RAM - Royal Alberta Museum

kcantor · #1 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:01 PM**

"April 7, 2011

New Royal Alberta Museum to mirror Alberta's past, present, and future

Edmonton... A new comprehensive Royal Alberta Museum will be built in downtown Edmonton starting this year, featuring twice as much gallery space, direct connections to public transit, proximity to the Arts District, and the ability to host major international exhibits and rare artifacts. The new museum will be equipped to showcase both Alberta’s history and its natural wonders, and will be free of the limitations of the current museum site.

“Great urban centres around the world are known for their museums and cultural institutions. They help shape the character and fabric of a community, and bring the past to life,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “This is an unprecedented opportunity to create a new provincial museum in the heart of Alberta’s capital city that will bring our province’s past, present, and future to life in new and compelling ways.

...”

complete news release at:

http://www.alberta.ca/acn/201104/301...l#backgrounder

photos and video available at:

http://www.infrastructure.alberta.ca/3654.htm

Coldrsx · #2 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:04 PM**

Caught me off guard, that's for sure....

104ave could be very interesting in about 4 yrs.

feepa · #3 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:14 PM**

Imagine if Stationlands had landed to portrait gallery as well....

ue · #4 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:17 PM**

Now we just need something to be put in NEC 101 St/103A Ave to connect the Arts District with the future Arena district.

Jasper and one o nin · #5 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:23 PM**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tip5KKeAqtk

ue · #6 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:28 PM**

Even though it's just a concept, these renderings don't look very pedestrian friendly to me.

Hallsy's Toupee · #7 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:33 PM**

Personally, I would have liked to have seen this at the Terrace Building site, but I can live with this. But what happens to the current RAM?

Looks pedestrian-friendly enough to me:

Kevin_foster · #8 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:46 PM**

Can you kindly re size that massive image :>

ue · #9 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:52 PM**

The entrance and sidewalk are disconnected from the main intersections. It doesn't look like you could cross the street at 103A Ave and 99 Street after hanging out at Churchill, catching a show at the Citadel, or taking in art at the A.G.A. with those little grass islands surrounded by cars dropping people off on the other side. You'd have to walk east to 97th and then back west to the entrance, it seems.

Harrison · #10 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:54 PM**

With the RAM moving into a brand new building, that leaves the old building an empty shell. Are there plans to redevelop/renovate it into something else yet, or are plans still be put together?

Hallsy's Toupee · #11 Posted **Apr 7, 2011, 11:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harrison

With the RAM moving into a brand new building, that leaves the old building an empty shell. Are there plans to redevelop/renovate it into something else yet, or are plans still be put together?

News article didn't say anything except for the possibility of a new Lt. Gov. residence. But Government House used to be the Lt. Gov residence, so I think it would make sense to revert it back, then turn old RAM into Government House.

s211 · #12 Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 4:11 AM**

What a D- minus location. Practically the ass-end of downtown Edmonton.

hilman · #13 Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 5:06 AM**

I think its a great location, continues the whole Arts District with the Citadel, Winspear and AGA all along the same street. Add this and the arena to the immediate area and downtown should be bursting at the seams.

Black Star · #14 Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 6:33 AM**

Awesome location. We get rid of the post office circa 1899! Then possibly a beautiful building which will be a catalyst for a renewal of China town and dare I say ...The Quarters. This is a good day. And the Flames are out to TeeHee...oops wrong thread.

MrOilers · #15 Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 2:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

What a D- minus location.

That's only because there's no museum there yet.

s211 · #16 Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 3:06 PM**

Please... this location's one of the least desirable downtown locations. This should be going where the Terrace building is, where you'll at least want to look at the view outside of the expansive windows. Otherwise, it might as well be in downtown Winnipeg; that part of downtown Edmonton is oddly similar.

Black Star · #17 Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

Please... this location's one of the least desirable downtown locations. This should be going where the Terrace building is, where you'll at least want to look at the view outside of the expansive windows. Otherwise, it might as well be in downtown Winnipeg; that part of downtown Edmonton is oddly similar.

Please stop...stop now. Drive a couple captain and cokes into ya and really visualize the location and its possibilities. Remember...what is, will not always be.

MrOilers · #18 Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 3:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

Please... this location's one of the least desirable downtown locations.

Only because the huge new museum hasn't been built there yet.

SHOFEAR · #19 Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 3:49 PM**

I loved the idea of the RAM at the Leg, but this location is even better.

Jasper and one o nin · #20 Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 6:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

Please... this location's one of the least desirable downtown locations. This should be going where the Terrace building is, where you'll at least want to look at the view outside of the expansive windows. Otherwise, it might as well be in downtown Winnipeg; that part of downtown Edmonton is oddly similar.

Yeah, I dont think so. What would your suggestion be to make this area better? Leave it the way it is?
This site fantastic for many reasons:
1. It provides a teminus to 99 Street. Many of the great City's in world, that were actually designed by architects, design the city's corridors to take advantage of signicant and important buildings. There have been many oportunities in Edmonton but the shortsightedness of the designer/architect never picked up on it. The CN tower is as prominent as it is because it is located at the terminus of 100 street, the leg is the terminus of 108th street. The museum is at the terminus of 99 street which is the main "arts" corridor in the City;
2 Context - It makes sense to have it close to other cultural institutions. I dont know what else to say about that???
3. Transition between downtown and chinatown
4. Access to LRT and Transit;
5. Connectivity - there could be a unique pedestrian corridor along 99 street connecting all of the cultural institutions;
6. This area needs it? Again, it is not a great area now. what would you suggest to make it better?
7. Space? Clearly we need a facility that can accommodate; what other site in such a context could do that?
8. Downtown in general is where facility like this should be. No question.