[Boris2k7]

Optimistically-speaking, with good materials and superior construction, the AW design could end up being the type that at first seems bland but slowly grows on you the more you are around it.

Pessimistically-speaking, this could end up being really awful. It immediately makes me think of the W.R. Castell Library. The interaction with the street seems much poorer than the SPF design, though not so bad as the DS+R design. The interior spaces seem acceptable, but conservative. This building may end up looking extremely dated when built.

Without knowing exactly what Cantos was looking for in spaces, I can't comment on whether or not their decision was a good one based on that criteria alone. That pretty much leaves speculation based on the grounds of urban design, architecture, cost, and possibly engineering. For all I know, the claims of bias in the selection process could be true. I don't think that people and organizations always (or even often) choose the best design that suits their needs either.

[Innersoul1]

Hey Team,

I am always in contact with the folks over at the CBC eyeopener. I sent this email off to them yesterday:

Hi Falice,

Hope you are doing well, it has been a while since I have written in, ah the joys of a new job. But thought I might pass on some feedback on the new design of the Cantos National Music Centre.

Like many Calgarians I was eager to see the shortlist of designs for Cantos' National Music Centre. With the likes of SPF, Jean Nouvel, and Saucier Perrotte (S+P) on the final list Cantos should be very proud that their vision was able to attract such venerated architectural firms. I along with a number of other Calgary construction, design and urban enthusiast have been debating the designs on the forums at skyscraperpage.com (a site that was featured on the eyeopener). The overreaching conclusion that we were able to draw from the submissions was that the superior designs belonged to SPF Architects and S+P. Clearly, we were caught off gaurd when Cantos annouced that they had selected the design by Allied Works. From a personal perspective I felt that the Allied design and renderings provided were dated, scattered visually bland. Conversely, the designs by SPF and S+P were iconic and spectacular having the potential to provide the city with another breathtaking piece of architecture as Norman Foster's Bow and Calatrava's Peace Bridge will. Clearly, my opinion is only one and Cantos has it's own vision for their future. Unfortunatly, I along with the other design nerds at Skyscraperpage will lament that Cantos picked the wrong design. We can only hope that the material selected to complete the Allied design will do justice to a what will be Canada's only National Music Centre. Until then we will be busy debating the merits of the submissions for the St. Patrick's Bridge competition.

Cheers,

David Powell
St. Vincent de Paul School
Department of Social Studies


I received this response from their producer. Can anyone lend their expertise?

Hi David,

Nice to hear from you, again.

Do you know of any Calgarians involved in the project who is upset like you?

FALICE


Let me know and I can get ya all set up!

[Innersoul1]

Optimistically-speaking, with good materials and superior construction, the AW design could end up being the type that at first seems bland but slowly grows on you the more you are around it.

Pessimistically-speaking, this could end up being really awful. It immediately makes me think of the W.R. Castell Library. The interaction with the street seems much poorer than the SPF design, though not so bad as the DS+R design. The interior spaces seem acceptable, but conservative. This building may end up looking extremely dated when built.

Without knowing exactly what Cantos was looking for in spaces, I can't comment on whether or not their decision was a good one based on that criteria alone. That pretty much leaves speculation based on the grounds of urban design, architecture, cost, and possibly engineering. For all I know, the claims of bias in the selection process could be true. I don't think that people and organizations always (or even often) choose the best design that suits their needs either.


I had listened to an interview on CBC with one of the guys from Cantos talking about the selection process. Essentially it was mentioned that it was very key to Cantos that the designers were someone they could work constructively with throughout the process. This seemed to play an even larger role than the design itself. Given that the interior work by allied seems pretty vague, I have a strong feeling that there will be a large amount of input with Cantos on how the spaces are designed.

I imagine that there might be more changes than those reflected in the recent renderings.

[Wooster]

The Herald's view.

Hail to the King Eddy!

Calgary Herald September 29, 2009

Cantos Music Foundation has hit a high note with the winning design it chose for Calgary's new National Music Centre, revealed earlier this week. Allied Works Architecture of Portland and New York City, partnered with local firm BKDI, won the international competition. The $100-million project will see a series of resonant vessel-like buildings built around the historic King Edward Hotel, which will be restored and reopened as a live-music venue.

This marks the signature piece of architecture needed to launch the much-awaited East Village renaissance. Once completed, visitors will see what looks like an interesting collection of instrument cases, framed around the 1904 hotel.

The renderings also show an outdoor performance space for concerts, on the roof of the King Eddy, most famous for its days as a house of blues in the 1980s.

