Joel Schlesinger © Postmedia Network Inc.
TELUS Sky is more than just a pretty place on Calgary’s downtown skyline.
It’s a beacon of what’s possible today and, more importantly, what’s possible in the future.
“This 60-storey office tower is truly one of the most transformative buildings, not just in Calgary, or in Canada, but across the world,” says Navin Arora, president of TELUS Business, about its new Calgary office tower, which held its grand opening in early July and is now home to 1,600 local employees.
“It really embodies our brand promise — let’s make the future friendly — and captures the limitless possibilities of all that we can achieve.”
At the heart of TELUS Sky is Smart Spaces Technology.
TELUS Sky is the first implementation of this innovative technology that provides real-time data for greater efficiency.
Among its capabilities is identifying how many team members are working in a certain area to adjust heating, lighting and cooling to maximize energy conservation.
“This is one way we are using technology to support our sustainability goal to be net carbon neutral by 2030 or sooner,” Arora adds.
Although complete with the latest energy-efficient and smart technologies, TELUS Sky is also an architectural work of art.
Notable features include an 11-storey atrium and artwork by some of the country’s most celebrated Canadian and BIPOC artists.
Of course, Northern Lights, the 160,000-square-foot art installation on its exterior, is hard to miss.
Comprised of thousands of LED lights and designed by renowned author and artist Douglas Copeland, it is the largest public art installation in Calgary.
“It’s a defining moment on the city skyline,” Arora says. “Taken together, with more than 100 newly acquired art pieces throughout the building, it’s all part of our ongoing commitment to the city, community, arts and culture.”
Indeed, TELUS Sky represents a significant investment on many fronts by one of Canada’s leading providers of new technologies that connect Canadians while making a meaningful difference.
What’s more, the tower is the embodiment of TELUS’ commitment to Calgary and Alberta, demonstrating the art of the possible.
“TELUS Sky has set a new standard as one of the most technologically innovative and environmentally friendly office buildings in North America,” he says, noting that with the completion of TELUS Sky, TELUS now occupies the largest LEED Platinum footprint in North America.
Yet the tower is just a fraction of TELUS’ multi-billion-dollar investment in Alberta. These include a five-year partnership to create a 5G ‘Living Lab,’ and developing the next generation of communications, technology, IoT and other solutions.
As well, it provided $1 million to Olds College’s Smart Farm to further innovation in agriculture. TELUS is just getting started, aiming to invest $17 billion in Alberta. That’s building on $55 billion in investment since 2000.
“Our investment will help to create 8,500 jobs for Albertans over the next four years, both at TELUS and with our partners,” Arora adds.
While representing significant investment in technology, TELUS never loses sight of its strength: its people.
“Just like Albertans, our TELUS Team members are known for energy, grit and entrepreneurial spirit,” he says. “We believe anything is possible, and I know our team is eager to do big things to make a meaningful difference in the world.”
And TELUS Sky is a new home to that brighter future ahead.
This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of Calgary Economic Development.