New Vancouver Art Gallery | Proposed

[jlousa]

I would imagine everything is still up in the air, both the COV and VAG were unaware of this development until just before the announcement. The COV in particular only found out a few hours before hand. A lot of the plan can only happen with COV approval, so I take it the real work is still to happen. I would imagine that the CMP gift of that land is very conditionally on some favourable zoning. If that doesn't doesn't occur there would probably be a plan B of the BC Government buying the land, the deal falling thru, or Pavco trading a chuck of their excess land for that piece.

The Casino will probably be moved but remain in the area, they do not want to move though, they have very extensive plans for a new parkade, as well as upgrading their existing kitchen. If they are forced to move there will be another attempt by the public to shut them down by protesting any zoning changes at their new location.

Creekside park is still set to be a park (not sports fields), it will not be built by Concord though until after their last properties are developed (at least approved). They are still hoping for 5 highrises west of Carrall.

What happens with the Beatty lot at this point is anyones guess. There will obviously be huge pressure on the city for social housing if no gallery is built. I still prefer that location to the false creek one for the gallery. A lot of good work went into the Cultural district plan.

[johnjimbc]

Not sure how much it means but the mayor was quick to point out that the city would still like to make the site a cultural site, perhaps the long awaited location of the Coal Harbour Arts Center (which would obviously need a name change ; ) that was not built due to the new convention center.

I do think there would still be great value in making the site part of a cultural district since the theatres are near by. By building another cultural facility there, it could even help bridge the existing arts facilities to the new Arts Center and existing Science Center on False Creek.

I agree, however, that there may be great pressure to use the land for other purposes, such as below market housing.

[furbe]

Originally Posted by johnjimbc

Not sure how much it means but the mayor was quick to point out that the city would still like to make the site a cultural site, perhaps the long awaited location of the Coal Harbour Arts Center (which would obviously need a name change ; ) that was not built due to the new convention center.

I do think there would still be great value in making the site part of a cultural district since the theatres are near by. By building another cultural facility there, it could even help bridge the existing arts facilities to the new Arts Center and existing Science Center on False Creek.

I agree, however, that there may be great pressure to use the land for other purposes, such as below market housing.

The government actually wanted to build a new office tower on the site, but I believe there was some resistance or problems in accommodating everyone's needs/wishes. Now that the VAG has left, I'm quite sure it's going to be retained as the new Arts Centre in addition to accommodating a new federal office tower. I believe that their ambition is still to do an international design competition as before, although I'm sure there's many issues that have to be worked out before it gets to that stage. So a side benefit to the announcement is that we could potentially be looking at 2 international design competitions and two significant new architectural additions to the city.

I can also confirm the rumor on this forum that most stakeholders didn't even know about this until hours before the announcement. It's a bit scandalous it seems the way it was pushed through without consultation and we'll have to see how that plays out.

I'm a bit mixed in my feelings towards this announcement. On one hand, it's nice to see things moving forward. I'm pleased to see such strong government support, and it gives me hope that maybe we can build something special. The biggest hurdle for getting things like this done seems to be a kind of overriding pessimism in this city that we could never build anything extraordinary or that it's always a waste of money. You need leadership and vision to get things done, and for that I have to give Gordo credit.

The flip side is that I'm not totally sold on the location and question whether the move is going to be a good one for the VAG or not. In order to make it work, I think we now require the architect to build something extraordinary. A building that inspires as much from the exterior as it does from the interior. Otherwise, despite the fact it sits on prime waterfront land, the location is far worse than their current location (or formerly proposed location). It's a fair distance for tourists and residents to walk, far from a transit node, and there are currently no other amenities in the area to draw foot traffic. It really has to be extrodinary to encourage people to visit, and I would hope that the architect also takes full advantage of the location with a top notch restaurant. In many ways, I kind of wish that the Arts Centre was on the waterfront and the VAG was at the formers location. One is more a destination and doesn't rely on foot traffic, where the other does.

[Architype]

False Creek could have been destined to become a showcase of great buildings. The site would have been close to my first choice for an Art Gallery. But "False Creek" is not a great name, maybe it should be renamed, just a thought.

[mr.x]

^ those are some very valid points. I agree, the Beatty bus depot location was much better in terms of pedestrian activity.....but with the False Creek site, they'd better build something really architecturally amazing. That's one reason why the crowds keep flocking to Science World - you'd be surprised how busy it actually is everyday, even though it has mediocre exhibits. It also has SkyTrain, and so does the False Creek site for the art gallery - though Stadium Station is a little bit further away than Science World from Main Street Station.

There's potential that this project can rejuvenate that area of False Creek, bring in some pedestrian activity.....add in the renovations to BC Place across the street and the condo/office tower developments.

[raggedy13]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

There's potential that this project can rejuvenate that area of False Creek, bring in some pedestrian activity.....add in the renovations to BC Place across the street and the condo/office tower developments.

Ya, I'm hoping with upgrades to BC Place and appropriate developments/planning around this new VAG area it will also help improve pedestrian flow from busier areas west. Considering that this VAG site would basically be at the end of Robson Street if not for the barrier of BC Place, quite a bit of pedestrian activity could be tapped if there were improved linkages to Robson successfully drawing people around BC Place. Of course the new residential and other developments in the immediate area should help as well.

Also, there is a good chance that in the future there will be a False Creek watertaxi stop by the VAG. With the no doubt bustling SEFC/Olympic Village nearby and its watertaxi stop there should be a steady flow of people from across the water adding to the pedestrian activity as well.

