General Updates and News

[someone123]

Originally Posted by ns_kid

The province announced today that it is looking to build a new "cultural hub" on the Halifax waterfront. The location and the cost is still unknown, but the new facility would house both NSCAD University (to vacate its Historic Properties buildings) and the Art Gallery (to leave the former Customs House). Also no hints as to what is likely to happen to the historic former buildings. The premier is counting on federal money and significant private investment.

Source: CBC

The article mentions the Salter Block site and the report says this:

The scope of this facility and feasibility study does not include a detailed site plan
and architectural design for the co-located AGNS and NSCAD. At this point it is
simply assumed that the site will be on the Salter Block.

It also mentions that pedestrian counts along the waterfront are estimated at 2.5 million per year. It seems like there's a big advantage to clustering touristy stuff (AGNS, Pier 21, Discovery Centre) in one area near the cruise ship terminal.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by beyeas

From some angles it reminds me of a red brick version of The Rooms.

I'm reserving my opinion until it progresses further.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I'm reserving my opinion until it progresses further.

yup I am still on the fence as well.

[HfxExpat]

On the relocation of the AGNS to the Salter Block, does anyone know a good reason for admission fees being charged at all to access the Art Gallery?

In London UK, all the museums and galleries in the city are free of charge (except for special exhibitions) and you're free to just walk in as you please, no tickets, no lines, no barriers. People love them, they just stroll in to have a coffee and look at a painting or two if they have 20 minutes to spare. The AGNS averages 37,000 visitors a year and makes about $100k annually from admissions, which is less than they make from merchandise sales. Surely it would make sense to do away with admissions fees entirely, make unplanned entry much more attractive for tourists (partic. cruise passengers) and boost merchandise sales, concessions and donations as a result. Having the AGNS and Maritime Museum free for entry on the waterfront would be a great way to show visitors a city that's confident about its culture.

[HfxExpat]

I'd also really like to see the waterfront "cultural hub" include a new performance hall for Symphony Nova Scotia. Salter is big enough for all three and there are clear commercial synergies for adding it.

I don't hold out much hope, but architecturally, there's a big opportunity to do something quite bold on the site to help raise Halifax's international profile in a really lasting way. The gallery or concert hall could be housed in a nautically-inspired Frank Gehry-type statement piece like the one in the picture below (Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA). It could even jut out into the water and be visible from pretty much every part of the waterfront.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by HfxExpat

On the relocation of the AGNS to the Salter Block, does anyone know a good reason for admission fees being charged at all to access the Art Gallery?

In London UK, all the museums and galleries in the city are free of charge (except for special exhibitions) and you're free to just walk in as you please, no tickets, no lines, no barriers. People love them, they just stroll in to have a coffee and look at a painting or two if they have 20 minutes to spare. The AGNS averages 37,000 visitors a year and makes about $100k annually from admissions, which is less than they make from merchandise sales. Surely it would make sense to do away with admissions fees entirely, make unplanned entry much more attractive for tourists (partic. cruise passengers) and boost merchandise sales, concessions and donations as a result. Having the AGNS and Maritime Museum free for entry on the waterfront would be a great way to show visitors a city that's confident about its culture.

The AGNS annual report has somewhat better attendance figures (45,000), but I agree that's not huge and could be a lot better. It'd be greatto do away with admission fees, but that's rarely the case for North American galleries and museums. I assume it has to do with greater funding for European institutions, or more philanthropic cash, or something?

Regardless, I have little hope that the current NS government would make up the revenue shortfall, even if it is only a few hundred grand.

[terrynorthend]

Originally Posted by HfxExpat

I'd also really like to see the waterfront "cultural hub" include a new performance hall for Symphony Nova Scotia. Salter is big enough for all three and there are clear commercial synergies for adding it.

