Bob Rennie, probably the most successful Real Estate Marketer in town, has spent millions restoring the oldest building in Chinatown to convert it into a Contemporary Art Musuem. I think it’s a great way to give back to the community and a great gesture for heritage Architecture, for art lovers, and of course, for artists.
The article is below and can be found on CTVBC’s website along with the news video.
Bob Rennie has made millions selling condos in downtown Vancouver. But his latest real estate venture has nothing to do with money — it’s all about art.
Rennie has spent $20 million turning Chinatown’s Wing Sang heritage building — the oldest building in Chinatown — into a contemporary art museum.
“We’ve promised artists for years who have trusted us that eventually we’ll have a space,” Rennie said Saturday before an opening gala for collectors and curators.
“I’ve got the world here and my goal is to make sure I’m conscious every minute of it because I’ll never open a space like this again. I’m a happy guy.”
His first exhibition is the work of renowned Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum — part of a private contemporary art collection experts call one of the finest in the world.
“This is my golf game,” Rennie said. “Every morning when I go in, I can talk to artists and curators and museum heads and dealers in Europe or back east, and I can go about my day knowing I got to play my golf game. It’s my passion.”
The museum will be open to the public on Thursdays, though appointments will be required.
Admission is free.
“You don’t charge people to see art,” said Carey Fouks, the museum’s director of art services.
The Condo King isn’t making any money out of this?
“No,” Fouks said.