"The new building forms rise as sentinels around the re-born King Eddy, marking the entry to the East Village and new Music District," says Allied's submission.

Cantos gets our applause for choosing a daring design that pushes the city's architectural boundaries. No one should cry the blues over this amazing masterpiece.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/editorials/Hail+King+Eddy/2044955/story.html

[Calgarian]

Article in the World Architecture News.

Allied Works celebrates winning National Music Centre project in Calgary

The Cantos Music Foundation in Calgary Canada has selected Portland based Allied Works Architecture led by Brad Cloepfil to design a new National Music Centre in Calgary’s East Village. The $100 million project presents an unprecedented opportunity to invent a new kind of institution; the first of its kind in Canada. The new centre, which will incorporate the now defunct historic King Edward Hotel, a legendary house of blues, will be part museum, part education and outreach facility, and part performance space.

Allied Works’ winning proposal, which perhaps owes a debt to the architecture of Louis Kahn, envisions a five-storey building designed as a series of “resonant vessels” or instruments orchestrated by the collections and programs of the new building. The design takes inspiration from the Western landscape, in particular the canyons and mountains of Alberta. “The concept truly captured the heart and soul of this project”, said Andrew Mosker, executive director of the Cantos Music Foundation. “Brad and his team will give us an innovative building that fits with Calgary, Alberta, the West and is symbolic of something that is truly uniquely Canadian”.

Allied Works, which partnered with local firm BKDI, was chosen from a short list of top international competitors: Diller Scofidio+Renfro, New York, with Kasian, Calgary; Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Paris, France; Saucier + Perrotte, Montreal; and SPF:architects of Los Angeles.

Sharon McHugh
US Correspondent


http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=12429

[Ramsayfarian]

I had listened to an interview on CBC with one of the guys from Cantos talking about the selection process. Essentially it was mentioned that it was very key to Cantos that the designers were someone they could work constructively with throughout the process. This seemed to play an even larger role than the design itself. Given that the interior work by allied seems pretty vague, I have a strong feeling that there will be a large amount of input with Cantos on how the spaces are designed.

I imagine that there might be more changes than those reflected in the recent renderings.

I was at a function on the weekend that was attended by a few architects. I spoke to one, who's firm was in the top 5 and he mentioned that of course they're were disappointed that they didn't win, but he personally felt that Allied was the only one who accurately got what Cantos wanted and that the design wasn't trying to Paris or London or New York, but it was indeed Calgary. Whatever the F that means. He also mentioned that SPF, whilst pretty to look at, was actually a giant piece of crap. :) Luckily I didn't have a mouthful of beer when he said that.

[O-tacular]

Yes, let's wallow in the blandness that is Calgary forever. Why should we only accept designs that blend in better with the brutalist concrete crap of decades gone by because it somehow "represents" us better? That is the same narrow minded thinking that has kept us the same for so long. And just cause your architect friend was being polite, doesn't qualify Allied as having the best proposal. SPF crap? Ha!

[O-tacular]

Cantos gets our applause for choosing a daring design that pushes the city's architectural boundaries. No one should cry the blues over this amazing masterpiece.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

WTF?!!

[Ramsayfarian]

Yes, let's wallow in the blandness that is Calgary forever. Why should we only accept designs that blend in better with the brutalist concrete crap of decades gone by because it somehow "represents" us better? That is the same narrow minded thinking that has kept us the same for so long. And just cause your architect friend was being polite, doesn't qualify Allied as having the best proposal. SPF crap? Ha!

I wouldn't call him a friend, but someone I spoke with at an event. When he said that Allied got it, and SPF was crap, he was referring to function not form.

[Calgarian]

WTF?!!

I would say it pushes boundaries, not as much as some of the other proposals, but it is still far better than 99% of the buildings in this city.

[You Need A Thneed]

I would say it pushes boundaries, not as much as some of the other proposals, but it is still far better than 99% of the buildings in this city.

These are pretty much my thoughts as well.

[O-tacular]

:previous: Please elaborate. I'd love to a hear an informed argument in support of this building. I will give Allied credit though for their founder's enthusiasm surrounding the project. He claimed in an interview with FFWD that it is the most important cultural project being built in North America right now.

I really do hope it surpasses my low expectations.

[DizzyEdge]

This is a bit of a bump but I just got back from my self appointed vacation from SSP for the past few months.

I too was the least wowed by the Allied design, although I was very happy that it did restore and retain the most of the original King Eddy, and being in the heritage preservation side of things that did have an effect on me, but honestly even with that I felt that one of other more striking designs should be chosen and perhaps the firm could be convinced to do a more Allied-like treatment on the King Eddy. That said, I will agree with some here that the new renderings certainly give it a more.. active feel, which I think is important, as well as more visual interest.

