For a brief time this month, the construction fence came down and the historic Weir Greenhouse — the centerpiece of the long-awaited Green-Wood Cemetery visitor center — was visible in all its restored beauty. Social media posts Tuesday showed the landmarked 19th century greenhouse with a crisp green paint job and gleaming windows.

A stroll past the site at the corner of 25th Street and 5th Avenue Tuesday found a new construction fence already in place along with a fresh rendering posted to it showing the sleek new design for the visitor center by Architecture Research Office. Despite the fence, more of the historic structure is visible than it has been for years.

green-wood visitors center - a new green construction fence around the weir greenhouse
The site on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Susan De Vries
rendering showing the modern visitor center and restored greenhouse
The rendering posted on the construction fence. Rendering by Architecture Research Office

While the restoration of the greenhouse was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission back in 2015, the final design for the visitor complex wasn’t approved until 2021. The project got a boost last year with $4.5 million in capital funding.

The new building, clad in terra-cotta panels, will wrap around two sides of the greenhouse and include gallery, programming, and staff space. The old fence was removed and the greenhouse snapped on July 11, a cemetery official told Brownstoner. Construction on the new building will start in March, and The Green-Wood Center, as the entire complex will be known, is slated to open in 2025.

brooklyn weir greenhouse
The greenhouse in 1941. Photo by P.L. Sperr via New York Public Library
scaffolding around the greenhouse
The building in April of this year. Photo by Susan De Vries

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