VANCOUVER – Telus has officially unveiled its new headquarters, dubbed Telus Garden, in downtown Vancouver.
The $750 million development includes a 24-storey office tower built to new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum standards, a 53-storey residential building set to open next year, numerous storefronts, and Telus’ flagship 2,300 square foot retail store.
According to the company’s news release, the one million-square foot development has transformed an underutilized prime block of downtown real estate between Georgia, Robson, Seymour and Richards Streets into a showcase of architecture, design, environmental stewardship, and advanced technology.
"When we first imagined this project five years ago, our vision was to create a new headquarters for our team that would dramatically reduce Telus' environmental footprint," said Telus' chief sustainability officer and SVP Andrea Goertz, in the release. "It was also important to us that the development contribute to Vancouver's social fabric by recreating this central block as a vibrant, fun place full of culture and energy. Telus Garden has achieved all of that and more."
Other features include:
– A district energy system that will reduce demand from conventional energy sources by 80% and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than one million kilograms a year. The system recovers energy from the neighbouring telecommunications building that would normally be lost and uses it to heat and cool air and water throughout the development;
– Vancouver's largest solar panel array on the office tower's rooftop, reducing reliance on conventional commercial electricity;
– Rainwater capture systems to irrigate gardens throughout the development;
– 10,000 square feet of outdoor meeting space and garden terraces on six levels planted with indigenous trees, thousands of plants species, and a community food garden that will be tended by Telus employees;
– Charging stations for electric vehicles and bike storage, with showers for employees; and
– A custom made Fazioli piano in the office building lobby for local musicians, beside an indoor koi fish pond.
