Duke Gardens’ Transformative Garden Gateway Project Opens to the Public

Before and after shots of the Gardens

This is a summary from the Sarah P. Duke Gardens website.

The Garden Gateway project at Sarah P. Duke Gardens will open to the public on April 8, marking the completion of a major redesign that will transform the Duke Gardens experience. The $30 million project, underway since February 2025, includes renovations to the Doris Duke Center and main entrance as well as the addition of a new welcome center and expanded green spaces. 

The main entrance at 420 Anderson Street will reopen with limited on-site parking in the Gardens lot. Additional weekend parking will be available nearby in the Campus Drive lot, now connected to the Gardens via a new access drive. Pedestrian access through Flowers Drive will continue. 

The Garden Gateway project was inspired by a vision of enhancing Duke Gardens as a vibrant hub for students, the university and the public. “Duke Gardens is one of the most visited destinations in the Triangle, and the Garden Gateway allows us to better serve our growing community,” says executive director Bill LeFevre. “The new entranceway improves access and wayfinding, and the Barnes Welcome Center greatly enhances visitor amenities and services. We sincerely appreciate the community and university support that made this project possible and look forward to welcoming both new and returning visitors.”    

Key features in the new Barnes Welcome Center include a café, a dedicated visitor lobby, gallery space, indoor and outdoor classrooms and an outdoor gathering plaza. The redesigned main entrance has been expanded to improve accessibility and safety, and the renovated Doris Duke Center features enhanced facilities for events, including weddings. 

Funded by private contributions, including lead gifts from the Barnes Family Foundation and The Duke Endowment, the project follows Duke’s High Performance Building Framework for sustainable design. 

Visitors are encouraged to check the Duke Gardens website (gardens.duke.edu) and Duke Gardens’ Instagram (@sarahpdukegardens) for updates.