CALGARY — Telus today officially opened its new state-of-the-art headquarters in downtown Calgary, called Telus Sky (above).
Standing 60 storeys tall, Telus Sky incorporates 750,000 square feet of office and retail space along with 326 rental homes within the building, “creating a unique and dynamic blend of working and urban living,” a Telus press release reads.
Designed by world-renowned architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Dialog, along with developer partners Westbank and Allied, Telus Sky “is one of the most technologically innovative and environmentally-friendly sites in North America,” according to the press release, which explains it was built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum standards, the highest LEED certification.
“With the completion of Telus Sky, Telus now occupies the largest LEED Platinum footprint in North America including Telus Garden in Vancouver, Telus Harbour Toronto, Telus House Ottawa, and Place Telus Québec,” the release says.
“Powered by purpose, Telus is a global leader in sustainability with the ambitious goal to use 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025,” the release adds.
“Our Telus team has an inspiring legacy of connecting Albertans to the people, resources and information that matter most to them, and today’s opening of Telus Sky builds upon this rich history of investment and innovation,” said Darren Entwistle, Telus president and CEO, in the release.
“Our $400 million development continues our legacy of making powerful contributions to advance the economic strength and social vitality of both the city of Calgary and the province of Alberta,” Entwistle added.
“Moreover, as the transformative centrepiece of a revitalized city block, Telus Sky sets a new standard of excellence in architectural beauty and environmental sustainability; exceeding the global standard for leadership in energy and environmental design. We are exceedingly proud that Telus Sky will continue to build a friendly future for everyone who lives, works, and serves in the great City of Calgary.”
Some of Telus Sky’s features include:
- Canada’s largest public art installation integrated into the building’s façade — “Northern Lights”, a light show display created by iconic Canadian author and artist Douglas Coupland
- A storm water management system that recycles rainwater for use in washroom toilets and urinals, reducing the building’s municipal water demand by 70 per cent.
- A thermal energy system designed to efficiently transport hot water through an underground network of insulated pipes across Calgary, reducing heating energy demand by 30 per cent.
- 100 per cent fresh air ventilation with operable windows and exterior terraces, even on office floors.
- Windows designed with robust envelope and triple-pane glazing to decrease solar transmission and promote greater shading within the building, contributing to a 35 per cent reduction in building energy use compared to similar size developments, according to the press release.
- A living green wall in the building’s 11-storey atrium to improve air quality and to provide occupants and visitors with a connection to natural elements.
- A direct connection to Telus’ PureFibre network, providing tenants, businesses, guests and office workers with access to Telus’ fastest Internet network available in western Canada.
- Fitness facilities including a wellness centre with a yoga and barre room, on-site secure bicycle storage and electric vehicle charging stations.
In support of the local economy, over the course of the building’s development during the last nine years, Telus Sky created “more than 1,000 jobs, and as of today, the building will be home to more than 1,600 local Telus team members,” according to the press release.
There was a grand opening event for the building this morning, which Alberta’s premier Jason Kenney attended. Kenney spoke about the dedication the company has shown to Alberta “and called on other comparable companies to start making a difference too,” according to an email Cartt.ca received from a Telus spokesperson. He also joked to Entwistle “to consider making Alberta and, more specifically, TELUS Sky, it’s homebase, inciting a hearty laugh from attendees.”
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Photo supplied by Telus.
