Completion of building structure
We are excited to announce the completion of our beautiful Mass Timber structural building. Now the wood is installed, the pace of the construction will accelerate. The construction team will finalize the exterior and enclose the facility in a few weeks by installing the exterior glass windows.
Bistro lease opportunity
We are pleased to present the opportunity to lease a high-profile bistro space with patio at the main entrance to the new Alliance
Française Vancouver facility. The target is for the bistro to act as a three-concept restaurant: coffee shop + bistro + wine bar, adapting to the clientele at various hours of the day.
For detailed information: Lease
brochure
Contact us today to discuss more,
Financial support from Institut Français Paris
We are happy to announce and acknowledge the financial support of Institut Français Paris.
Their contribution will help make our virtual reality exhibition available for everyone in our media library.
Financial support from PacifiCan
On Thursday, March 4, 2023, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister
responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of over $3.9 million for four projects to support B.C.’s Francophone and Francophile communities.
L’Alliance Française de Vancouver will receive $750,000, this funding will go towards a new library, community spaces and
washrooms in our new community centre.
For more information: Community
organizations receive over $3.9 million to support Francophone and Francophile communities in British Columbia - Canada.ca
Support from the government of Canada.
We are happy to announce and acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.
Here below is a citation of Taleeb Noormohamed. Member of Parliament :
“It’s a real pleasure to announce this project on behalf of the Honourable Ginnete Petitpas Taylor. This investment will help in the
creation of a gathering space for British Columbia’s Francophone community, especially in Vancouver. This is a great example of how we can
promote our official languages and allow them to flourish in the future.” - Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament (Vancouver
Granville)
Our building is starting to take form, a few metal beams have been put into place and walls are starting to raise, at this pace, we are
expected to be inaugurating our new home by the Summer of 2023.
During the next phase of construction, the mass timber structure will be assembled. Stay tuned for more updates.
Read More…
Funding Molson Foundation
We would like to thank the Molson Foundation for its generous donation in support of our new building project.
The Molson Foundation supports the health and education sectors as well as institutions involved in the arts and culture in order to
preserve and enrich Canada's cultural and intellectual heritage.
To find more about the Molson Foundation : https://fondationmolson.org/en/
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Jury prize from the UNESCO's MAB
Alliance Française Vancouver has received the Jury Prize from the UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program and the Foundation des
Alliances Françaises in the category "Life of the Alliance and Eco-Responsibility" for our project of a new eco-responsible
building, scheduled to open in Spring 2023.
To find out more about UNESCO's MAB Program: Man and the Biosphere (MAB)
Programme (unesco.org)
New Building Update
Dear Alliance Française Vancouver members,
It has been a long time since I shared with you about the progress of the New Alliance. Delays have accumulated since our general assembly
in September 2021: torrential rains in the Fall, followed by the Siberian cold of Christmas, followed by a strike of workers in the concrete
industry that has fortunately just ended. All this against a backdrop of contagious variants and rising prices of materials and labor that
are driving up costs. Nevertheless, the project is progressing and is scheduled to be completed in late spring 2023. In the coming weeks the
building will come out of the ground and the installation of the large wooden beams is planned for the Fall.
We estimate that our fundraising efforts will allow us to reach ¾ of our initial goal ($4 millions in grants and donations) by the end of
the year. I would like to personally thank all of you who have already generously contributed. With rising costs, we anticipate that we will
have to continue our efforts and exceed our initial fundraising goal. In September, we will launch our Sponsor a Seat campaign to the
Francophone and Francophile communities. This will be a unique opportunity to participate in an historic project that will enrich
Vancouver's cultural and community life. More information will be available very soon.
I invite you to come and witness the construction as it progresses and wish you a beautiful summer. Looking forward to seeing you for
the next General Assembly planned for September 1st.
Marie-Claire Howard,
Board Chair, Alliance Française Vancouver
Canadian Heritage Grant
Alliance Française is proud to announce we received funds from Heritage Canada through the program: Supporting the Foundations of Cultural Infrastructure Initiative. This funding will help support the increasing costs of the construction industry.
BC Arts Council
Alliance Française Vancouver is thrilled to announce the support of BC Arts Council and the government of British Columbia for the
construction of our new cultural spaces.
This funding is linked to the Arts Infrastructure Program 2021- 22. We are very excited that the building is taking shape, we can’t wait to
welcome you all next Spring 2023 for our Grand Opening.
Learn more
Funding by the Mass Timber Program
The Alliance Francaise Vancouver wants to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our Province of BC via their Mass Timber
Demonstration Program for helping us fund our institutional project, that will be an advancement in wood use for the City of Vancouver.
Our new building will include a first of a kind, four story assembly occupancy building showcasing the mass timber structure and promoting
the use of wood by exposing it in the interior to create a warm, natural, and inviting interior. The resulting spaces will be more
efficient, comfortable, and healthier for our community. Mass timber allows to reduce carbon footprint from construction and adds value to the forestry sector. It is a central part of the StrongerBC Economic Plan that aligns with the Province’s climate goals by supporting clean growth and using renewable resources.