Can't wait to find out the cladding will be red brick and stucco ;)


(There really does need to be some sort of plus 15 or something between the two main buildings though, perhaps it could have a permanent screen attached?)

[O-tacular]

The other day I was taking a shower and noticed a remarkable resemblance between the bottle of shampoo I was using and Allied's music centre design...

[jeffwhit]

Arcspace posted a article on Cantos- Nothing I can see will be news to anyone here though:
http://www.arcspace.com/architects/allied_works/nmc/nmc.html

[O-tacular]

“Conceptually, the project was formed thinking of “resonant vessels” or instruments orchestrated by the collections and programs of the new building. We really do see the building as an instrument. The body of the building is designed and detailed to refer to instrument cases, while the freer forms of the interior are influenced by acoustics. Entering an exhibition gallery, a visitor will activate a threshold of sound, there will be ambient sound throughout and an interactive acoustical area where visitors can make sound with their bodies. Silence will also be present as an important element of the soundscape.”
Brad Cloepfil

The description of the outside referencing an instrument case gives a slightly better idea of what the mysterious brick-like exterior material in the renderings might look like.

[jeffwhit]

It does? Most instrument cases are cloth covered...

[O-tacular]

Really? I was thinking more along the lines of that bumpy, faux alligator skin plastic. Though it looks nothing like that in the rendering.

[jeffwhit]

^^yes really. (although, I was being sort of a sarcastic dick on purpose, I know what you meant.) Yeah I have no idea what they're getting at.

[Calgarian]

Is it built yet? lol

[AUM]

There are several rumors floating around reagarding this projects:

1. BKDI has been replaced by Graham Edmunds as the local firm. (Confirmed through sources.)
2. The project is going Construction Management. ( This may be old news but could mean a watered down project to save money)
3. Allied Works is no longer the prime Consultant? (Can anyone substantiate this?)

[CorporateWhore]

So what you're saying is the sucky concept we all disliked will get even suckier, and won't even be supervised by the lead sucky architect?

[You Need A Thneed]

Many projects of that size go construction management. I would have been surprised if it didn't.

[AUM]

So what you're saying is the sucky concept we all disliked will get even suckier, and won't even be supervised by the lead sucky architect?

My fears are all the hype and excitiment are going to crash and again this will become another failed attempt at doing something great here. I was not a fan of Allied Works concept but I did appreciated the process and excitment of the competition.

[Bigtime]

There are several rumors floating around reagarding this projects:

1. BKDI has been replaced by Graham Edmunds as the local firm. (Confirmed through sources.)
2. The project is going Construction Management. ( This may be old news but could mean a watered down project to save money)
3. Allied Works is no longer the prime Consultant? (Can anyone substantiate this?)

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6364/emotsuicide.gif

Thank the Gods/Flying Spaghetti Monster that we are at least getting the Calatrava bridge in pretty much the original version.

[You Need A Thneed]

could mean a watered down project to save money)
3. Allied Works is no longer the prime Consultant? (Can anyone substantiate this?)

I'd be surprised by this, since the city gave them (Cantos) money to start on the final drawing preparation.

[Calgarian]

Interesting about BKDI being fired as the local consultant, that seems to happen to them quite a bit. not very good news if Allied was replaced / stepped down.

I expect this thing to be very watered down, Calgary has a way of not living up to expectations.

[Calgarian]

Any news on the status of drawings? is there funding yet? how about a DP? I would really like to see this kick off the redevelopment of the EV.

[You Need A Thneed]

Any news on the status of drawings? is there funding yet? how about a DP? I would really like to see this kick off the redevelopment of the EV.

The city front ended a portion of their money to help the drawings get underway.

http://cantos.ca/kingeddy/

[Calgarian]

The city front ended a portion of their money to help the drawings get underway.

http://cantos.ca/kingeddy/

That's good to hear. Did anyone find out for sure whether Allied / BKDI have been dropped?

[O-tacular]

Could the architects / industry people on here please explain to a lay person like myself how the Architect of the building in question could be fired while retaining their design? Is it just that they will not oversee the physical construction? Will they have any say if the design is altered in any way (plus wouldn't that violate some sort of intellectual property rights?). I seem to recall someone posting a pic of another Allied project that had changes tacked on afterward that ended up spelling "HI" with the windows.:haha:

As you all can guess by my previous posts, I was very bitter about Allied beating out everyone else, but to water down what I already thought looked drab will turn it to gruel! Damn, I was actually looking forward to this one after forgetting the disappointment of the competition (It is still interresting for Calgary). This is very bad news that I hope only ends up being gossip. That or
I hope Cantos has the balls to see this through properly even without BKDI and Allied. Fingers crossed.

