Vancouver Art Gallery’s Bold Vision Faces Fresh Start
Vancouver Art Gallery’s ambitious project faces challenges and a restart, shifting to a cost-conscious approach for a modern cultural hub.
Vancouver
Vancouver, BC - February 26, 2025 - The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) project in downtown Vancouver has faced a rollercoaster of developments, marked by ambition, setbacks, and a looming restart. Initially launched to replace the gallery’s outdated courthouse home, the project gained momentum in 2015 when Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron was selected to design a striking, nine-storey building at Cambie and West Georgia streets. Featuring a copper-woven facade inspired by Coast Salish traditions, the design promised to double exhibition space and elevate Vancouver’s cultural profile. Construction began in March 2024, following a “ground-awakening” ceremony in September 2023, with costs estimated at $400 million.
However, by August 2024, the project hit a wall. Inflation and rising construction costs drove the budget to $600 million—a 33% increase—forcing a pause. Despite raising $350 million, including major donations from the Audain Foundation and Chan Family Foundation, the financial strain proved unsustainable. In December 2024, VAG scrapped Herzog & de Meuron’s design entirely, severing ties with the firm after a decade. Critics, including local philanthropist Bob Rennie, had long questioned the “starchitect” approach, advocating for a more modest vision.
Now, the gallery is restarting with a Canadian-focused strategy. In January 2025, VAG invited 14 domestic firms to submit cost-conscious proposals, targeting $240 million in construction costs for a smaller, practical building. As of February 26, 2025, the project remains in limbo, awaiting a new design to finally bring Vancouver’s art community the modern space it deserves.
As mentioned in the Art Newspaper, according to Jon Stovell, chair of the gallery’s board and president of the local real estate development company Reliance Properties, the target budget is C$1,200 ($832) per square foot for hard construction costs—or around C$240m ($166m) for a 200,000 sq. ft building. Soft costs for design fees and financing would be additional. This would likely mean a leaner, sparer design than that envisioned by Herzog & de Meuron, which featured copper mesh facades in homage to local Salish weaving.
In conclusion, the VAG project exemplifies the challenges of large-scale cultural developments. While the initial vision was grand, financial realities have forced a reevaluation. The shift towards a more pragmatic approach could ultimately ensure the gallery’s future, proving that adaptability is key in ambitious urban projects.
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