For more information: Mass Timber Action Plan launched, four new projects
announced | BC Gov News
Stage 3 - Full building permit issued
We are pleased to announce the approval of the final building permit (stage 3) for Cambie 6161, a significant step in our construction
process that will bring our physical space to fruition. We are finalizing the foundation, and we expect completion by mid-May. We have obtained a complete building permit from the City of Vancouver; we will start constructing the main building right after the foundation
phase. As we mentioned previously, this is a crucial step because it will help the smooth process of the following stages of the work, and we will be able to see the physical changes and the completion of the building.
Please visit our new building page to see the construction gallery, updated monthly, if you
wish to follow the progress.
BC GAMING GRANT
We at the Alliance Française acknowledge the financial support of the province of British Columbia.
We are very happy for their aid in acquiring equipment for our new up-and-coming performance space. Get ready to enjoy quality cinemas, lectures, performances, and more!
Curious as to what we will get? Check our website for monthly updates.
2022 is promising to be a great year
Dear Members of Alliance Française Vancouver,
2022 is promising to be a great year for Alliance Française Vancouver, as we will be able to witness the erection of our new expanded
facility at 6161 Cambie.
2021 was a year of transition during which we have:
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Stage 2 - Building Permit Issued
The city of Vancouver just issued the Stage 2 Building Permit – Foundation to grade for AFV building. After weeks of digging the excavation is now completed. The recent harsh weather didn’t help but we were just on time with the city permit delivery that took much more time than expected. One more permit to get, the full BP, and our project should still see the light early 2023 as planed.
Stage 1 - Excavation Permit Issued
Last week, the City of Vancouver issued the Stage 1 Building Permit – Excavation for AFV building. Our project is progressing by stages. Our builder Haebler has begun to dig. We are now waiting for Stage 2 Foundation to Grade Permit, hopefully next week. We are expecting the final Building Permit next month. Our builder is confident that we will open our brand new facility early 2023.
SPONSORSHIP RBC
We are thrilled to announce the support from the Royal Bank of Canada for our exciting cultural programs including V-Unframed our latest cross reality hybrid event.
Spotlight on "Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP"
«We are thrilled to work with Alliance Française Vancouver on the construction of their new building. The lawyers at Blakes have a long
tradition of offering pro bono legal services to causes they believe in, and we stand behind Alliance Française Vancouver’s new building
that will foster connections and welcome members of our community. This is a great opportunity for us to give back and help the Alliance
Française navigate the development process with top-of-the-line legal advice in commercial real estate.”
Learn more about Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Its official - We have completed the demolition of our building at 6161 Cambie and are super excited to be entering the construction phase of our new building!
Stay tune for a video coming soon showing the demolition of the building!
Read More…
Spotlight on "The Haebler Group"
"We at Haebler are very excited to begin construction on the new home for the Alliance Française Vancouver. We have been
working with the board and consultants since November 2018 to bring the vision to reality. Being involved early on a project is our
specialty; it allows us to use our construction knowledge to provide advice on constructability and financial impacts. One of the
various reasons we wanted to work with Alliance Française Vancouver on this project is the Mass Timber portion of the project. Mass
Timber has been gaining a lot of attention over the last few years, can potentially speed up construction, and is aesthetically pleasing
lending the project a West Coast feel to it."
Read
more about The Haebler Group
Development Permit for Alliance Française Vancouver Building
City of Vancouver issued last week the Development Permit for Alliance Française Vancouver building. This is an important step to move
forward with our project that is progressing by stages. It will allow us to get the Stage 1 Excavation and Foundation to Grade Permit in the
next few days before getting the full Building Permit early fall. Summer time is challenging but everything is on track to respect our
schedule and open our brand new facility early 2023.
Spotlight on McFarland Marceau Architects
"Our design for the new Alliance Francaise building seeks to create a vibrant cultural centre, where students of the French language
are immersed in a complete cultural experience. Entangling visual arts, theatre, dance, music, film and café life with classrooms, meeting rooms and event space, the design faces Cambie street like the proscenium of a stage ‐ whose openness, transparency and warm wood materials
invite people in to engage with Francophonie culture.”
Read more about McFarland Marceau Architects
Full Demolition Permit Obtained
Demolition permit was issued last week and we are ready to move to the next steps of the building project. Interior demolition is completed
and the building will be tear down in the next few days.
It is an emotional time for AFV, this building has served extensively our purpose for over 50 years. This place is full of memories.
The demolition is expected to take a month before starting excavation and shoring. After summer, foundations will be ready to welcome the
construction of our new home.
A NEW CULTURAL HUB
Did you know that the new building will have 4 dedicated spaces for arts and culture?