[O-tacular]

Wow, first St. Patrick's, now this.... hopefully EV doesn't pinch too many more pennies.

[Arch26]

Could the architects / industry people on here please explain to a lay person like myself how the Architect of the building in question could be fired while retaining their design? Is it just that they will not oversee the physical construction? Will they have any say if the design is altered in any way (plus wouldn't that violate some sort of intellectual property rights?). I seem to recall someone posting a pic of another Allied project that had changes tacked on afterward that ended up spelling "HI" with the windows.:haha:

As you all can guess by my previous posts, I was very bitter about Allied beating out everyone else, but to water down what I already thought looked drab will turn it to gruel! Damn, I was actually looking forward to this one after forgetting the disappointment of the competition (It is still interresting for Calgary). This is very bad news that I hope only ends up being gossip. That or
I hope Cantos has the balls to see this through properly even without BKDI and Allied. Fingers crossed.

Allied is still very much on the job. And the project has barely started, so it's really too early to speculate about anything relating to the design.

[AUM]

My previous post was speculation and inquiry about BKDI and Allied's current state of involvement. The reason I was asking is that I've heard from several sources in the field that GEC has taking over the roll that BKDI held. However, Allied's status as far as it seems is still active on the project.

With regards to intellectual property, in some cases the client owns the design and has the right to alter and change the project as they see fit. In some ways it is not much different from SAIT TTC. With Bing Thom and MTA no longer on the project GGA is now moving forward with the Masterplan orginally completed by BT but with their own spin on it.

[Ice Cream Man]

Allied Works is still the Prime on the project. That hasn't changed. BKDI is off as the local consultant.

I'm almost sure it's GEC that has taken over BKDI's role.

[O-tacular]

Well that's good news. The sky may not be falling after all.

[Calgarian]

Update from Cantos' website

National Music Centre Project Update May 2010

Allied Works Architects are busy consulting staff and stakeholders to ensure the design of the new building will meet the needs of the organization for the long term. Each of our teams, i.e. programming, collections, marketing, development, administration and so on, are voicing their needs and aspirations for the national music centre with the architects and program planners taking notes on how to design the best possible space to bring these dreams and aspirations to fruition.

This is a very technical part of the design of the National Music Centre project that looks at how staff and end users will interact with the space. Where should the loading dock be? How do people naturally engage and move through exhibits? What sorts of areas need to be adjacent to one another? How will future growth in collections and programs influence the design today? How will technology be integrated into the design?

Stay tuned as we move through this phase towards a final conceptual design for the project!
http://cantos.ca/kingeddy/

[GoTall]

Allied Works is still the Prime on the project. That hasn't changed. BKDI is off as the local consultant.

I'm almost sure it's GEC that has taken over BKDI's role.


GEC has taken over BKDI's role, and Allied is definitely the prime still.

Cantos is most of the way through the schematic design stage of the project now, and I understand the fundraising is going quite well.

[AUM]

^^^Thanks for the update!

[Calgarian]

I hope the design isn't watered down too much, despite the fact that it was the least striking of the proposals, it's still a great design.

[You Need A Thneed]

I hope the design isn't watered down too much, despite the fact that it was the least striking of the proposals, it's still a great design.

I think if the building maintains the shape of the renderings, and has some really good exterior material, that the building will look really great.

Watering down/ugly material and the building could look really boring.

I have faith that its going to look pretty good.

[Aegis]

What is the reason for the change in consultants?

[Calgarian]

What is the reason for the change in consultants?

I seriously doubt that will ever be made public. My guess would be a fee issue, or design control issues.

[Calgarian]

Update from the Cantos website.


National Music Centre Project Update June 2010
As the architects finish up with schematic design, the marketing team is getting ready to unleash the new National Music Centre (NMC) brand. After extensive stakeholder consultation, Cantos and its branding consultant, Identica, have come up with a brand and visual language we feel capture the heart and soul of music and of the National Music Centre.

Cantos and NMC fans can sneak a peak at the new look during the Stampede this year at the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame July 9-20, 2010.

Keep your eyes open in future issues of our Music Matters montly newsletter for the new brand’s debut!
They haven't submitted a DP yet have they?

[mersar]

Update from the Cantos website.


They haven't submitted a DP yet have they?

Nothing that I've seen yet.

[Calgarian]

Do they have a land use re-designation yet? Sounds like ground breaking will be next spring at the earliest.

