Over the years the Central Library at 750 Burrard Street had become increasingly outdated and overcrowded. In November 1990, Vancouver voters endorsed capital funds for a new central library. The City then bought the site at 350 West Georgia Street from the federal government. The provincial government agreed to a twenty-year lease of two floors in the proposed new building, with the expectation that the library would then acquire the space.
The City held an architectural design contest, which was won by a proposal from architects Moshe Safdie, Richard Archambault and Barry Downs. The Coliseum inspired design was the most unconventional, but it was the public favorite. The Library Square building project was the largest capital project ever undertaken by the City of Vancouver at the time, at an approximate cost of $107 million. The ground-breaking ceremony took place on February 1, 1993, and Library Square was officially opened on May 26, 1995.
05 Dec 16:42
digicam
The Coliseum is the first thing that came to mind when I viewed it Fred. Very beautiful Architectural Library indeed. Of the TWO postings I prefer this one. Thanks for sharing.
Over the years the Central Library at 750 Burrard Street had become increasingly outdated and overcrowded. In November 1990, Vancouver voters endorsed capital funds for a new central library. The City then bought the site at 350 West Georgia Street from the federal government. The provincial government agreed to a twenty-year lease of two floors in the proposed new building, with the expectation that the library would then acquire the space. The City held an architectural design contest, which was won by a proposal from architects Moshe Safdie, Richard Archambault and Barry Downs. The Coliseum inspired design was the most unconventional, but it was the public favorite. The Library Square building project was the largest capital project ever undertaken by the City of Vancouver at the time, at an approximate cost of $107 million. The ground-breaking ceremony took place on February 1, 1993, and Library Square was officially opened on May 26, 1995.
The Coliseum is the first thing that came to mind when I viewed it Fred. Very beautiful Architectural Library indeed. Of the TWO postings I prefer this one. Thanks for sharing.
Congrats on POTD Fred.