I don't hold out much hope, but architecturally, there's a big opportunity to do something quite bold on the site to help raise Halifax's international profile in a really lasting way. The gallery or concert hall could be housed in a nautically-inspired Frank Gehry-type statement piece like the one in the picture below (Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA). It could even jut out into the water and be visible from pretty much every part of the waterfront.

This. There is a local group that has been promoting a proper performing arts centre in Halifax for some time. Proper concert hall with full back of house support (stage depth, full wings, trapped stage, fly gallery, orchestra pit). The Cohn is a nice auditorium, but the stage downright sucks.

I would LOVE to see this become part of a cultural hub.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by HfxExpat

On the relocation of the AGNS to the Salter Block, does anyone know a good reason for admission fees being charged at all to access the Art Gallery?

In London UK, all the museums and galleries in the city are free of charge (except for special exhibitions) and you're free to just walk in as you please, no tickets, no lines, no barriers. People love them, they just stroll in to have a coffee and look at a painting or two if they have 20 minutes to spare. The AGNS averages 37,000 visitors a year and makes about $100k annually from admissions, which is less than they make from merchandise sales. Surely it would make sense to do away with admissions fees entirely, make unplanned entry much more attractive for tourists (partic. cruise passengers) and boost merchandise sales, concessions and donations as a result. Having the AGNS and Maritime Museum free for entry on the waterfront would be a great way to show visitors a city that's confident about its culture.

That's not completely true, as it is sort of expected that you make donation... you don't have to, but at the Tate Modern, for example, it is customary to buy the programme/map for 5 pounds. This sort of model may make more sense.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by terrynorthend

This. There is a local group that has been promoting a proper performing arts centre in Halifax for some time. Proper concert hall with full back of house support (stage depth, full wings, trapped stage, fly gallery, orchestra pit). The Cohn is a nice auditorium, but the stage downright sucks.

I would LOVE to see this become part of a cultural hub.

I totally agree on the need for a proper performing arts venue that is bigger and better than the Cohn, but don't hold your breath waiting on the Province to construct an iconic building. They simply do not do that sort of thing. If we get one it would likely be a red-brick or wood-clad box designed and built on a low-bid basis. The province is not flush with cash like HRM is and therefore unlikely to spend twice what a "normal" building would cost on a flashy design as HRM did with the stack of glass books on SGR and Queen.

[HfxExpat]

Originally Posted by worldlyhaligonian

That's not completely true, as it is sort of expected that you make donation... you don't have to, but at the Tate Modern, for example, it is customary to buy the programme/map for 5 pounds. This sort of model may make more sense.

Exactly, you feel much happier to donate on your way out when you haven't been made to go through the hassle of buying a ticket and you feel grateful for having free access to the gallery/museum. In London, there's usually a large glass box in the middle of the exit that some people will throw a £5 or £10 in on their way out. I live beside the Tate Britain, and one thing that I've always noticed is that the money in that box is more paper than coin. I'd argue that a fair few people would also feel more compelled to make larger donations or take out memberships to support this kind of cultural benefit for the city.

Between those donations and merchandise + cafe sales from increased footfall, I think it would pay for itself.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by terrynorthend

This. There is a local group that has been promoting a proper performing arts centre in Halifax for some time. Proper concert hall with full back of house support (stage depth, full wings, trapped stage, fly gallery, orchestra pit). The Cohn is a nice auditorium, but the stage downright sucks.

I would LOVE to see this become part of a cultural hub.

I've always felt that it's pretty embarrassing that A: A major regional centre that dates back to the 18th century has not a single grand performance space or theatre remaining, and B: One of our principal performing-arts venues we do have is in a local high school theatre. (The Spatz is an excellent venue, but it doesn't exactly scream "sophistication" when visitors to concerts or other performances have to traipse down a locker-lined hallway when they use the bathroom at intermission. )

I'm a bit suspicious of the edifice-envy that some institutions can fall victim to. I'm not convinced the AGNS needs a new building, so much as it needs improvements in the current building, and the ability to expand and occupy the entirety of gallery south. (The cramped quarters are partly due to the fact that two storeys of that building are still provincial offices). But we absolutely could use some kind of cultural district. Not one that would detract from current facilities, but enhance what the whole city can offer.

