National

Vancouver Art Gallery scuttles $600M design of new building, parts way with architect

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Dec, 2024 12:37 PM

The Vancouver Art Gallery says it is not going ahead with a planned design for its new home after construction costs soared by $200 million.

Vancouver Art Gallery CEO Anthony Kiendl also says in a written statement that it would no longer be working with the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, although it remains committed to building a new cultural hub that will “serve and inspire diverse audiences.”

Construction at the site of the new building in downtown Vancouver will be paused, just a few months after the gallery announced that the estimated cost surged from the original budget of $400 million to $600 million for the nine-level tower.

Kiendl says that his organization has been reassessing the project ever since, and “it has become clear” that the gallery needs a new way forward to meet its artistic mission and vision, and its practical needs.

The new art gallery was to be opened in 2028, and fundraising efforts raised more than $350 million for the project by August.

Officials had said that the first stage of pre-construction has been completed, and Kiendl says the gallery will reveal more details on its next steps “over the coming months.”

“Our goal is to create a building that embodies a diverse and inclusive artistic vision while ensuring financial sustainability within a fixed budget,” he says. “We recognize that inflation has put tremendous pressure on our plans, as it has done with many capital projects following the pandemic.

“At its last meeting, the board approved updated strategic priorities that will guide the gallery as we move forward," the statement says.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Winter storm watch issued as snow, heavy rain expected for B.C. coast

The storm is expected to start tonight and persist until Sunday. More heavy snow is expected in the inland sections of the north coast — including Stewart, which has already received 40 to 55 cm of snow this week — with up to 40 cm more expected between Saturday night and Monday.

Winter storm watch issued as snow, heavy rain expected for B.C. coast

BC Ferries CEO floats prospect that fares may rise 30% or more in 2028

The CEO of BC Ferries is warning the company may need to increase fares by 30 per cent or more in 2028, when the current fare structure expires. Nicolas Jimenez says in a written statement the corporation had forecast last year that such a price rise would be needed to keep up with operating and capital costs, but costs since then have spiked, including a 40 per cent jump in shipbuilding expenses.

BC Ferries CEO floats prospect that fares may rise 30% or more in 2028

Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says

The union representing Canada Post workers says the Crown corporation has been laying off striking employees as the labour action by more than 55,000 workers approaches the two-week mark. In a notice to members posted Monday, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers called the layoffs a "scare tactic" and said it's looking into the situation.

Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says

Eliminating open-net fish farms in B.C. would cost taxpayers billions: report

The proposed federal ban on open net-pen salmon farms in British Columbia coastal waters will cost taxpayers billions and seriously impact Canada's economy, food security and Indigenous communities, says a report commissioned by the BC Salmon Farmers Association.

Eliminating open-net fish farms in B.C. would cost taxpayers billions: report

Liberal GST holiday expected to pass soon as government introduces solo bill

The Liberal government introduced a stand-alone bill to implement its proposed GST holiday Wednesday, hours after the NDP threatened it would not pass the legislation if it was linked to a $250 rebate for working Canadians. The bill would give people a two-month GST exemption on items like premade food at grocery stores, children's clothes, toys, some alcoholic beverages and other holiday season staples.

Liberal GST holiday expected to pass soon as government introduces solo bill

Significant snowfall for parts of BC

Environment Canada says a "series of upper disturbances combining with cold arctic air" will result in significant snowfall to parts of B-C's northern and central Interior. It says up to 25 centimetres of snow is expected in the region by tomorrow afternoon.