Sign at the McGovern-Weir Greenhouse near Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn

Tunnel, bridge & industryBrooklyn

Weir Greenhouse, a Victorian Landmark Beside Green-Wood

The Weir Greenhouse is a Victorian commercial greenhouse near Green-Wood Cemetery, on the border of Greenwood Heights and South Slope in Brooklyn. Built in 1895, it is a New York City landmark and, since 2026, the cemetery’s visitor center, a good starting point for a visit to Green-Wood and a rare surviving example of its kind.

A Brooklyn florist built this glass-and-iron greenhouse in 1895 and his family ran it for more than 75 years. After decades of decay it came back to life as the front door of one of the city’s great cemeteries.

WhereBrooklyn, Greenwood Heights and South Slope, next to Green-Wood Cemetery

TypeHistoric greenhouse and city landmark, now a cemetery visitor center

Best forVictorian architecture, a stop before exploring Green-Wood, garden and cemetery lovers

Getting thereOn the edge of Green-Wood Cemetery; it works as the cemetery’s visitor center, so check the current opening hours and access rules before you go

The history of the Weir Greenhouse

The greenhouse was designed by George Curtis Gillespie and built in 1895 by James Weir Jr., a Brooklyn florist who had already been in business for 50 years. He built it for the flower business he ran with his son and his grandson. The building is a rectangular wood-frame and galvanized iron structure with projecting bays and domes in the Victorian commercial style. Its main entrance is set at an angle to the street corner and has an octagonal form, and the roof carries an octagonal cupola topped with a ball finial. A one-story brick office building is attached.

The Weir family kept the business going until 1971, when they sold it to the McGovern family. That is why the building is also known as the McGovern-Weir Greenhouse. It was designated a New York City landmark in 1982 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

In later years the greenhouse deteriorated severely and was vandalized. By 2011 the cost of repairing it was estimated at one million dollars. On February 2, 2012, the neighboring Green-Wood Cemetery bought it with the aim of preserving it and restoring the elements that had decayed.

By early 2015 the structure of the vacant, decayed building had been stabilized, and the project moved toward restoring its 1895 appearance. As of 2020 the work was still underway, and Green-Wood planned to turn the greenhouse into the cemetery’s visitor center. Work on that began in 2023 and included a new L-shaped building next door designed by Architecture Research Office. The visitor center was completed in 2026 and officially opened on the weekend of April 18.

Little-known facts about the Weir Greenhouse

James Weir Jr. had been a Brooklyn florist for 50 years when he built the greenhouse in 1895.
Three generations of the family worked in the business: Weir, his son and his grandson.
The entrance is set diagonally to the street corner and is octagonal in form, topped by an octagonal cupola with a ball finial.
The Weirs ran the florist business until 1971, so the greenhouse operated for roughly three-quarters of a century before changing hands.
Green-Wood Cemetery bought the abandoned greenhouse on February 2, 2012, as a neighbor and preservation project.
The city landmark designation came in 1982 and the National Register listing in 1984, long before the building was restored.

Visiting the Weir Greenhouse and Green-Wood Cemetery

The restored greenhouse serves as the visitor center of Green-Wood Cemetery, which opened in April 2026; it is the natural place to begin a visit.
Green-Wood is a working nonprofit cemetery that is open for public visitation and hosts hundreds of events each year. Its gates and chapel are also landmarks.
Look at the greenhouse from the street as well: the angled octagonal entrance, the domes and the cupola are easy to see from outside.
Opening days, hours, events and access rules change; check the current information from Green-Wood before you go.
Nearby sites include Green-Wood Cemetery itself, the Coignet Stone Company Building, Brooklyn Army Terminal and the Malbone Street Wreck memorial, all within a few kilometers.

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Weir Greenhouse is

Photos of Weir Greenhouse

The McGovern-Weir Greenhouse, a Victorian greenhouse in Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn

Questions

What is the Weir Greenhouse?

It is a historic Victorian greenhouse built in 1895 near Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. It is a New York City landmark and now serves as the cemetery’s visitor center.

Who built the Weir Greenhouse?

James Weir Jr., a Brooklyn florist, built it in 1895 to a design by George Curtis Gillespie, for the business he ran with his son and grandson.

Why is it also called the McGovern-Weir Greenhouse?

The Weir family sold the business in 1971 to the McGovern family, so both names are used for the building.

Can you visit the Weir Greenhouse?

Yes, it works as the visitor center of Green-Wood Cemetery since its opening in April 2026. Check the current opening hours and access rules before you go.

Where is the Weir Greenhouse?

It is next to Green-Wood Cemetery, in Greenwood Heights and South Slope, Brooklyn.

Is the Weir Greenhouse a landmark?

Yes. It was designated a New York City landmark in 1982 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.