The new building will include - a 165-seat performing space, a street-facing and non-commercial art gallery, a professional demonstration
kitchen and up to 5 artist studios on the top floor.
Built to the best and modern standards of universal accessibility and sustainability, these spaces will add a permanent cultural
infrastructure to the City which is increasingly losing cultural spaces. Importantly, it will allow Alliance Française Vancouver to
offer you an expanded, unique and diverse programming and welcome a larger number of professional and amateur artists – local, national and
international.
Whether you love music, dance, opera, theatre, gastronomy, literature, poetry, traditional arts or digital arts… you will find it at Alliance Française Vancouver.
FIRST BUILDING PERMIT OBTAINED
Alliance Francaise Vancouver finally received its first building permit for the removal of salvageable building materials this last May.
This is a key step before the demolition permit is granted. The site at 6161 Cambie St has now been officially handed over to the
Construction Manager. With each passing week, we are moving closer and closer to the construction of the new Alliance Francaise building -
your centre for language, culture and community.
Some of you visited the building on May 15th and said a last goodbye before it gets demolished to be rebuilt in 2023. Thank you
for your messages of encouragement and gratitude. We invite all of you to take a look at some of the photos
highlighting a few of those moments.
DEO financing, administrated by SDE
Funded by Western Economic Diversification (WD), administered by la Société de Développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique
(SDE)
AFV is pleased to be the beneficiary of the Fonds de développement économique francophone de l’Ouest canadien (FDEFO). This grant will
support the construction of cultural and community spaces in the new building.
This expansion of cultural and community spaces (performance space, art gallery, kitchen, media library, among others) will allow greater
creation, production and dissemination of cultural activities and programs for a greater audience. Francophones and francophiles will
benefit from new spaces to meet, discuss and have fun. They will be able to immerse themselves in both the French language and the arts and
culture in a friendly atmosphere.
RENEWED SUPPORT FROM THE CITY OF VANCOUVER
We are grateful for the continuous support of the City of Vancouver Cultural Services towards the proposed work-only artist studios on the
top floor of the new AFV building. Thanks to the City’s commitment, these spaces will provide a much needed infrastructure for emerging and
professional artists working in the new media and digital arts sector.
For the last few years, AFV has been successfully working with partners and artists in the digital arts sector for its cultural
programming. Its longstanding partnerships with several recognized international and local institutions has enabled AFV to offer new and
innovative experiences such as RectoVRso@Vancouver for the public to enjoy.
We envision these artist studios as inviting spaces to promote incubation of ideas, innovation and greater collaboration. We cannot wait to
welcome our first artists.
WE ARE BUILDING TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN
It is partly through the generosity of the community –through donations and grants - that AFV first built its facility in 1968 and continued to make capital improvements over the years. As a registered not-for-profit organisation, these donations provide additional support to the revenues generated from our activities.
Since 2010, successive boards, and countless staff and volunteers have given their time and talent to position AFV for the 21st century
and ensure its ongoing success for the next 50 years. They shared in a common vision to create a new building that will take AFV to the
next level of excellence and establish itself as a major educational, cultural and community centre in Vancouver. This new building project
is the result of this perseverance despite many challenges encountered along the way.
The new building designed around green building practices and universal accessibility will have a performing space, an art gallery, artist
studios, modern and high-tech classrooms and a modern media library (housing the largest collection of French language items in B.C). Stay tuned for more details.
WE BUILT TOGETHER ONCE BEFORE
Alliance Française Vancouver has always been fortunate to count on its close-knit community.
In the 1960’s, its community worked hard to secure a permanent place for the organisation. With admirable devotion and unwavering will,
they rallied support from their families, friends and government to raise the necessary funds to build AFV, what was at that time, a state-of-the art facility at 6161 Cambie St. After 64 years of meeting in temporary premises, Alliance Francaise Vancouver had dedicated classrooms for its language courses and a wonderful auditorium for its community and cultural activities.
Having its own building and property propelled the organisation to greater heights. AFV soon became on of the most dynamic associations in Vancouver. It modernized its operations and expanded its programs and partnerships to the point that by 1986, the building had become too small to serve the increasing number of students. The board decided to add a second floor.
Once again, thanks to the support received from a provincial grant, a loan and its amazing community members, a second floor was opened in 1989. Members at that time loved the new functional, comfortable and inviting spaces.
In 2003, the need to renovate the building arose to address concerns such as waterproofing the first floor, creating a direct access to the
parking lot and weather proofing the windows. Once again, the generous spirit and fortitude of AFV community shined through. Many of them made a donation to support the renovation. What a joy it was prior to the pandemic, to still see so many of these benefactors at our events and programs regularly.
Unfortunately, this building is now past its useful life and can no longer support AFV’s activities and provide a quality environment for our members, students and users.
While we are sad to say goodbye to our current home, we know that we can count on our community again and look forward to welcoming all of
you again in our new building in 2023 on this same historic site of 6161 Cambie Street.