The City of Vancouver has approved a prominent Vancouver rental apartment building to be the first downtown high-rise to be entirely painted as public artwork, including its roof! The best part: the artist behind the masterpiece is none other than Douglas Coupland.
Reliance Properties‘ The Berkeley, a building under extensive upgrades that is already known for its bright presence at the corner of Denman and Davie in English Bay will, pending public notification and issuance of a permit, be decorated with Coupland’s artwork starting next month.
“This would be the first time that an entire building serves as my canvas,” says Coupland. “The Berkeley is located on one of Canada’s most significant corners with its stunning waterfront, palm trees, and street energy. It is where most travellers think to themselves, ‘Wow, I’m really in Vancouver.’ Being a significant place, The Berkeley demands something extra.”
The concept is a quintessential Coupland with a distinctive combination of colourful geometric patterns that are at once old-fashioned yet futuristic. Inspired by his world travels and seeing remarkable, ornate buildings with tile and colour—particularly in Spain’s coastal cities—Coupland wanted to create a “jewel box” in his home city with vibrant colours.
“Vancouver is a young city and there are many future opportunities to define what it becomes,” he says. “The overall effect of this public artwork will be as an anchor point of where the city meets the ocean, and it will make a person feel like they are at the heart of something. The building will redefine English Bay’s skyline and become a mandatory tourist stop for photos. I want people to daydream about living at The Berkeley.”
We can’t wait to have this public work of art colour our city’s stunning skyline! —Vita Daily
relianceproperties.ca
share:
Be the first to comment