House of Vans opens under London tube station
Popular skate brand Vans has launched London’s first indoor skate park under a tube station.
House of Vans in London is a pop-up, indoor space dedicated to skate, art and music, and is situated in the heart of the City, beneath Waterloo Station. The graffiti covered underground venue formerly known as the Old Vic Tunnels is previously known for where the likes of Bansky and Lazarides have curated street art projects.
Already well known for its long and true history with skate and street culture, Vans stepped up its game with this huge creative hub for all its present and future development in UK and Europe, its look featuring “period fixtures and waffle sole inspired flooring”.
In one tunnel, visitors can discover the art space and inaugural exhibition “Scissors and Glue”, which explores the DIY aesthetic and contemporary creative culture, featuring original pieces, poetic videos, photo and graphic work as well as illustration.
“Everybody loves art so we built an art gallery in Tunnel One,” describes Vans. “A brickwork cavern with ambient up lighting will be dedicated to hosting shows from a range of infamous and ‘off-the-beaten-track’ artists from London and beyond.
A second tunnel will house a 100-seat cinema screening room for hosting screenings, premieres and webcasts, and the VansLab artist studios a “creatively nurturing space” offering free partitioned workspaces for artists to create and refine their crafts before showcasing in the art gallery space.
But the third tunnel is where Vans says is “where the magic happens”. The impressive 850 capacity music venue nestled beneath Waterloo station promises to host world-renowned acts as well as providing a platform for upcoming talent.
The fourth and fifth tunnels will host a pool-style concrete bowl, street and skateboarding ramp section, which will also be open to the public as a free playground for skateboarders. Vans have also hinted that a second skate area will be subject to impromptu visits from skate legends.
The House of Vans’ hub will also display Instagram pics of those who tag their images with #houseofvans.
"The House of Vans is the physical manifestation of the cultures and creativity at the heart of the Vans brand," said Jeremy de Maillard, VP of Marketing. "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."
12 August 2014
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