[Jonovision]

I am on the fence with this one. I think what kind of upgrades could both NSCAD and the AGNS do to their current locations if they were given the same amount of money that would be spent on building a new location?
I'm sure they could fix some of the problems that these old buildings are presenting to them.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

I am on the fence with this one. I think what kind of upgrades could both NSCAD and the AGNS do to their current locations if they were given the same amount of money that would be spent on building a new location?
I'm sure they could fix some of the problems that these old buildings are presenting to them.

I suspect this is true. However, on the upside, it seems like these buildings would be relatively easy to find good alternate uses for. The old library on the other hand is a bit more challenging, and as far as I know is still empty.

It would also be nice to get rid of the remaining large surface lots on the waterfront.

[Colin May]

Here is a great article about 'signature/iconic buildings/public infratructure'
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/dec/15/urban-white-elephants-edinburgh-boston-calatrava

A really good concert hall/arts centre is expensive; I'd wager circa $300 million and up. I have slides of the Sydney Opera House under construction (early 1966) after the architect flounced off home to Denmark taking the plans with him in a dispute over the cost and delays. We need a few rich benefactors - Sobeys/Risley et al.

[IanWatson]

The Cohn is being renovated/expanded.

[Keith P.]

No go on the Province House lands, at least for a few years, thanks to the Feds not pitching in:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/province-house-legislature-grounds-parking-1.4606138

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

No go on the Province House lands, at least for a few years, thanks to the Feds not pitching in:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/province-house-legislature-grounds-parking-1.4606138

The article is vague. Did the $1M plan include some alternate arrangement for parking, or was it just landscaping? Why does the alternative to federal funding in the hundreds of thousands of dollars (some portion of $1M) mean waiting 5 years for the new development while a little bit of funding would have changed everything?

Why does the federal government have to help maintain a provincial legislature? I understand the NS provincial government always appreciates extra cash, but they don't have to shelve this project. They could easily fund this if it were a priority. I'm surprised the cost to fix this site is so low.

The elephant in the room is the notion that it may be very difficult to get an MLA to understand and follow through with a plan that potentially involves them losing a parking spot!

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by someone123

The elephant in the room is the notion that it may be very difficult to get an MLA to understand and follow through with a plan that potentially involves them losing a parking spot!

Well, the flipside is that their workplace is regularly under siege several times a year by mobs of angry public sector union activists and others who feel aggrieved, so the ability to be kept safe inside a gated compound on those occasions probably has some appeal.

[pblaauw]

Twice now I've heard the rumour that the Queen's Marque project is just the start of a 15-year string of projects on the waterfront. Anyone know of other things planned, besides the NSCAD/AGNS project and the Cunard lot project?

[HfxExpat]

Originally Posted by pblaauw

Twice now I've heard the rumour that the Queen's Marque project is just the start of a 15-year string of projects on the waterfront. Anyone know of other things planned, besides the NSCAD/AGNS project and the Cunard lot project?

If the Cunard development and AGNS/NSCAD get built in a reasonably short timeframe, then I think three likely candidates are:

- Battle of the Atlantic Place for the HMCS Sackville - this has quite a strong case and organisation behind it, and could serve as a really defining and unique characteristic for the city's international image.
- Foundation Block where the waterfront warehouse is - hopefully including the relocation of the tug/industrial wharves, which are now just awkwardly out of place.
- Ralston building - which is has become dead space in an area that should have a prominent building with great ground-level retail.

If all these things get built in the next ten or so years, then Halifax would have arguably the best waterfront in the country and even be on par with the Boston Harbourfront. This would be a huge tourism draw with the potential for plenty of spinoff benefits (YHZ connections, hotel development, tourist numbers at other sites, etc.).