Exciting plans have been revealed by BPO provider TELUS recently; they propose a LEED Platinum, $400m, 750,000 m/sq multi-use tower just meters from the newly completed The Bow by Foster + Partners in Calgary. It is suggested by the news report from the Calgary Herald that residents are in fact in favor of the proposal regardless of its grand scale, having already begun to accept The Bow into their neighborhood landscape.
BO Kim posted, This magnificent jewel redefines the meaning of elegance and prestige on a global scale, while Tyler Engstroms transparent review read, Aside from my distaste for TELUS and the demolition of Art Central, I have to say this: Architecture is a big part of what can separate a city from the rest. Calgary is a world-class city, and its about time we started looking like one. This is a fantastic design, and I look forward to it being part of our skyline.
Completion is set for Autumn 2017, with 155,000 of 430,000 sq ft being set aside for TELUS for office space, making the company the largest current leaseholder of LEED Platinum space in North America. Other exciting proposals are a 5,500 sq ft public art gallery as well as 341 residential units for rent. This project is set to create a well planned harmony between, residential, offices, retail and civic space, drawing in external city goers while sustaining its internal inhabitants.
The design was envisioned by Bjarke Ingles Group (BIG) and DIALOG (the team behind the Beach and Howe Tower in Vancouver), with developer Westbank and real estate investment trust Allied Properties, and the scheme will take up an entire block on 7th Avenue.
President and CEO of TELUS, Darren Entwistle explains: Our new development is a powerful contribution fo Calgarys economic strength, culture and social vitality. Notably, TELUS Sky will inject millions of dollars into the community and crate hundereds of local jobs while showcasing TELUS advanced communications technologies and environmental innovation in a way never before seen in Calagary.
TELUS Sky will include many sustainable features and draw cards including a highly sophisticated storm-water management system for reuse of water for irrigation and bathroom purposes. The structure has been carefully and thoughtfully design to use 35% less energy to comparably sized developments, a feat non the less; however TELUS has suggested it may be looking to reduce this to 80% with further development.
And being no stranger to ambitious architectural projects TELUS will no doubt make this goal a reality. Already owning a number of LEED Platinum and Gold properties in Canada has given them the experience they need to undertake such a sizeable task. With properties such as TELUS Garden (under construction), TELUS House Toronto, TELUS House Ottawa, and Place TELUS Quebec becoming strong precedents for TULUS Sky. The firm has also vowed to invest $700m in new infrastructure and facilities in Alberta throughout 2013 as part of a wider $2bn program. Calgary is to be the recipient of $125m in new infrastructure and facilities from TELUS in 2013.
On the day of the official unveiling, Alberta Premier Alison Redford said: We know Calgarians want their downtown core to thrive -the recent floods showed us just how much the area matters to this city. That's why I'm so pleased that TELUS is making this important investment. Today's announcement is a reminder to all Calgarians that they live in a truly world-class city that is getting better by the day.
