The project can now go ahead after being awarded Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £14.7m for the restoration of the Temperate House, the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world.
The Grade I-listed Temperate House houses Kew's collection of tender woody plants from temperate regions, including a Chilean wine palm (Jubaea chilensis) that is thought to be the world's tallest glasshouse plant
Turner & Townsend will be managing the works over the project’s five-year programme, coordinating the return of the Temperate House to its former glory and restructuring the plant displays, as well as converting the adjoining Evolution House into an educational centre for Kew’s outreach programme.
Completion is programmed for May 2018.
Turner & Townsend’s appointment follows its previous experience delivering heritage projects including the Royal Albert Hall and Natural History Museum.
Associate director Leonie Grover said: “It is an immense personal and professional privilege to be involved in the renovation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site which originally opened in 1863.
“Home to some of the world’s rarest and most useful plants, this project is about more than preserving an architectural gem. The expansion of Temperate House will allow Kew to continue to attract and educate visitors for years to come, and in turn support its important scientific programme which aims to unlock the potential of plants to address challenges from food security to health to climate change.”
Richard Deverell, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, said: “This project represents a real step change in the way in which Kew will communicate and bring to life why plants matter, why saving them matters and ultimately why Kew’s science and horticultural expertise matters.”
As well as the £14.7m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the work is funded by a £10.4m government contribution and £7.7m of private donations.
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