Heritage Issues

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Pictures are a MUST!

Can't find any interior shots, so this will have to suffice. Pictures really don't do it justice tho, so the best way to experience its true awfulness is to go there in person and lose yourself inside. Or, just take the main hall from the train platform. It's less Quake and more Nightmare on Elmstreet / Labyrinth with David Bowie.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by mersar

The building is currently the home of the "Bank" nightclub.

You guys serious? I was making a joke/suggestion based on a very similar building in Winnipeg that was re-purposed as a nightclub, oh, about 10 years ago. It worked well in my opinion.

If you're not just kidding, that's hilarious. I guess good ideas never die.

[MalcolmTucker]

The Bank Restaurant - was a night club until november sometime according to google.

Interior shot

http://www.opentable.com/img/restimages/46633.jpg

(Can't embed, on blackberry)

[YYCguys]

When and if ACAD moves out their current digs, I wonder if SAIT will take over the space for their needs. If so, I wonder if the building will stay or if it will be torn down and replaced with a new structure. I suppose that would be a long ways down the road though because SAIT is busy with their current building programme and ACAD isn't in a position to move out at this time.

[DizzyEdge]

The Bank Restaurant is/was a different building, the old Bank of Nova Scotia building http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=125+8+a...141.9,,0,-8.44

[kap384]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

The Bank Restaurant - was a night club until november sometime according to google.

Interior shot

http://www.opentable.com/img/restimages/46633.jpg

(Can't embed, on blackberry)

'The Bank' is actually located in this building across the street:

The Bank of Nova Scotia
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sourc...0.94,,0,-13.36

[Rusty van Reddick]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Are you referring to the new OCAD?

Never been before. They must be cool though, no?

Yes, the new OCAD. The hallways are terrifying, low ceilings and dark- you feel as if you're in a basement. A morgue.

[polishavenger]

I've heard that building was originally leased to an office user, and during some renovations it turns out the building is in some rough shape. Cant 100%confirm though. About 3 years ago we had the idea of turning it into a super high end, invite only gentlemens club that would target the three vices with high stakes poker, alcohol, and strippers. Entry would be from the alley via a discreet drive up entry way. Its the kind of place the elite would bring business clients from out of town. One can dream.

[kw5150]

The biggest issue i have with the Calgary Board of Education building (CBE) is the ugly semi-private courtyard space that is disconnected from all of the streets. I actually really like the front face with the huge overhang.

Brutalist architecture can be partly defined by huge concrete monoliths supported by small concrete columns. It was a way of "bragging" about the beauty of architecture and engineering and the strengths that we had acheived up to that point. It is also very expensive construction. Was it a totally successful design?......maybe not but we may regret taering down yet another building like this.

I would like to see part of that building saved and re-purposed. You could have that upper area as an amazing vaulted conference space. It would be intersting to see what architects, interior designers, engineeers and landscape architects could come up with for the site.

Whoever said it is like a space ship hit the nail on the head. That part is worth saving in my opinion.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by kap384

'The Bank' is actually located in this building across the street:

The Bank of Nova Scotia
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sourc...0.94,,0,-13.36

Ahh. Last time I was down there it was still either e fund company or exploration outfit of somekind. Would have the office frontage rule for stephen's ave forced them out on lease renewal or was there a grandfather clause?

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Rusty van Reddick

Yes, the new OCAD. The hallways are terrifying, low ceilings and dark- you feel as if you're in a basement. A morgue.

That's disappointing. Makes sense though, as it looks like it has very limited space in it for 2 floors. Not a great place if you have vertigo I'd imagine either. Funny how Art schools are always so de-humanizing and depressing. Are they secretly designed by fascists who hate artists?

[Radley77]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Between 1988 and 1993 A&B Sound spent $2 million renovating it, so realy it just needs a tenant. I think the problem is a) bad street presence... well great architectural street presence, but bad as far as showing what's inside b) the layout is a open ground floor, and a wrap around platform/balcony on the second floor. So for office use you could set up cubicles I guess, but so much open unused space.

It should probably be used as some sort of museum/art gallery.

Yeah, I think there are a lot of uses that could be done that perhaps even play off of it's more 'private' architectural style. I haven't ever seen a marketing campaign for lease... I would love to see this building being used to it's full potential!

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

The Bank Restaurant - was a night club until november sometime according to google.

Interior shot

http://www.opentable.com/img/restimages/46633.jpg

(Can't embed, on blackberry)

That place seemed a little douchebaggy and doucheboxy. Did it close? Maybe it can open as another kind of nightclub? One way to provide night life is to have more night clubs!

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

That's disappointing. Makes sense though, as it looks like it has very limited space in it for 2 floors. Not a great place if you have vertigo I'd imagine either. Funny how Art schools are always so de-humanizing and depressing. Are they secretly designed by fascists who hate artists?

The OCAD (ontario) is nouveu-brutalist.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by kw5150

That place seemed a little douchebaggy and doucheboxy.

No, really, seriously - there's no need to invent another word to genderize this one. Please, for the love of all that is holy kids - DO NOT TURN THIS INTO A REAL WORD.

At least I assume that's what this is. Never seen nor heard it before.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by freeweed

No, really, seriously - there's no need to invent another word to genderize this one. Please, for the love of all that is holy kids - DO NOT TURN THIS INTO A REAL WORD.

At least I assume that's what this is. Never seen nor heard it before.

Quit being such a douchebox

[gantenbein]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Ahh. Last time I was down there it was still either e fund company or exploration outfit of somekind. Would have the office frontage rule for stephen's ave forced them out on lease renewal or was there a grandfather clause?

'The Bank' as a nightclub in the old Bank of Nova Scotia building goes waaaay back -- like 1980s/90s. I wasn't aware it (or at least the name) had been been resurrected.

[kap384]

It was resurrected last year as a restaurant ('Brand' or 'BR&' as they wrote it). Rebranded 'The Bank' recently. Think it's still a restaurant, not a club, though it shares the name with the old club.

[DizzyEdge]

BR& was such a douchebox name

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

BR& was such a douchebox name

Not to mention,

WHERE WILL THE CHILDREN PLAY