[officedweller]

Actually I think that the City and the Downtown Business Improvement Association or the Vancouver Tourist Agency/Board - whatever it was called - was the reason that the Bing Thom proposal was dropped from the previous bidding process - it wanted the iconic view, etc. and had concerns about a separated site.

I tend to agree that convention centres are generally windowless boxes and it doesn't need to be on the waterrfront. The main hall of the expansion is actually underground and the smaller meeting rooms and ballrooms are the ones that open up to the circulation areas with the sweeping views. While the attendees don't necessarily care, it may help sell the site to convention organizers. As for retail in the area, it may be a good thing for convention goers to meander into the City - patronizing restaurants etc. in the CBD and in Gastown rather than sticking to a convention centre food/retail area (recall that the food fair (not the Prow restaurant) at the north end of Canada Place (before the extension) - was a major flop.

Likewise, I don't see why the Vancouver Art Gallery needs an iconic space on the waterfront (the galleries themselves (apart from sculpture, restaurant or circulation space) don't need or want direct sunlight. But if the project can inject some life into the waterfront (which is also doubtful - how often do you attend an Art Gallery event?) I suppose that it's better than more condos with nimby condo owners complaining about any lively activity on the waterfront. i.e. an Art Gallery plaza or event space would at least provide a commercial focus / excuse to make some noise once and a while.

Likewise, I think that cultural facilities (theatres) are also event based and would not provide a steady flow of patrons like commercial space would do. i.e. QE Theatre and the former Ford Theatre are dead outside of event times. The "cultural district" near the library and theatres tends to be devoid of activity.