The $7.5M project includes restoring the original 1911 building and a new pavilion opening onto the Shakespeare Garden.
L.A.’s beloved Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens has just announced plans to give the historic tea room a makeover. The $7.5 million project will restore the original 1911 building to its former glory and see the addition of a stunning new outdoor dining experience. These exciting new renovations follow the garden’s recent 100th anniversary.
“This renovation comes on the heels of our centennial and celebrates one of our most beloved historic structures, acknowledging what has been one of the area’s most iconic dining destinations since it opened to the public many decades ago,” said Huntington President Karen R. Lawrence.
Although the stunning Rose Garden Tea Room won’t just be receiving an exterior facelift, the Architectural Resources Group, which has partnered with The Huntington on the project, has plans to upgrade the indoor dining space, modernize the kitchen, develop new restrooms and ancillary areas too.
A pavilion will be added to the eastern side for the exteriors, leading onto the Shakespeare Garden for outdoor dining service. Then, the room that opens out to the Herb Garden will also be refurbished and used for the Tea Room’s general service and will also be available for private functions.
Not being able to sit amongst the roses, breathe in the fresh air and experience the iconic tea service during a pandemic seems like such a missed opportunity. But once the renovations have been made, more visitors will be able to enjoy the gardens and sip on tea al fresco with a healthy distance between tables. In fact, the entire idea was apparently sparked by the pandemic and restrictions on dining services, according to the Vice President for Advancement at the Huntington.
View from Shakespeare Garden (Credit: Architectural Resource Group)Upgrades to The Huntington’s historic core promises a truly unique tea experience and a seamless fluidity between the indoor and outdoor spaces. If it gets municipal approval, work could begin as soon as the end of the year and could be complete by 2022.
Featured Image: Lisa Blackburn / The Huntington Library