Utrecht University announced on 4 November that the design for the new greenhouse complex of the Utrecht University Botanic Gardens is final and construction partners have been selected. Preparations are scheduled to begin in November 2026, construction in spring 2027 and completion in spring 2028. Moving in and fitting out will follow.

What is being built

According to the university, the planned complex will cover about 7,300 square metres, with an adjoining 150 m² silo and a highest point of 15 metres. It was designed by DLVge together with architect Anton Hanemaaijer. The university lists 12 research greenhouse sections, three laboratory areas housing 36 Ecotrons (controlled-climate chambers for plant research), 12 sections for growing plants, a seed centre, offices and technical rooms.

The Ecotron facility belongs to the Netherlands Plant-Ecophenotyping Centre (NPEC). In its project page the university says bringing it into the same complex will enable closer collaboration between research groups.

The public area is planned with six sections, each with its own climate control and entrance, and a new visitor route. The university says the botanical collection will move into the new complex. The tropical section is intended to provide more space and height, including for larger trees, and more stable climate control.

Designed around a fortress

The site is on the grounds of Fort Hoofddijk, part of the Botanic Gardens. The fort forms part of the New Dutch Waterline, which is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The university says the historic setting shaped the restrained design: the tall tropical section is set back from the transparent south façade, the north side is enclosed, and the entrance uses charred wood inspired by wooden huts that once stood on the fort's field of fire.

On sustainability, the university says the complex is designed to use thermal energy storage for climate control, reuse at least 90 per cent of its water and include double glazing in the greenhouses with the highest temperatures.

Why replace the old greenhouses

The university says the old greenhouses no longer met the requirements of modern research and collection management. In August it announced that demolition of the old tropical greenhouses would begin on 24 August and run until mid-October, with the tropical plants moved to a temporary location. The new complex is intended to support continued research on topics such as biodiversity and preserve the tropical plant collection from Central and South America.

The selected construction partners are Deforce Construct, Bosman van Zaal and construction firm Van Zoelen. Utrecht University's Campus & Facilities department coordinates the project.

What visitors should know

The greenhouses have been closed to the public since 1 December 2025. During the demolition work, the university said the rest of the Botanic Gardens would remain open to visitors from 10:00 to 16:30, with disruption limited where possible. The university has not yet said when the new greenhouses will reopen; it promises further updates. The announcements also do not state the project's cost or funding, so those remain unreported here.

The timeline is the university's own expectation, and construction of the new complex has not yet started.