Originally Posted by deasine

Hopefully they'll start with retail and pedestrian friendly greenways and paths connecting to Carrall Street Greenway, BC Place, GM Place, and Stadium SkyTrain station.

Good point about the Carrall Street Greenway. That should really help improve pedestrian traffic in the area if they are able to integrate it effectively.

[Pinion]

Originally Posted by raggedy13

Also, there is a good chance that in the future there will be a False Creek watertaxi stop by the VAG. With the no doubt bustling SEFC/Olympic Village nearby and its watertaxi stop there should be a steady flow of people from across the water adding to the pedestrian activity as well.

There's already a water taxi stop at the plaza of nations.

And as someone who worked in the plaza for a long time, I have to say the Stadium station is not nearly close enough for tourists. It's a long lonely walk between the stadiums and tourists are already constantly getting disoriented between the intimidating grey walls.

I read talk of a streetcar going from waterfront station to False Creek in a Waterfront Station Hub redevelopment plan pdf? Is that anything more than a dream?

[raggedy13]

Awesome find canucks23, those pics are pretty cool.

Originally Posted by Pinion

There's already a water taxi stop at the plaza of nations.

Oh, good to know, thanks. Clearly I don't make enough use of the water taxis. I guess they'll no doubt intend to keep that service with the VAG there.

[deasine]

Well it would be interesting to see how the City of Vancouver will plan around that area of false creek. Evidently, that will be the new "cultural centre", so I wonder how the City would do that.

Hopefully they'll start with retail and pedestrian friendly greenways and paths connecting to Carrall Street Greenway, BC Place, GM Place, and Stadium SkyTrain station.

[bils]

time to get rid of the viaducts

[agrant]

That would be sweet if they did that. That's got to be one of the biggest eye sores in the city. Unfortunately we can't really just "get rid" of the viaducts without finding an alternative for the traffic to flow. It would cost a multi multi million dollar sum to bury it or do something else I can't imagine right now.

[deasine]

Originally Posted by agrant

That would be sweet if they did that. That's got to be one of the biggest eye sores in the city. Unfortunately we can't really just "get rid" of the viaducts without finding an alternative for the traffic to flow. It would cost a multi multi million dollar sum to bury it or do something else I can't imagine right now.

Would be a little harder too... Spectrum development streets are integrated with the viaducts. Then there are plans to build the StreetCar OMC underneath the Viaducts too.

[Hong Kongese]

I don't mind the viaducts, they just look like bridges to me except they are not over the water.

[Architype]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

There's potential that this project can rejuvenate that area of False Creek, bring in some pedestrian activity.....add in the renovations to BC Place across the street and the condo/office tower developments.

^False Creek will be rejuvenated; it's going to become a much more important focal point in the city. This is just bound to happen anyway, with all the potential that is in the lands around it to the East and South. The viaducts are pretty ugly, you can't get away from that unless they have some cosmetic improvements, but they are no longer strictly necessary because their original purpose no longer exists.

[Hong Kongese]

Originally Posted by Architype

The viaducts are pretty ugly, you can't get away from that unless they have some cosmetic improvements, but they are no longer strictly necessary because their original purpose no longer exists.

What sort of cosmetic improvements you are talking about? Like putting some flowers around them? I think they are just fine as what they are now!

[Architype]

^ Great time lapse there !

Originally Posted by Hong Kongese

What sort of cosmetic improvements you are talking about? Like putting some flowers around them? I think they are just fine as what they are now!

How about paint, some material trim, lights, cleaning, camouflage, flags, murals, landscaping, or adding architectural elements like in the photos above; someone can be creative. Everyone hates viaducts, and these do not have a graceful design.

I was reading some comments on other media sites about the chosen location, and a lot of people don't like it being virtually in the shadow of 2 stadiums (collision of cultures too), also the viaducts, and away from other "cultural" establishments and restaurants. Most people like the waterfront aspect of it though.

[flight_from_kamakura]

the viaducts...

back a few years ago, some folks at city hall were batting around the idea of reorienting them so that the entrances fed from/to main street. the idea was to demolish the overpass there and recuperate a whole load of land. but that was during the tech park days, and i haven't heard a thing about it since then.

other than that, i could see the demolition of the geogia viaduct and a 2-way conversion for dunsmuir, but (sadly) it's inconceivable that both branches would be removed.

[vanman]

I think the viaducts are fine the way they are. Sure they might be a little ugly but as long as they continue to be integrated with the city fabric I don't see any problems with them. Developers are clearly not scared of building near them, the city even built a successful skatepark underneath them and with the future condos/offices that will be built in the area I wouldn't be surprised if some form of retail was eventually built below them. It would be cool if there was some sort of LED lighting of the support columns at night.

[cornholio]

Its not very hard to incorporate street level developments in to the viaducts and make them pretty much invisible. Infact I expect that to happen in the not to distant future as the supply of land in the area disappears. I will go as far as to say that you can incorporate towers between them along their entire length, all it would need is for the city to be a bit flexible and creative. Towers built like the Qube in Vancouver can easily fit and be quite stunning...with retail along the bottom. Really I dont see the viaducts as a problem, infact i see them as a big plus for the city and thanks to them you will end up with that part of town with a fraction of the traffic at ground level that it otherwise would have.

[twoNeurons]

If the Viaducts are really an issue, why not put sound barriers around them, making an architectural statement in the process:


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