A donation from the Gladys and Merrill Muttart Foundation[3] provided momentum for the conservatory's construction, with the remaining funding supplied by the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton.

The conservatory's unusual structure, designed by architect Peter Hemingway, is composed of four glassed pyramids built around a central service core.

Carefully controlled environmental conditions allow the plants to go dormant in winter and burst into spring growth of green leaves and colourful blooms.

The Tropical pyramid provides an enormous diversity of species; under a canopy of tall palms, banana and weeping fig are orchids, various hibiscus and the bird of paradise.

The café serves several menu items made with locally sourced ingredients, including herbs and salad greens grown on-site at the greenhouse.