Yesterday as was about to visit the Vancouver Arts Gallery when was surprised that all the metal fences surrounding Robson place for over 2 years had been removed and a small gathering was visible. After approaching and listening to a short speech introducing Ms Jane Hutton I could not resist to take as many shots from the enlarged Ice Rink ( opening in October) and the offices that will serve as Media centers for the 2010 Olympics here in downtown. For those you so not know here is a bit of immediate info.
The Vancouver architect who designed Robson Square is Mr. Arthur Erickson.Unfortunately he died this spring and there was a big article on him in XTRA West since was part of the gay community.
Here is a link to everything Arthur Erickson http://www.google.com/search?q=Arthur
Thanks to my good Canadian Designer friend Rowan I can inform you here directly that Mr Erickson also designed the following buildings:
the renovation of the old Lawcourts Building into the present Art Gallery, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, Roy Thomson Hall home of the Toronto Symphony, Simon Fraser University campus concept and some of its buildings, Lethbridge University, Alberta, the Macmillan Bloedel office tower at Georgia and Thurlow, the Man In The Community Pavilion at EXPO 67 in Montreal, the Canada Pavilion at EXPO 70 in Osaka, Japan, two apartment towers on Nelson Street, several luxury houses in the Vancouver area, several projects around the world, particularly in the Middle East.
Enjoy the stunning stainless steel and glass structure playing with the 5pm light. . Surprisingly I was the only one with a camera there. Today the 16th September these should be the 1st photos online of the renovated site.