The Dance Centre in downtown Vancouver secures its future by buying its home | Daily Hive

The Dance Centre in downtown Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan)

A major milestone for British Columbia’s arts community was announced Tuesday, as The Dance Centre confirmed it has purchased the land beneath its downtown Vancouver facility for $6 million, securing its long-term future as a cultural hub in the city centre.

The acquisition of their home for the past 25 years at 677 Davie St. — situated at the northeast corner of the intersection of Granville Street and Davie Street — from leaseholder Scotiabank ensures the continued operation of one of Canada’s flagship dance institutions.

The purchase comes at a time when arts and cultural spaces face mounting pressure from rising costs and redevelopment. This move safeguards critical infrastructure for B.C.’s dance community while reinforcing the importance of accessible creative spaces in urban centres.

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Funding for the acquisition was made possible through a combination of fundraising efforts by The Dance Centre and the The Dance Foundation, along with a contribution of $2 million from the Government of Canada, and additional support from the Government of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver.

“Today marks a defining moment for dance in British Columbia. Since opening our building 25 years ago we have seen over two million visits, supported thousands of artists, and welcomed audiences of all ages and backgrounds,” said Mirna Zagar, the executive director, of The Dance Centre, in a statement.

“Securing this land ensures that artists will always have a purpose-built home to create and innovate. It is an extraordinary day for our community, and we look forward to strengthening the dance sector and enriching the community’s cultural life for decades to come.”

The land purchase resolves uncertainty surrounding the building’s future as its lease is scheduled to expire in 2029.

“As our land lease approached its end, the future of this building was uncertain. Securing the site was critical. This is not simply a real estate transaction — it is an investment in cultural infrastructure, community vitality, and long-term sustainability in a city where access to creative space is increasingly fragile,” said Linda Blankstein, chair of The Dance Foundation.

“This purchase bolsters the revitalization of the Granville Entertainment District and affirms the essential role of arts and culture in building vibrant neighbourhoods. We are profoundly grateful to the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, and the many donors and partners who made this possible.”

With the land secured, the facility will now formally adopt the name “The Dance Centre” — a pivot from the longtime name of “Scotiabank Dance Centre” — reflecting its original vision when the organization was founded more than four decades ago.

Looking ahead, The Dance Foundation will focus on raising funds for building upgrades, with $1.5 million already secured toward future improvements.

The 32,000-sq.-ft., seven-storey facility reached completion and first opened in 2001, featuring six spacious dance studios — each with natural light and designed with sprung floors, mirrors, and air conditioning. There is also a black box theatre, and supporting facilities such as a dancer’s lounge, change rooms, kitchen, office space, and a physiotherapy clinic.

In the late 1990s, Scotiabank effectively donated the site to the non-profit organization in exchange for a nominal annual rent and naming rights of the building acknowledging the bank’s support.

Renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson designed the redevelopment of the 1929-built bank property into a modern large dance studio facility, while also protecting and incorporating the heritage facades into the contemporary building that rises vertically.

According to BC Assessment, as of July 2025, the property is assessed for $10.426 million, with $7.016 million coming from the 6,000-sq.-ft. plot of land and $3.41 million from the structure.

Each season, this facility sees over 87,000 visits and supports about 2,000 rehearsals, 800 classes and workshops, and 120 performances.

The Dance Centre provides a shared facility for numerous arts organization. In 2023, Ballet BC left the venue and relocated to its newly-established dedicated facility on Granville Island, occupying the former home of the Arts Umbrella.

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