[mersar]

I believe their land use redesignation was included in the huge rezoning of most of the east village that was done by the city a couple months ago. Myproperty shows the lot the King Eddy is on as CC-ET (a transititional zoning between the residential and the CBD, page 751 of 1P2007 (http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/dba/land_use_bylaw_review/bylaw_1p2007.pdf))

[Calgarian]

Anyone heard anything on this one as of late? they were supposed to have their latest design on displat at the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame July 9-20, anyone check it out?

I still have my doubts about this actually happening.

[MichaelS]

Well they recently registered with the Canadian Green Building Council for their LEED certification:
http://www.cagbc.org/leed/leed_projects/registered_projects/building_registrations13499.php?project_city=Calgary&project_province=AB

Registered July 26th, so they are still moving forward in some areas. If they don't get the additional funding from the province or fed's, they may just do it in phases, perhaps restoring the King Eddy only at first, and waiting for more money to build the east portion.

[artvandelay]

I'm not too worried about this one, the backers of Cantos have deep pockets from what I hear.

[Stang]

I'm not too worried about this one, the backers of Cantos have deep pockets from what I hear.

I was talking to one of the Cantos head honchos at a function a few weeks back. He said that there was still a lot of fundraising to do, but seemed optimistic that they'd reach the goal. Lots of corporate interest thus far, and of course, the government contributions.

[unibrain]

I was talking to one of the Cantos head honchos at a function a few weeks back. He said that there was still a lot of fundraising to do, but seemed optimistic that they'd reach the goal. Lots of corporate interest thus far, and of course, the government contributions.

I believe they are aiming for a summer 2012 opening date

[Ramsayfarian]

I'm not too worried about this one, the backers of Cantos have deep pockets from what I hear.

I hope they also have long arms.

[elconsulto]

I believe they are aiming for a summer 2012 opening date

Does that mean this might start soon?

[mersar]

From what I've heard from someone who knows a lot more about the project then I do is that they've had a few delays due to them not realizing the building sits in a flood zone, the King Eddy would be grandfathered from needing to be changed but the other size needs to be raised up, making things not line up and forcing a lot of redesign.

[DizzyEdge]

From what I've heard from someone who knows a lot more about the project then I do is that they've had a few delays due to them not realizing the building sits in a flood zone, the King Eddy would be grandfathered from needing to be changed but the other size needs to be raised up, making things not line up and forcing a lot of redesign.

That's a very strange thing to not know considering all the roads are being raised to deal with that...

[unibrain]

http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/3646193.bin?size=sw940nws

Cantos funding announcement as good as gold
Global News: Friday, October 8, 2010

CALGARY - A major funding announcement is expected next week, concerning the $120-million Cantos Music Foundation’s National Music Centre.

There are reports that all three levels of government will be buying into the project to help revitalize Calgary’s music scene and anchor the East Village development.

“People are excited about music and excited about this project so we think, we feel, very confident that we will reach a conclusion together,” says Andrew Mosker, Executive Director of the Cantos Music Foundation.

That’s as close as Mosker will get to confirming the news, however, Global News has learned from other sources that the government funding announcement is as good as gold.

Mosker says there will be no other centre like it in the world for music education, public interaction and performance with dedicated spaces for artists.

“The building is really involving, it’s so exciting, it’s going to be a wonderful landmark in the East Village for Alberta and for the country and a magnet for music globally once it’s done.”

Up to $25-million each will be needed from the municipal, provincial and federal level. An official funding announcement is expected Tuesday during a media conference. Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice, Premier Ed Stelmach, Alberta’s cultural minister Lindsay Blackett and Mayor Dave Bronconnier will be present at the event.

Earlier this week, a Vancouver developer bought into East Village with a $300-million project, which includes 700,000 square feet of new residential and retail space.

The project represents about 15 per cent of the available, developable land in East Village, the first substantial development in the neighbourhood in almost a decade.

© Copyright (c) CW Media Inc.
http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/Cantos+funding+announcement+good+gold/3646201/story.html

This will be a fantastic addition to the East Village, and a stepping stone in the right direction as far as standards go.

[You Need A Thneed]

Awesome news!

I'm assuming that the $25 million from the city is what they have already given, not new money.

I'm so looking forward to going to this building regularly when it is completed.

Unibrain, do you know what the cladding material is?

[MalcolmTucker]

Is that a new render? Looks much more warm, or maybe the design has just grown on me.

[CorporateWhore]

Still not loving this proposal, but either way, it's good to see things progressing.

[Wooster]

I hear that Cantos as it has progressed through detailed design has changed quite a bit.

