A couple of Vancouver entrepreneurs have an idea for what to do with all the retiring Mark I SkyTrain cars: Turn them into mobile artist studios that can be delivered across B.C.
"It's not going to make a lot of money but it's going to be pretty hilarious," says David Duprey of The Narrow Group.
The cars, which date as far back as Expo 86, were the first ones used for the SkyTrain, and they've been moving people around Metro Vancouver ever since.
But, with the new batch of Mark V cars on their way, the 150 Mark I's are coming to the end of their time on the tracks.
An opportunity
Late last year, when TransLink asked for proposals for what to do with the old SkyTrain cars, Duprey and Apartment Sage's Sage Brocklebank came up with an idea.
"He and I have been friends for a couple of years now, commiserating over how difficult our jobs are," says Duprey.
Brocklebank had thought about turning them into some sort of Airstream-style trailer, or housing, so he approached Duprey with the idea.
Duprey, who's operating the former City Centre Motel as an "artist lodge" and is behind cultural locations like the Rickshaw and Fox Cabaret, saw an opportunity for artists.
Creating mobile artist studios
"The whole thing was birthed from there," says Duprey. "Then we figured out all the logistics. His dad has property out in Langley, so we can move [the retired SkyTrain cars] there and then optimize them there and ship them out."
The idea is to turn the rail cars into studios and creative spaces that can be moved anywhere in the province, from downtown Vancouver to Prince Rupert to Quesnel.
”Expo 86 was a huge moment for British Columbia and turning these cars into pop-up artist spaces would keep the spirit of 86 alive across the province while inspiring generations to come,” says Brocklebank in a press release.
The pair have the right skill sets for the project, Duprey says, between his understanding of the arts community and market, and Brocklebank's expertise in remodelling and renovating.
He believes they'll be easy to modify, with new doors, additional lighting and heating components, among other fixes.
"We can flip these over really fast," Duprey attests.
He figures if a SkyTrain car was passed to the duo now, it would take three to six months to turn it into a studio and deliver it.
Duprey also sees these converted rail cars as fitting into a specific niche; given their temporary and mobile nature, the SkyTrain studios won't face the same regulatory and permitting issues as other permanent structures.
Supply and demand for arts space
At the same time Vancouver, and B.C., are facing a lack of affordable space for artists in which to create.
"Artist space is in maximum demand," he says.
The Narrow Group has created about 110,000 square feet of studio space used by 350 artists in Vancouver.
The plan would be to keep the space affordable for the artist, but it would still be a business and no government grants would be needed, says Duprey.
He notes he has good relations with developers, and the studios would be an opportunity to use empty lots and other unused space in cities. There are also different rates for arts spaces and goodwill that can be gained from doing a project like this.
"We're not going to make a million dollars, but this needs to make its own way," says Duprey.
Some personality for Vancouver
"It wouldn't be crazy what we would need to do to them," says Duprey. "I think it's just fun. For me, that's really what this is."
He says there's a lack of that sort of personality around Vancouver, particularly in contrast with other global cities.
"That's the kind of thing Copenhagen or Sao Paolo would do," he notes. "Vancouver doesn't do enough things like that."
He notes Dude Chilling Park's sign was a great moment, and the city needs more things like that.
"It's just a little bit of wackiness," he explains. "And I think Vancouver could do with a little bit more wackiness."
TransLink was accepting applications for the first round of proposals for retiring SkyTrain cars until Dec. 6, 2024 and has not revealed results or decisions. The transit agency says it will re-open application periods in the future as more trains retire from service.
