A rendering of the proposed upgrades to the Khyber Building at 1588 Barrington Street, Halifax, with a connector to the Neptune Theatre. Courtesy David F. Garrett Architects.
The broad strokes of a new proposal for Halifax’s Khyber Building—long valued as an arts centre by community members, but currently vacated due to City Council’s health and financial concerns—were presented last night at a public meeting at Halifax North Memorial Library.
The meeting included SMU Art Gallery curator Robin Metcalfe, musician Joel Plaskett and artist Emily Davidson, among others engaged in finding a renewed path for the Khyber as an arts hub.
Davidson is enthusiastic about the proposal; she says “city staff have been supportive” in the planning process, and notes that the new proposal estimates the funding needed for the revitalization as totalling $3 million—$1 million less than the city’s original estimate.
Highlights of the new plan include the addition of a fourth floor on the three-storey heritage building, which will help increase usable space by 21 percent.
Also notable is the plan to make the circa-1888 building accessible and inclusive through the addition of an elevator and gender-neutral washrooms.
Financially, the plan projects a mix of gallery, exhibit, community, not-for-profit and retail space in the building. The Khyber Centre for the Arts, currently relocated to Hollis Street, is said to be willing to return as a key tenant.
Safety concerns are addressed through a link between the Khyber Building and Neptune Theatre, which will provide access to a fire stairwell.
And through it all, the plan maintains a focus on retaining external and internal heritage quality.
This proposal was developed by the recently formed 1588 Barrington Building Preservation Society, which includes arts and community organizations like Neptune Theatre, as well as architects, engineers and real-estate specialists. Some members of the Friends of the Khyber advocacy group also sit on the board for the society.
Full details of the new proposal will be revealed when it goes to Halifax City Council on January 26 or early February.
At that time, the 1588 Barrington Building Preservation Society hopes that council will grant the society a conditional hold on the building in order to proceed with fundraising efforts.
