Dundee’s boldest regeneration project is edging closer to reality, with the £130 million Eden Project Dundee continuing to gather momentum as one of the most ambitious developments in the city’s modern history.
Transforming the derelict Dundee Gasworks site on East Dock Street, Eden Project Dundee promises to be a game-changer, blending world-class horticulture, immersive exhibitions, live music, art, food, and retail, all underpinned by a message of sustainability and community. Positioned near the city’s revitalised waterfront and iconic neighbours like the V&A Dundee, the attraction is designed to become both a tourism magnet and a symbol of regeneration.
Where Things Stand: Latest on the Development
Planning permission for Eden Project Dundee was officially granted by Dundee City Council in June 2024, clearing a major hurdle and allowing detailed design and construction plans to advance. The Eden team has confirmed they expect to set up a temporary base in the city later this year to deepen community ties and oversee the next stages.
However, an opening date remains unconfirmed. With construction still on the horizon and the project in its development phase, Eden Project Dundee is likely several years away from welcoming its first visitors. The total project cost is expected to exceed £130 million, with funding packages and design specifics still being finalised.
More Than Just Bricks and Mortar – A Project Rooted in Community
Eden Project Dundee has set itself apart through its extensive community engagement efforts. Throughout 2023, residents had the chance to help shape the vision, from face-to-face sessions to online co-creation events. The feedback gathered directly influenced the formal planning application.
The project also draws inspiration from Dundee’s Nine Incorporated Trades, with plans to introduce modern-day “Guilds” focused on regenerative skills, sustainability, and education. These “Guild Embassies” will foster community-led activity, ensuring Eden isn’t just built in Dundee, but with Dundee.
One of the most striking early glimpses of the project came through the “Great Living Wall”, a vast vertical ecosystem planned for the southern boundary of the site. This ambitious feature took centre stage at V&A Dundee’s Garden Futures: Designing with Nature exhibition, cementing the project’s place in the city’s cultural landscape even before construction begins.
Economic Impact: A Green Dynamo for Dundee
The Eden Project’s arrival is forecast to deliver a substantial economic boost. Once operational, the attraction could support up to 200 direct jobs, inject approximately £27 million annually into the local economy, and significantly increase visitor numbers to the city.
Eden Project Chief Executive Andy Jasper has called the development “an economic dynamo,” positioning Dundee at the forefront of the UK’s growing green tourism sector. The project also mirrors the transformative story of Eden Project Cornwall, which turned a disused clay pit into a globally recognised attraction — a powerful symbol of environmental and economic renewal.
National Spotlight: Hopes, Hurdles, and Honest Headlines
While Eden Project Dundee enjoys strong local backing, national media has cast a watchful eye over the wider Eden Project group. The Telegraph, reporting in May 2025, highlighted financial pressures facing Eden Project Cornwall, including staff reductions and declining visitor numbers, noting that expansion projects like Dundee are critical to securing the organisation’s long-term future.
The Express and Global Amusements & Play have also spotlighted Dundee’s Eden Project as a key player in the city’s regeneration and a potential model for sustainable tourism. However, reports stress the importance of maintaining momentum, especially after the project’s timeline slipped from the optimistic early target of 2024.
Meanwhile, The Guardian and The Sunday Times have covered Eden’s national expansion plans, with particular focus on community-driven design, a cornerstone of the Dundee project.
Challenges Ahead: Patience and Participation
Despite progress, the road to Eden Project Dundee’s completion isn’t without its challenges. The timeline has stretched beyond initial expectations, and as seen with the Morecambe Eden development, securing final funding remains a potential hurdle.
Community enthusiasm, while high, must be sustained to avoid “Eden fatigue”, a term already floated in other locations awaiting their Eden debut. The team’s planned move into a temporary Dundee base later this year is seen as a critical step in maintaining engagement and visibility.
The Takeaway for Dundee
Eden Project Dundee remains firmly on track to reshape the city’s waterfront, not just as a tourist attraction, but as a living, breathing example of sustainable regeneration, local pride, and global ambition.
For now, 2025 is shaping up to be a decisive year, with design plans progressing, community partnerships deepening, and the countdown to construction quietly ticking on.
Stay with LiveDundee for updates on Eden Project Dundee’s timeline, funding progress, and the journey from vision to reality.
