The District of West Vancouver has purchased the building formerly home to the Boathouse restaurant in Horseshoe Bay, located on the waterfront at Sewell’s Landing.
In a press release, the District of West Vancouver says its goal is to convert the space into a new home for the West Vancouver Art Museum. The renovated facility will have approximately 8,800 square feet of exhibition and programming space, more than double the museum’s current space at Gertrude Lawson House.
The top floor will house the main exhibition space, and the lower floor will offer flexible indoor and outdoor program/gathering spaces, a catering kitchen, a gift shop, and administrative offices. It is expected to open in 2026.
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The renovations will allow the Art Museum to maintain its current programming standards while providing additional opportunities for arts programming and activities. The move will more than double the Art Museum’s current exhibition and programming space, from approximately 3,800 square feet at Gertrude Lawson House to approximately 8,800 square feet. The district is exploring funding options for the renovations, including sponsorship and naming rights.
In the coming months, staff will develop plans to privately fund the renovations for the building’s interior to meet Museum standards and determine future uses and programming for Gertrude Lawson House. “This project does not address the community’s long-term need for a privately funded purpose-built arts and culture facility as identified in the Arts & Culture Facilities Plan in 2019. The District remains committed to supporting efforts to address this future need.”
Terrible idea…..how is anyone supposed to actually visit the museum when there is no parking available in Horseshoe Bay….incredible
Take a bus and walk Judith, its gonna be good for your old soul
Typical ignorant, selfish, comment.
Do you mean the purchase? Of course it is! A ditzy, self-indulgent idea put together by a clique of bored West Van housewives and their complacent hubbies. Shame on the West Vancouver Council for this albatross.
And about the pay parking in parks!
Moral corruption!
What a mindless comment.
There’s six parking lots and street parking in Horseshoe Bay.
I agree with you. They probably already have a director in mind… some former council member’s wife. It’s an unnecessary purchase made to support a small clique of friends. Ridiculous small corruption.
Ha your local gov at work! I totally agree! A central location would be easy to reach by foot or bus!
Such a shame. This used to be a wonderful dining location.
Took all visitors there for a fabulous experience. Spent many celebrations at this restaurant.
Just another disappointing example of yet another lost gem and pleasure of the North Shore.
Ridiculous use of a lovely space that really brought visitors and residents out to horseshoe Bay.
Im sure council didn’t make their intentions known when planning for the horseshoe bay improvements were made .
We need a vibrant fun place to come and gather and celebrate and something to support the surrounding.business and residents……not this boring plan !
Agreed!
Restaurant was a better idea!
What a terrible idea! A museum by the most scenic spot where people should be looking OUTSIDE… really?? Whose idea was this?
More of the same- search and destroy all forms of character and neighbourhood by our local government-
Theatres, lawn bowling and bowling alleys, plant nurseries, pubs and classic restaurants, car washes and single house neighbourhoods.All gone, so developers and politicians can squeeze all the cash out of us to line their bottomless pockets.
AGREED. It’s a planned destruction by real estate agents, developers and our mayors and councils. Shameful and a disgrace!!
What a waste of a beautiful waterfront setting.
Who makes these bad decisions…. are they people who have no reverence of the history and background of actually living on the North Shore. So disappointing.
Why is it art galleries always need to have a fantastic view like the polygon building. What a shame. A nice local organic grocery store and a restaurant would have been much better. Put the art gallery up on Cypress with all the new construction.
Absolutely ridiculous use of this space. We need a restaurant in the area that is nicer than trolls or JJs kitchen (no offense to either). But yes let’s take the building with the nicest views of the bay, ferries and mountains and put a museum and personal offices in it. What a waste of that location and a loss to the community.
We already have a museum and it’s dead. This place however is an icon that many go to. Why on earth would anyone think this is a good idea. Put an art museum in a place with no view at the very least. I agree with these other comments.
Such a special restaurant location. I’ve been driving by anticipating the re-opening of a family favorite where many memories were created.
Very few museums cover 5% of their budget via admission fees, so instead of a tax revenue this is being turned over to donations and tax payers.
Sad to be witnessing the end.