In Blue Prince, there are four permanent upgrades you can unlock for the Mt. Holly estate, each offering valuable benefits such as extra steps or new rooms. However, unlocking these upgrades requires solving specific puzzles and completing certain tasks.
This Blue Prince guide will walk you through how to unlock all four permanent additions, provide solutions to any puzzles involved, and explain the rewards each one offers.
All Permanent Additions in Blue Prince and How to Unlock Them
There are four permanent additions you can unlock in Blue Prince, each offering unique advantages to help you progress. You can view these upgrades in your pause menu, listed just below your items. Here they are in the order they appear in the game:
- West Gate Path: Grants access to the Outer Room
- Gemstone Cavern: Gives you two gems at the start of each day
- Apple Orchard: Adds 20 extra steps to your daily limit
- Blackbridge Grotto: Lets you use one offline terminal per day
Keep reading for detailed instructions on how to unlock each of these permanent upgrades.
How to Unlock the West Gate Path

To unlock the West Gate Path, you’ll need to draft both the Utility Closet and the Garage on the same day. Once inside the Utility Closet, switch on the power to the Garage. This will allow you to open the Garage door and step outside.
From there, head left to make your way around to the front of the house, where you can permanently unlock the West Gate. Once it’s open, heading west will lead you to the Outer Room, where you can begin drafting a new selection of rooms such as the Trading Post and the Shelter.
How to Unlock the Gemstone Cavern

To access the Gemstone Cavern upgrade, you’ll need the Utility Closet. Clues for the V.A.C. Indicator puzzle can be found in the Mail Room and within the emails on the Office computer.
Once you solve the puzzle, you’ll unlock a switch that activates the Gemstone Cavern perk, granting you two gems at the beginning of each day. (You won’t need to visit the actual Gemstone Cavern near your campsite on the east side of the house.)
How to Unlock the Apple Orchard

The Apple Orchard is located behind your campsite on the east side of the house, but it’s locked behind a four-digit code. To uncover the code, you’ll need to draft both the Utility Closet and the Darkroom, and also have a Magnifying Glass.
Use the Utility Closet to restore power to the Darkroom. Then, head inside and use the Magnifying Glass to examine the photos — they’ll reveal the code needed to open the Orchard gate. Once unlocked, you’ll gain 20 additional steps each day.
How to Unlock the Blackbridge Grotto

Gaining access to the Blackbridge Grotto requires some setup and a bit of luck. First, you’ll need to draft the Boiler Room and establish a connection to the Laboratory—either directly or through rooms that have ceiling ducts. Once connected, you must complete both of the Laboratory puzzles.
To activate the Grotto’s benefit, you’ll also need the terminal password. With it, you can select the “login to network” option on any computer and use remote terminal access to reach a computer in a room you haven’t drafted yet.