Cantos at the King Eddy
Allied Works Architecture and BKDI selected to design Cantos’ National Music Centre in Calgary’s East Village
Cantos Music Foundation made the announcement today that Allied Works Architecture and local partner BKDI have been selected to design Cantos’ new national music centre at the King Eddy site in Calgary’s East Village. After an extensive worldwide search and impressive public presentations from five international architects, this highly anticipated announcement is a milestone event in the creation of Canada’s only National Music Centre.
News release
NEWS!! Designs on Calgary Event Captures Calgary’s Imagination.
The Vision: Canada’s Only National Music Centre
Canada’s music story deserves to be told. Cantos’ recent acquisition of The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, is a bold step towards realizing our vision of creating a facility that celebrates Canada’s remarkable music legacy and serves the national music community by providing a world class centre of music innovation, creation and discovery.
The Cantos at the King Eddy project will be the catalyst for the revitalization of one of our city’s most historic communities. It’s visionary, it’s bold, it’s unique and this iconic project will help shape the architectural and cultural future of this dynamic city.
Cantos envisions a world-class music education, entertainment and experience destination by incorporating, expanding and honouring the existing historic King Edward Hotel.
Part education research centre, part museum, part recording studio, part live music venue, this newly refurbished and upgraded 80,000-square-foot facility will create a new space for innovative and creative programs for people of all ages.
The Location
East Village was the birthplace of the city 130 years ago. It is nestled at the scenic confluence of two rivers. It is steeped in visions of the past and dreams of the future while wrestling with the social issues of the present. It is home to the homeless. It is heartbreaking and dream-making at once.
Now, Calgary’s East Village is on the verge of becoming one of the most innovative communities in Canada. It will become a crossroads: a public place where music becomes the catalyst for fusing innovation, discovery and renewal, creating a district unrivalled anywhere in Canada. The revitalization of the King Edward Hotel as a new music centre is the beginning of a bigger long-term vision; the King Eddy is the soul of this district; the first major revitalization step of many that will catalyze a vision that is bold, big and destined to put another piece of Calgary and Canada on the international map.
Play Your Part
Can you imagine Canada’s national music centre right here in Calgary? Are you inspired by the concept of a renewed, vibrant East Village? Can you picture you and your family enjoying performances and programs at Cantos at the King Eddy? Then help us make it a reality by playing your part!
July 2009
Five Renowned Architects to Compete for National Music Centre Project at the King Eddy Site
After an extensive worldwide search, Cantos Music Foundation has narrowed the field to five exceptional architectural teams to compete for the opportunity to design a new national music centre featuring world-renowned music collections and public programs at the site of the King Edward Hotel.
Full Story (105 KB PDF)
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