City Centre Artist Lodge
We're excited to announce a new partnership with The Narrow Group (TNG) & Nicola Wealth Real Estate (NWRE) to transform Vancouver's City Centre Motel into temporary artist studios.
The iconic Mount Pleasant City Centre Motel at 2111 Main Street has found a new life as a temporary, below-market-cost studio space known as City Centre Artist Lodge!
Nicola Wealth Real Estate (NWRE) acquired the City Centre Motor Hotel this fall with the intention to redevelop the property in the next two-three years in-line with the pending Broadway Plan policy. Rather than leave it unoccupied for years, the property has been given a second life as much needed artist studio spaces, with the units being managed by The Narrow Group (TNG) in partnership with VMF.
The intent of this experimentation and novel type of collaboration is to facilitate a celebration of the local arts community, create more opportunities for artists to develop their practices, and provide much needed affordable options for art-space in Mount Pleasant, focusing support for equity-deserving and under-represented local artists and cultural producers.
“VMF is excited to help bring the creative potential of this project to life. Vancouver Mural Festival originated in Mount Pleasant, so it’s especially exciting for us to be a part of this new opportunity to support artists in the neighbourhood.”
- Andrea Curtis, Executive Director, VMF
When does this start?
We plan to have the studios available to start occupying as early as February 1, 2022.
The transformed motel provides 18,000 + square feet and over 60 individual units of new artist work-only spaces. As the site is slated for future redevelopment, the studio spaces are being offered on a month to month agreement. Rent will range from $500-$600.
“This is a unique collaboration. There are many ways it could have an impact. We are excited to co-create an opportunity to support artists who need access to affordable spaces. At the same time, we are also optimistic about what we can learn from this experimental 2-3 year program.
Could this process be applied to other sites across Vancouver to unlock thousands more square feet of below-market-cost spaces over the coming years? We see this program running in parallel to other initiatives underway to secure long-term affordable spaces that take longer to develop. Best case, this kind of partnership could set a precedent for how different sectors can collaborate so that we can live in a more equitable, affordable, and humane city.”
- Adrian Sinclair, Director of Engagement, VMF
Importantly, this program is centring support for equity-deserving groups who have faced multiple systemic barriers to accessing space to work in Vancouver. This includes BIPOC artists, members of the LGBTQ2IAS+ community, neuro-diverse folks, and artists with disabilities. By focusing on supporting these individuals, City Centre Artist Lodge aims to increase the options available for artists to access affordable spaces to practice their work during the ongoing affordability crisis in Vancouver.
Learn more on Daily Hive and CBC.
How are folks selected?
Members of equity-deserving and under-represented groups will be prioritized. Artists interested in participating in open houses and other events which engage the public in a format they are comfortable with will also be prioritized.
Applicants will be shortlisted by a committee composed of members at VMF and The Narrow Group, who represent equity-deserving communities.
UPDATE JANUARY 21, 2022 - APPLICATIONS CLOSED
The City Centre Artist Lodge is no longer accepting applications as of January 21, 2022. As of today, the units are filled. Those who applied are now on a waitlist for future vacancies at City Centre Artist Lodge.
Note
VMF does not receive income from the rental of the units. The Narrow Group is the operator and leasor of the units.