up to 250 people for private events and weddings.
A coffee bar and a landscaped courtyard will serve as a gathering space for visitors and a jumping-off point for various tours of the statuary and botanical gardens.
One of the highlights of the new facility is the “Gaia Walk,” named for the two-faced sculpture by Dora Natella. The ADA-compliant ramp circles the bronze to an elevated veranda, 9 feet above the gardens. The vantage will allow people of all abilities to look over the gardens at the “Fountain of the Muses” and “Pegasus” statue beyond. The overlook should provide a spectacular sunset view.
Future plans include a new wetland garden and educational overlook as well as a butterfly pavilion.
The Welcome Center and Conservatory was designed by the architectural firm of Craig Gaulden Davis Inc. to serve as a “multi-use space,” according to designer Adam Berry, and to tie the gardens together.
It is being built by Dargen Construction at the cost of approximately $17 million.
Dargen has built some of the largest structures in Myrtle Beach for more than 70 years, but project manager Joe Jumper said, “This is the most unique project I’ve been involved with. It’s really been fun.”
Kiniry says that she anticipates hosting some preview events around the 2025 holiday season and hopes The Purdy Center will be completed by the end of the year.
“It will provide a lot to do right near the parking lot all year round,” she said. “We think this will be a huge attraction for the state and especially for our region.”
Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, S.C. is designated as a National Historic Landmark, and is frequently listed among the top public gardens in the U.S. by various travel publications.
This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 9:14 AM.