Shortlisted to Revitalize Granville Island: Narrow Group and Emily Carr University Propose Plan for 1399 Johnston

ECU and The Narrow Group have been shortlisted to help reimagine a historic Granville Island building as a new Arts and Innovation Hub.

The Narrow Group (NG) and Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) have been shortlisted to help lead the revitalization of Granville Island. Together, they are proposing to transform the historic 1399 Johnston Street building into a vibrant “Arts and Innovation Hub” — a space designed to spark creativity, support artists, and re-energize one of Vancouver’s most iconic cultural destinations.

The goal of the proposed hub is to serve both as a tribute to Granville Island’s creative legacy and a launchpad for its cultural future.

ECU is proposing an expansion of its educational and arts-based innovation programming at Granville Island. This would be historical because it would involve reconnecting ECU with its roots on Granville Island. From 1980 to 2017, the Island was ECU’s main campus before it relocated to its current location at Great Northern Way. As the university marks its 100th anniversary, the new project will form part of the milestone celebrations.

“This is a once-in-a-century opportunity to celebrate Emily Carr University’s past, present and future,” says Dr. Trish Kelly, President of ECU. “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, while ensuring arts education remains accessible to everyone.”

The Narrow Group, which will lead this project, has unmatched expertise in nurturing artistic talent. For two decades, NG has garnered a reputation for reimagining underused and neglected buildings by activating them as spaces for unconventional minds to work, play, and socialize. The group currently owns, operates or is partnered in over 170,000 square feet of artist space in Vancouver. They proudly have over 400 artists as tenants, which makes them one of the largest artist space operators in the province. The artists in these spaces represent every medium from fine art, photography and ceramics to dance and other live performances.

“Our vision is to create a space that honours the history of Granville Island while ensuring it thrives with new energy,” says David Duprey, CEO of The Narrow Group. “We want this hub to be a place where artists, educators, and entrepreneurs can collaborate, create, and engage the community and have fun doing it.”

Under the proposed plan, the existing structure will be preserved, avoiding costly rezoning and reducing environmental waste that comes with demolition. The renovated space will include:

• Emily Carr University’s expansion to deliver new arts and innovation programs, workshops, and community education.
• Affordable studio spaces for both emerging and experienced artists of all levels to create and showcase their work.
• Retail and small business opportunities, including galleries, a café, a restaurant and an art supplies store.
• Event space for performances, exhibitions, and community gatherings.
• Dedicated areas for Indigenous cultural programming and workshops.
  

“Granville Island was conceived as a Canadian center for culture and community,” adds former Vancouver City Councillor Michael Wiebe. “This proposal both respects that legacy and expands on it.”

The project is designed to keep the building vibrant from morning to night.

During the day, ECU will deliver community programs while NG artists and retail tenants will foster a creative small business ecosystem. This includes artists as entrepreneurs selling their work, an arts supply store supporting both ECU students and local creators, and a welcoming café and a restaurant for the community.

During the evening, the building will transform into a venue for community gatherings, cultural events, and private rentals — providing new opportunities for the local event planning industry to grow and thrive.

The Narrow Group wants visitors to experience a vibrant and interactive environment where mural-covered walls lead them down a maze of ever-changing corridors. Guests can poke their heads into one of the hundreds of open studios and have a chance to interact with the artists and buy their creations. They can then pop into galleries or stores. After that, there’s always a break on site for a coffee or a meal at any of the restaurants on Granville Island.

At night, the visitors’ journey continues with a show at the theatre, a gallery or a social event in an open studio. Artists working late will keep the building buzzing.

“The goal is to create an animated and interactive experience throughout the building where visitors are drawn to a never-ending labyrinth of art, music, dance, food and drink – and most of all: fun. We believe that this multi-use format will provide long-term economic support to Granville Island, to Vancouver, and to British Columbia,” says Duprey.

This month, representatives from The Narrow Group and Emily Carr University of Art + Design will present the next stage of their proposal to CHMC, which manages Granville Island.