Cadillac Fairview Officially Opens Calgary City Centre

Calgary City Centre (CNW Group/Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited)

Cadillac Fairview officially opened the Calgary City Centre today. It is a 36-storey, 853,000-sq.-ft. office complex occupying a four acre city block at 2^nd Street SW and 3^rd Avenue SW.

The tower, which is 92 per cent leased and built to LEED Platinum, Core and Shell standards, is immediately adjacent to the Bow River parkway system and linked to the Plus 15 walkway via two bridge connections.

“When we acquired this city block in 1997, our vision was to extend the downtown core northward,” said John Sullivan, president and CEO of Cadillac Fairview. “Taking the long-term view, we saw the unrealized potential of this area and created a master plan for an unparalleled environment tailored to the needs of Calgary business leaders, their teams and their clients.”

The opening marks the culmination of 15 years of planning and design, as well as three years of construction to complete Phase I, a process that endured the 2013 flood and recent energy market turmoil.

“Although it’s a challenging time to open an office building in Calgary, the fact that we are 92 per cent leased speaks to the fact that we and our clients believe in the long-term prosperity of Calgary, and we are prepared to invest in quality properties for the long-term,” said Wayne Barwise, Cadillac Fairview’s executive vice-president, development.

Cadillac Fairview attributes the project’s success to effective marketing of both the master plan and the office tower, its design promoted as providing both a visual focal point and functional connectivity in Calgary’s downtown landscape while delivering a positive client and pedestrian experience.

Amenities and Art
Calgary City Centre highlights the amenities that enhance this experience and serve to future-proof the complex. These include a technologically advanced, digitally purposed conference centre that accommodates more than 270 people and a first-class fitness centre for all building occupants.

Calgary City Centre pays particular attention to its pedestrian spaces with permanent displays of public art creating a stimulating and rich presence to the lobby and mezzanine levels, while serving to support Canada’s artistic community.  Certain pieces have been commissioned specifically for the space, others acquired as existing artworks.  Contemporary Canadian artists including Christian Eckart, Susanna Heller, Eleanor Bond, Zachary Logan and Michael Morris are all prominently featured.

Early Industry Acknowledgement
Recognition of Calgary City Centre’s unique design has come early, recently winning the Calgary Downtown Association’s Downtown Vitality Award in Urban Design for its animated rooftop lighting feature. These awards are given annually to businesses and organizations for significant achievements in enhancing the vitality of the city’s downtown.

Phase II Approval
In May, Calgary City Council approved Phase II of the site’s master plan, featuring an additional 500,000 sq. ft. of office space and an executive-class hotel. The timing around commencement of Phase II will be dependent on a variety of market conditions.

SOURCE Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited