Emily Carr University Proposes Major Arts Hub on Granville Island

Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECUAD) is taking significant steps to return to Granville Island, proposing a transformative project to repurpose the historic building located at 1399 Johnston St.. Nearly a decade after relocating to a new campus, ECUAD announced that its proposal has been shortlisted in the competitive process initiated by CMHC Granville Island, the organization responsible for managing the site.

The university aims to revitalize the 125,000 sq. ft. structure, which served as its north building until 2017, into a vibrant creative and cultural hub. This initiative comes in partnership with The Narrow Group, a Vancouver-based company renowned for its network of artist spaces and venues. Since ECUAD’s move to its current campus on Great Northern Way, the site has been underutilized, with CMHC Granville Island seeking an operator to transform it into an “Arts and Innovation Hub.”

The proposal outlines plans for extensive renovations to enable an expansion of university operations, introducing new arts and innovation programs, workshops, and community education. Additionally, the project intends to create affordable studio spaces for both emerging and experienced artists, alongside retail opportunities such as galleries, a café, a restaurant, and an arts supplies store. The initiative would also include event spaces for performances, exhibitions, and community gatherings, along with dedicated areas for Indigenous cultural programming and workshops, featuring a theatre venue.

In describing their vision, the proponents emphasize a reimagined building that remains “vibrant from morning to night.” ECUAD’s educational programs, combined with The Narrow Group’s creative tenants, aim to bring increased activity to Granville Island throughout the day. In the evenings, the facility would serve as a venue for cultural events, private rentals, and community gatherings, contributing to the local events industry.

“By having Canada’s premier arts and design institution expand its public programs and arts innovation strategy to Granville Island, we’re opening the door for new opportunities, partnerships, and community engagement,” stated Trish Kelly, president of ECUAD. She highlighted the importance of ensuring arts education remains accessible to everyone.

David Duprey, CEO of The Narrow Group, added, “Our vision is to create a space that honours the history of Granville Island while ensuring it thrives with new energy.” He expressed hopes of fostering an interactive experience throughout the building, where visitors are drawn to a continuous flow of art, music, and culture.

If selected, this project would represent The Narrow Group’s largest undertaking to date. The company currently manages over 170,000 sq. ft. of artist space across Vancouver, supporting more than 400 artists and solidifying its position as one of British Columbia’s largest operators of artist spaces.

ECUAD previously occupied Granville Island from 1980 to 2017 before relocating to a modern campus that spans 286,000 sq. ft. near the future Great Northern Way-Emily Carr SkyTrain Station. The upcoming proposal will be presented to CMHC Granville Island later this month.

In a recent interview, Thomas Lancaster, General Manager of CMHC Granville Island, noted that the procurement process launched in 2024 attracted seven strong expressions of interest, which have since been narrowed to a shortlist of two proposals. He emphasized the importance of finding a new tenant that enables public access to the building, contrasting with the previous private use by ECUAD.

CMHC Granville Island aims to finalize a lease by early 2026, which would pave the way for tenant-led upgrades to the aging facility. Lancaster acknowledged that since ECUAD’s departure, the organization has been working to fill the void left behind, not only in terms of space but also in the youthful energy the university once brought to the island.

The Granville Island 2040 master plan, created in 2017, envisions converting ECUAD’s former north building into an “Arts and Innovation Hub,” emphasizing spaces for artists and public amenities. The proposal from ECUAD and The Narrow Group aligns closely with this vision, fulfilling the long-term strategic goals outlined for the building’s future use.

In addition, the master plan prioritizes a significant mixed-use development in an underutilized area between the Granville Street Bridge and ECUAD’s former south building, which is now operated by Arts Umbrella. This development includes a new market building, an elevator and staircase tower connected to pedestrian and cycling pathways, an observation deck, and an underground parking facility.

As this proposal progresses, the potential return of ECUAD to Granville Island represents an opportunity to rekindle the connection between the university and the local arts community, fostering creativity and innovation for years to come.