In 1990, the citizens of Vancouver approved a referendum to build a new Central Library. By 1995 it opened. Say what you will, Moshe’s Safdie’s colisseum design was the popular choice – columned and iconic – for a reason.
VPL Central is now the centrepiece of a neighbourhood without a centre – not quite the CBD, not quite Yaletown, sort of Downtown South, with an energy that flows down the east end of Robson and, still-emerging, West Georgia.
There are the big-box cultural institutions, with the biggest yet to come. There are hotels, corporate showpieces, Asian fast-food and American burger joints, and even a couple of grocery stores. But mostly: residential towers from the green blue glass era of Vancouverism.
And now there’s a place to see it all from a perspective we were always intended to have. Next.
So well said.
I still can’t fathom why there is no green space on ground level. Very disappointing. As a former city councillor, I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this. Maybe Price Tags start a movement to green the library?
Indeed.
The unfortunate cheap reference to Rome in the facade (ellipse excepted) and the barren ground plane are the two biggest knocks against this otherwise great public asset.
Where would you put it though? It’s a good idea, but the north concourse is in shadow for most of the day and the south concourse works just fine as a plaza.