Either way, looking forward to seeing the result. Great news if true that funding is coming through! :tup:

[You Need A Thneed]

Well, if what Mersar states above is true, that would certainly force some redesign. The front doors would have to be above the flood level.

Are they going to raise the street there yet? If so, how do they do that while maintaining the existing King Eddy building?

[Calgarian]

Lets hope something happens soon, and lets hope the design hasn't been watered down. We need something relatively cutting edge in this city.

[Radley77]

According to the City of Calgary mapping, the King Eddy site should be above the 1:100 year floodplain:

http://www.calgary.ca/DocGallery/BU/planning/pdf/land_use_bylaw_review/flood_plains_section_maps/fwfp1524015.pdf

Waterlevel is going to be a big issue with anything potentially built on St. Patrick's Island though as it lies in the floodway...

http://www.calgary.ca/DocGallery/BU/planning/pdf/land_use_bylaw_review/flood_plains_section_maps/fwfp1424015.pdf

[kw5150]

Wow, what a building!!! This is very excitng. This building will blend with the municipal building, epcor, and the glenbow in terms of scale and massing. I hope the shiny material will come through in the end. With the addition of the underpass, this will be a striking gateway into the east village. No complaints here.....

This venue will also be very important to the arts in calgary. I am very excited for this contribution to our core.

I kind of saw the plus 15 (or 45) being cut down in size for budget but they managed to keep the redesign balanced. Godd work.

[CorporateWhore]

Just as a comparison, Allied design for the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, in Quebec City.

http://blog.alliedworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/AWA_Overhead_Winter8.jpg

http://blog.alliedworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/MNQ_mdl_5411_Final3.jpg

http://blog.alliedworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/AWA_Facade3.jpg

I'm not an Allied fan, mostly based on their bland design of MAD here in NY, but I do like this particular art center. It's still pretty hard to decipher what exactly Cantos will be though (which is why I hated it's selection, the whole proposal was a bunch of archibabble).

[Calgarian]

That project in QC looks fantastic! hopefully the re-designed Cantos will look as good.

[Bigtime]

That is a very sharp looking arts centre, I may have to finally go and see Quebec city when it is complete. That is a long overdue trip.

[O-tacular]

That is a very sharp looking arts centre, I may have to finally go and see Quebec city when it is complete. That is a long overdue trip.

Well worth it! Quebec city is on the short list of must see cities in North America. The old city is actually the only walled city in North America.

[You Need A Thneed]

October 12, 2010
Alberta supports creation of National Music Centre in Calgary

Edmonton... The dream of a music and cultural centre in Calgary’s east village took another step toward reality with the announcement by Premier Ed Stelmach that the Government of Alberta will support development and construction of the National Music Centre.

“We are proud to build on Cantos Music Foundation’s efforts with a funding commitment of up to $25 million,” said Premier Stelmach. “The Foundation should be commended on their contributions to Alberta’s music and cultural life through their public and artistic development programs.”
The new facility, including rejuvenating the old King Edward Hotel, will allow Cantos Music Foundation to expand its programming and make its musical artifact collection and professional development initiatives more accessible to all Albertans. The National Music Centre will support all levels of artists, from children to established professionals, and offer public programming to support audience development and access to the arts as outlined in Alberta’s cultural policy, The Spirit of Alberta.

“The Government of Canada is focussed on investing in and improving infrastructure that will create jobs and stimulate local economies,” said Honourable Jim Prentice, Environment Minister and Regional Minister for Southern Alberta. “This cultural infrastructure project will greatly contribute to the economic prosperity of Calgary and promote arts and culture, while preserving Canada’s music legacy for generations to come.”

“Cantos’ partnership with arts groups throughout the province sets an example for all organizations as to what can be accomplished by working together,” said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit.

This funding will be provided to the Cantos Music Foundation within a three year time period and will flow following elimination of provincial budget deficits.

“I would like to thank Premier Stelmach and Minister Blackett for their leadership and support of the National Music Centre vision, a place where Canada’s national music story will thrive through historic living music collections and innovative programs for students, musicians, seniors, researchers and tourists,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO of Cantos Music Foundation and the National Music Centre.



From Alberta Government Website. (http://www.alberta.ca/acn/201010/29294A1169A56-A2CC-AA07-A2BC1B03A5639372.html)

[Calgarian]

Good news!

[CorporateWhore]

Has the scope of this place changed at all, or is the "National Music Centre" name just for show?

[Bigtime]

So did Cantos put out any updated renderings to go along with this announcement?

