Alliance of Vancouver performing arts orgs unveils vision for 'bold' new entertainment district

A coalition of performing arts organizations has unveiled its vision for a brand new, "state-of-the-art" entertainment district in downtown Vancouver.

Following a two-year feasibility study, the Vancouver Cultural Precinct developed a proposal for four new or renovated performance halls to address the city's "critical venue shortage," along with other outdoor public spaces.

According to the VCP, the four venues include:

• A 400-seat Small Hall for recitals, chamber music, storytelling, and Cantonese opera
• An 850-seat Medium Hall for chamber music, recitals, dance, opera, choral works, and small-scale orchestral performances
• A 1,750-seat Concert Hall for large-scale orchestral and choral performances
• A 2,000-seat Large Proscenium venue for opera, ballet, and other large-scale performances requiring theatrical staging and an orchestra pit.

Diamond Schmitt Architects has been tasked with designing the new district and its venues, which could be located on False Creek's northeast shores, at Robson Square, Larwill Park, and Cambie Street.

"At 0.52 seats per thousand residents, Vancouver has the lowest per-capita music hall capacity of any major Canadian or comparable international city," the VCP lamented, "a gap that continues to widen as the region’s population is anticipated to grow by 67% between 2001 and 2029 without a corresponding increase in performance venues."

In comparison, Toronto has 1.03 seats per thousand residents and Melbourne has 1.44 per thousand.

The alliance pointed out that the most "recent contributions to Vancouver’s downtown cultural framework" include the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, built in 1959, the Vancouver Playhouse, constructed three years later, and the restoration of the Orpheum in 1977. 

While the feasibility phase was funded by the VCP's 32 participating organizations, they are now "actively engaged in conversations with civic, provincial, federal, and Indigenous governments, as well as the philanthropic and private sectors, to build the funding coalition required to bring this vision to life."

Investment estimates will be confirmed in Spring 2027 following the finalization of site selection.

The idea has been well-received by elected officials at all levels of government.

"Vancouver has the artists, the audiences, and the ambition of a world-class cultural city," said Mayor Ken Sim. "It's encouraging to see organizations and community leaders advancing ideas that celebrate the arts and strengthen our cultural sector. We appreciate the vision and dedication that has gone into this proposal."

BC Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport Minister Anne Kang noted that as a former music teacher, she knew the importance of having proper venues for the performing arts, while MP Hedy Fry said she believes such a district "will help enable artistic excellence at every scale and greatly expand access to arts and culture for both local residents and visitors alike."

The VCP's participating organizations include Ballet BC, Ballet Vancouver, Canadian International Arts and Music Society, Chor Leoni, City Opera Vancouver, Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, DanceHouse, Dancers of Damelahamid, Early Music Vancouver, Elektra, Friends of Chamber Music, Music on Main, Ne.Sans Opera & Dance, Opera West, Phoenix Chamber Choir, Turning Point Ensemble, Vancouver Academy of Music, Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs, Vancouver Cantata Singers, Vancouver Cantonese Opera, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vancouver Chinese Choir Association, Vancouver Chopin Society, Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra, Vancouver Men’s Chorus, Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, Vancouver Opera, Vancouver Recital Society, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Youth Choir, Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Vetta Chamber Music Society.