Building upon an unwavering commitment to creative
expression, Vans is pleased to announce the opening of House of Vans London; a
unique and participative space for all. As a city synonymous with creativity,
diversity and opportunity, the project is proud to call London home. Open to
all, and always free, this is your house.
Opening on
August 9, 2014 and living within one of London’s most iconic spaces,
House of Vans London champions creativity and community. Following in the
footsteps of House of Vans Brooklyn, yet forging a path of its own, the 3,000sqm
venue provides a space like no other; a place for creativity. The music venue,
gallery, artist labs, café, cinema, bars and skatepark lay beneath London’s
Waterloo Station, occupying the infamous Old Vic
Tunnels.
The permanent
venue will not only exhibit art, but also nurture artistic talent from across
the globe. Four studios in Tunnel #2 will be made available to both emerging and
established artists, free of charge, with the opportunity to exhibit in the
space at the end of their tenancy. Artists in residence will also hold workshops
for the local community from the local community and beyond. An 850 person
capacity gig space in Tunnel #3 upholds a rich heritage in music, and through
free ticketing, live streamed events and crowd-sourced event curation, it
provides truly open music platform.
Two tunnels
are dedicated to London’s only permanent indoor skatepark. Tunnel #5 brings
together a street course and miniramp section, allowing for creative lines
whilst catering for all abilities. The deep concrete bowl in Tunnel #4 raises
the game for pool-style skateboarding, and is sure to become a proving ground
for bowl riders. Elsewhere a café, bars and cinema space provide an opportunity
to refuel and relax.
“The House
of Vans London is the physical manifestation of the cultures and creativity at
the heart of the Vans brand. London is the perfect city to expand this original
concept first established in Brooklyn and it’s an honour to take over this
iconic venue from the Old Vic. We’re looking forward to building on this legacy,
working closely with the local communities and key stakeholders involved in the
project.” said Jeremy de Maillard, VP of
Marketing.
House of Vans
London will be open five days a week to everyone in this great city, locals and
visitors alike. The space will also host a variety of events and workshops,
engaging and bringing opportunity to creative minds in London. As part of House
of Vans commitment to community, the project is proud to be affiliated with
three charity partners: Old Vic New Voices, Railway Children and Action for
Children.
About
Vans: In 1966, the Van Doren Rubber Company opened up
for business in California. Within a few years, global skate culture had adopted
the Vans shoe as their footwear of choice, and today Vans still represents a
look that epitomises the Southern California lifestyle. With more than 45 years
of history and now offering a complete range of footwear, apparel and
accessories, Vans has risen to become a worldwide dominant force in the action
sports industry.
Learn more about Vans here on Apparel Search.
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