[You Need A Thneed]

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Calgary, AB — Cantos Music Foundation and the National Music Centre project are thrilled to announce equal commitments of $25 million each from the Province of Alberta and the Government of Canada’s Infrastructure department toward the building of Canada’s National Music Centre (NMC) in Calgary.

Combined with the City of Calgary’s leading $25-million commitment earlier this year, the National Music Centre project is now officially on its way to realization.

“This is a monumental leap forward in bringing our vision of a national destination to reality,” said NMC President and CEO Andrew Mosker. “We are so grateful to the municipal, provincial and federal governments for their support of this project and to Canadians for making an investment in a place that will tell our music story and connect Canadians to each other and to our heritage through the power of music.”

Minister of Environment and Minister Responsible for Southern Alberta Jim Prentice, Premiere Ed Stelmach, Alberta Minister of Culture and Community Spirit Lindsay Blackett, and Mayor Dave Bronconnier joined Mosker today for the announcement at Cantos Music Foundation.

“Our Government is focused on investing in and improving infrastructure that will create jobs and stimulate local economies,” said Minister Prentice. “This cultural infrastructure project will greatly contribute to the economic prosperity of Calgary and promote arts and culture, while preserving Canada’s music legacy for generations to come.”
“We are proud to build on Cantos Music Foundation’s efforts with a funding commitment of up to $25 million,” said Premier Stelmach. “They are to be commended on their contributions to Alberta’s music and cultural life through their public and artistic development programs.”

“We’re delighted to see both the federal and provincial governments joining with the City and Cantos to see this project become a reality,” said Mayor Bronconnier. “It’s an important step forward for our East Village Redevelopment plan, and for Calgary’s arts community.”

The $120 – $130 million, 110,000 sq.ft. National Music Centre will give Canadians a place that amplifies the love, the sharing and the understanding of music through collections and exhibitions, programs, research and collaborations across the country. Located at the site of the historic King Edward Hotel, the project will be a catalyzing force in the revitalization of Calgary’s East Village and provide an iconic piece of cultural infrastructure to Calgary, to Alberta and for all Canadians.

-30-

Media Inquiries
Camie Leard, Manager
Marketing, Communications and Public Relations
Cantos Music Foundation/National Music Centre Project
Direct Line: (403) 543-5122
Cell: (403) 874-7694
leardc@cantos.ca

[unibrain]

Some more footage from today's annoucement:

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101012/CGY_Cantos_Music_101012/20101012/?hub=CalgaryHome

[devonb]

So, with that $75 million from government plus the private investments (which I thought I heard was around $50 million), should that put us on course for getting this built soon? The website says the estimated cost would be $120-130 million.

[Calgarian]

Here's hoping they can break ground next summer.

[Wooster]

Are they going to start with the King Eddy side, and then go forward with the larger building once the $50 million is raised? That's an ambitious corporate and private donor goal.

Either way, excellent news. This will be one of Calgary's cultural gems.

[MalcolmTucker]

I don't think they broke it down, but part of that goal might be an operating endowment and initial programming costs. Much easier to raise private cash once shovels are in the ground (well, an inflection point, you get a different donor pool once the ground has broken). I would expect them to take a loan and break ground as soon as possible.

[Calgarian]

DP is in! here's hoping they can break ground this summer (though that would be tight!) http://cantos.ca/kingeddy/

[You Need A Thneed]

Aweome. I am so looking forward to going to the new building.

[Calgarian]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to this project kicking off the East Village and the new Stampede Trail.

[Bigtime]

This is from Chris Ollenberger's twitter feed this morning:

And for you heritage buffs, Cantos now proposing to keep entire Eddy building for National Music Centre by Allied Arch in latest plans!

[DizzyEdge]

This is from Chris Ollenberger's twitter feed this morning:

Yet another set of renderings that need to be leaked it sounds like.

My one concern is when are we going to have a rendering that we know is the actual final product.

[unibrain]

Yet another set of renderings that need to be leaked it sounds like.

My one concern is when are we going to have a rendering that we know is the actual final product.

The renderings on Allied's website is the most recent. This will be a fairly neat building once it's complete. The terracotta tile on the exterior should be pretty interesting.

[outoftheice]

I'm confused by the tweet... was the King Eddy ever not part of the plans? I thought that was the whole point.... What have I missed?

[mersar]

I'm confused by the tweet... was the King Eddy ever not part of the plans? I thought that was the whole point.... What have I missed?

Originally they were only going to keep part of the building, essentially just the front, and tear down the rest and rebuild a new structure in its place. Now it sounds like they are going to keep the existing structure in its entirety.

