Calgary Tower

Calgary Tower is a low-rise commercial development completed in 1968. This project is located at 101 9 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta.

The Calgary Tower is a 191-meter free-standing observation tower located in the downtown core of Calgary, Alberta. Originally known as the Husky Tower, it was conceived as a joint venture between Marathon Realty Company Limited and Husky Oil as part of an urban renewal plan and to celebrate Canada's centennial of 1967. Construction of the tower began on February 19, 1967, and it was completed in June 1968, with the total cost amounting to $3.5 million.

The tower was officially renamed the Calgary Tower on November 1, 1971, in tribute to the citizens of Calgary. It quickly became one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The Calgary Tower is renowned for its revolving restaurant, Sky 360, which completes a full rotation every 45 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes in the evening, providing diners with breathtaking views of the city and surrounding areas.

One of the significant additions to the Calgary Tower was a natural gas-fired cauldron constructed at the top in October 1987 by Canadian Western Natural Gas to celebrate the 1988 Winter Olympics. This torch, which consumes 850 cubic meters of gas per hour, was first lit on February 13, 1988, and it continues to be ignited for special events and holidays, including Canada Day.

The tower underwent substantial renovations between 1987 and 1990, including the addition of a souvenir shop and a grill at a cost of $2.4 million. In 1990, a glass rotunda was added to serve as the new lobby, enhancing the tower's entrance. Another notable feature is the glass floor extension on the north side of the observation deck, which opened on June 24, 2005. This 36-foot wide by 4.5-foot glass floor allows visitors to look straight down onto 9th Avenue South and Centre Street below.

In 2014, a state-of-the-art LED lighting system was added to the tower. This system includes 12 lights on the crown and 24 on the exterior floors, capable of creating over 16.5 million color combinations and lighting effects. The LED lights are used for various light shows, making the tower an even more prominent feature of Calgary's skyline, especially at night.

The Calgary Tower is also connected to Calgary's +15 Skyway network, providing pedestrian access to One Palliser Square, the Fairmont Palliser Hotel, and EnCana Place. This connectivity makes the tower easily accessible and integrates it into the city's downtown infrastructure. The tower is not just a tourist attraction but also houses the Vertigo Theatre at its base, which has been providing a full season of plays in the mystery genre for both adult and youth audiences since 2003.

As a founding member of the World Federation of Great Towers, the Calgary Tower continues to be a symbol of the city’s heritage and progress. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, the tower remains a testament to Calgary’s growth and a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.

Feedback