Vancouver Art Gallery’s New Vision: A Bold Restart
Vancouver Art Gallery gets a fresh start! A new, fiscally responsible design is in the works, with 14 Canadian architects competing for the project.
Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver, BC - March 11, 2025 - If you find yourself on Georgia Street, you'll notice a significant construction site across from the Sandman Inn. This site marks the beginning of a long-delayed construction project that, after being initially planned by the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, is now being revived with a new company overseeing its development. The project is being approached with a more fiscally responsible strategy while maintaining its original theme.
Anthony Kiendl, CEO and executive director of the Vancouver Art Gallery, previously highlighted the importance of this project, stating, "This will be a custom-designed, purpose-built art gallery with Indigenous themes at its core. This building is not just any structure; it is uniquely tied to Vancouver’s identity. It profoundly reflects this place, its culture, and will serve as a major representation of the Coast Salish worldview."
Indeed, following in the footsteps of Herzog & de Meuron will present a significant challenge. The legacy of their design and the vision for the gallery will set high expectations for the new firm taking over the project. Ensuring that the new design not only meets these expectations but also captures the original intent and theme, while resonating with Vancouver's culture and Indigenous perspectives, will be crucial.
The original gallery design was set to reach nine stories and encompass 350,000 square feet. The building was planned to feature a combination of wood and glass, creating a welcoming and modern aesthetic. It was intended to include classrooms, artist studios, an Indigenous community space, a theatre, several restaurants, and retail areas, alongside its exhibition spaces.
A Shift in Architectural Direction
Over the last few months, the Vancouver Art Gallery’s (VAG) Board and staff carefully reconsidered how to move forward with their new building. In December 2024, the VAG announced that it would no longer proceed with the design originally developed by Herzog & de Meuron. Instead, a new architectural partner would be selected.
On January 22, 2025, the Vancouver Art Gallery Association’s Board of Trustees officially issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), inviting select Canadian-based architecture firms to submit new designs. This decision represents a pivotal moment in the gallery’s efforts to create a future home that not only celebrates art but also ensures financial feasibility and practicality.
The 14 Invited Architecture Firms
- Diamond Schmitt (Vancouver)
- Formline Architecture & Urbanism (West Vancouver)
- Hariri Pontarini Architects (Toronto)
- HCMA (Vancouver)
- Henriquez Partners Architects (Vancouver)
- Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg (Toronto)
- Michael Green Architecture (Vancouver)
- Office of Macfarlane Biggar (Vancouver)
- Patkau Architects (Vancouver)
- Perkins+Will (Vancouver)
- Revery Architecture (Vancouver)
- Saucier+Perrotte Architectes (Montreal)
- Teeple Architects (Toronto)
- 5468796 Architecture Inc. (Winnipeg)
A New Vision for the Vancouver Art Gallery
The decision to seek new architectural plans stems from rising costs that forced a pause in construction. Originally projected at $400 million, costs escalated to $600 million, leading to the December 2024 decision to scrap the previous design. While site preparation—such as tree removal and asphalt demolition—had already begun, the project had not reached full excavation before being stalled.
Despite the setbacks, the new Vancouver Art Gallery will still be located at 181 West Georgia Street, at Larwill Park in downtown Vancouver. The site is approximately a 15-minute walk from the current VAG building.
More updates will follow as the project progresses, but for now, this new approach signals a fresh start—one focused on both artistic vision and financial sustainability.
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