[Wooster]

I think he means more that the back 5 storey portion will be retained. Originally it was only going to be the shorter front portion of the building.

[DizzyEdge]

The renderings on Allied's website is the most recent. This will be a fairly neat building once it's complete. The terracotta tile on the exterior should be pretty interesting.

Except those renderings all show the taller portion of the King Eddy removed, so I guess there will be new renderings forthcoming.

[DizzyEdge]

I'm confused by the tweet... was the King Eddy ever not part of the plans? I thought that was the whole point.... What have I missed?

from the allied site: http://www.alliedworks.com/projects/national-music-centre-canada
It was originally just the lower part:

http://www.alliedworks.com/db/awa/national-music-centre-canada/1.5x_NMC_Panorama_7512-7517_crop.jpg

http://www.alliedworks.com/db/awa/national-music-centre-canada/2x_100802_3qrt_book_final_2_o.jpg

[frinkprof]

Chris Ollenberger of CMLC has tweeted a series of photos from his tour of the King Eddy prior to renovations commencing.

Follow this link and click the arrows to the left to go through the album.

http://yfrog.com/h8fxzayj

[monocle]

Chris Ollenberger of CMLC has tweeted a series of photos from his tour of the King Eddy prior to renovations commencing.

Follow this link and click the arrows to the left to go through the album.

http://yfrog.com/h8fxzayj

Awesome pictures!
Was that pole/mini stage a stripping apparatus?
Did BB King actually stay there?

[Ramsayfarian]

Awesome pictures!
Was that pole/mini stage a stripping apparatus?
Did BB King actually stay there?

I saw those shots last night. Brought a tear to my eye. The Eddy did have peelers during the day and I think some evenings. Needless to say the dancers weren't top notch.

I was there once when some biker chick had brought her 18 year old sister to dance for her very first time. Most depressing strip show I've ever seen.

[Calgarian]

I saw those shots last night. Brought a tear to my eye. The Eddy did have peelers during the day and I think some evenings. Needless to say the dancers weren't top notch.

I was there once when some biker chick had brought her 18 year old sister to dance for her very first time. Most depressing strip show I've ever seen.

Sounds pretty classy.

Thanks for posting that frink, looks really depressing and run down. I definitely don't envy the people that had to clean out the 2' of dead birds. lol and I don't envy the people that have to renovate the place either.

[Stang]

Perhaps as much a Cantos questions as a "Calgary Roads" question : when is the underpass on 4th Street SE under the CPR tracks going to be finished? I see this as a big step forward for both the East Village and Victoria Park.

[frinkprof]

^Open to traffic in the fall.

[Mazrim]

Chris Ollenberger of CMLC has tweeted a series of photos from his tour of the King Eddy prior to renovations commencing.

Follow this link and click the arrows to the left to go through the album.

http://yfrog.com/h8fxzayj

Looks like some severe water damage to the place...are they going to strip it down to the supports and rebuild it? I can't imagine keeping much of anything else from it based on it's current condition.

[You Need A Thneed]

Looks like some severe water damage to the place...are they going to strip it down to the supports and rebuild it? I can't imagine keeping much of anything else from it based on it's current condition.

I'm pretty sure it will be stripped to basic structure, leaving nothing more. All the electrical, mechanical, finishes, other systems, will all be taken out. At that point, they will probably repair and strengthen the existing structure, before rebuilding everything else new from scratch.

The state of the building reminds me quite a bit of the Lorraine building, which we renovated. We stripped it down to basic structure, repaired (6 inches of the bottoms of the wood columns had rotten away in some places) and levelled that, and built new.

Simply stripping the building down the building to structure is quite a project.

[Ramsayfarian]

Sounds pretty classy.

Thanks for posting that frink, looks really depressing and run down. I definitely don't envy the people that had to clean out the 2' of dead birds. lol and I don't envy the people that have to renovate the place either.

I just wished they had more pics of the basement. It was scarier than hell when it was still open. Can't imagine it now. There's a good chance those 2' of dead birds were there when the place was still open as the 5th floor was closed for over a decade.

[GoTall]

I'm pretty sure it will be stripped to basic structure, leaving nothing more. All the electrical, mechanical, finishes, other systems, will all be taken out. At that point, they will probably repair and strengthen the existing structure, before rebuilding everything else new from scratch.

The state of the building reminds me quite a bit of the Lorraine building, which we renovated. We stripped it down to basic structure, repaired (6 inches of the bottoms of the wood columns had rotten away in some places) and levelled that, and built new.

Simply stripping the building down the building to structure is quite a project.


Exactly right on all counts. Mech, electrical, finishes are all worthless on the interior.