The Calgary Tower, formerly known as the Husky Tower, is a 190.8-meter free-standing observation tower located in the Downtown Core of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is recognized as Calgary's signature landmark.
The Calgary Tower was originally conceived as a joint venture between Marathon Realty Company Limited and Husky Oil as part of an urban renewal plan to celebrate Canada’s centennial in 1967. The construction of the tower cost CA$3,500,000 and it weighs 10,884 tonnes, most of which is located underground. The tower opened to the public in June 1968, becoming the tallest structure in Calgary, surpassing even those in Toronto. It was renamed the Calgary Tower in 1971. Below the observation deck, there is a rotating restaurant called Sky360.
History[]
The Husky Tower project was initially envisioned as a collaborative effort between Marathon Realty, the real estate arm of Canadian Pacific Railway, and Husky Oil. The primary aim was to create new head offices in Calgary that would symbolize the nation's centennial year in 1967. In addition to commemorating this milestone, the developers sought to spur urban renewal and stimulate economic growth in downtown Calgary, which was experiencing a period of stagnation.
Designed by A. Dale and Associates, the structure was meticulously engineered to withstand both seismic activity and high winds, withstanding gusts of up to 160 km/h (100 mph). This consideration for safety and resilience was paramount, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to architectural design during a time of rapid urban growth.
The public unveiling of the urban renewal initiative occurred on December 10, 1965. This ambitious plan included not only the tower itself but also a transport terminal, a hotel, parking facilities, and an extensive office complex. The proposed 170-meter (550 ft) "restaurant-observation tower" was intended to become a focal point of the Calgary skyline. The chosen plot of land, where Canadian Pacific's Calgary passenger station once stood, was subsequently demolished a year post-announcement to facilitate construction.
In the early stages, the provincial government evaluated the tower proposal, contemplating designating it as a publicly funded centennial project. However, Public Works Minister Frederick C. Colborne ultimately advised against allocating public funds for the endeavor, leading Marathon and Husky to pursue the project privately. Interestingly, the concept of a centennial tower originally emerged in Edmonton, but faced significant opposition from local residents regarding its proposed location. In a bid to redirect the project, former Calgary Mayor Grant MacEwan advocated for its relocation to Calgary, echoing the community's desire for the tower.
As the development progressed, plans for the tower underwent various modifications, significantly influenced by construction delays and evolving design ambitions, ultimately increasing its height from an initial 170 meters to 180 meters (approximately 550 to 590 ft).
Construction officially commenced on February 19, 1967, and was completed in a remarkable 15 months, incurring a total cost of approximately $3.5 million. One of the most notable engineering feats of the project was the construction of the tower's column, which was achieved through an unprecedented continuous pour of concrete. This pouring process began on May 15, 1967, and was concluded just 24 days later, with the column rising at an impressive average rate of 7.6 meters (25 ft) per day. Industry experts praised this achievement, labeling it an "amazing feat of technical and physical workmanship."
Upon its completion, the Husky Tower stood at an impressive height of 191 meters (626 ft), reclaiming the title of the tallest structure of its kind in North America. The tower dramatically reshaped the Calgary skyline, soaring more than twice the height of the previous tallest building in the city, Elveden House. To maintain a competitive edge, the developers initially misrepresented the tower's height to the public, claiming it would reach only 187 meters (613 ft). This tactic was aimed at dissuading rival developers from attempting to surpass the Husky Tower's height. However, when officials in San Antonio, Texas, announced the completion of their own 190-meter (622 ft) Tower of the Americas, the true height of the Husky Tower was disclosed, reaffirming its status.
The grand opening of the Husky Tower took place over three separate ceremonies from June 28 to June 30, 1968. Its observation level featured a unique lounge and restaurant named the Hitching Post.
Later history[]
Marathon Realty acquired a controlling interest in the iconic Calgary Tower in 1970, marking a significant moment in the tower's history. To honor the citizens of Calgary, the structure was officially renamed the Calgary Tower on November 1, 1971. Interestingly, airport officials still refer to the tower as the Husky Tower to differentiate it from the similarly named structure at Calgary International Airport.
In 1983, the Petro-Canada Centre's west tower surpassed the Calgary Tower, claiming the title of the tallest building in Calgary. This shift in dominance highlighted the ongoing development in the city's skyline.
The Calgary Tower saw extensive renovations from 1987 to 1990, which transformed some of its key features. The refurbishment included the addition of a souvenir shop, which provided visitors with a way to remember their experience, and a revolving restaurant that offered panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. This $2.4 million renovation project also introduced a new glass rotunda that served as the lobby, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
As a celebration of the upcoming 1988 Winter Olympics, a striking natural gas-fired cauldron was installed at the top of the tower by Canadian Western Natural Gas in October 1987. This impressive torch, which burns through 850 cubic metres (30,000 cubic feet) of gas per hour, was lit for the first time on February 13, 1988, coinciding with the opening of the Olympic Games. Remarkably, it burned continuously throughout the event and continues to be ignited for special occasions, including the national celebration of Canada Day.
In 1989, the Calgary Tower proudly became a founding member of the World Federation of Great Towers, joining distinguished structures such as the Eiffel Tower, which emphasized its status among the world's architectural marvels. The tower celebrated a notable milestone in 1993 when it marked its 25th anniversary, attracting over 500,000 visitors for the first time, a testament to its enduring appeal and significance in the community.
On June 24, 2005, the tower's observation deck was enhanced with a glass floor extension on its north side. This innovative addition allows visitors to walk over a transparent surface, offering an exhilarating view straight down to 9th Avenue South and Centre Street.
In a bid to elevate its presence in the city even further, an advanced LED multicolour exterior lighting system was incorporated in 2014. The first test of this vibrant lighting system occurred on August 1, 2014, and it was fully operational by October 8, 2014. This system includes 12 lights atop the crown and 24 on the exterior floors, each capable of producing over 16.5 million combinations of colors and lighting effects.
Architecture[]
The Calgary tower features a revolving restaurant, Sky360. The restaurant does a complete rotation every 45 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes in the evening. The base of the tower is connected through the Plus 15 skyway network to One Palliser Square, the Fairmont Palliser Hotel and Encana Place. Stairs to the observation deck are not opened to the public, but have been used on occasions for publicity, as well as for an annual charity stair-climbing race. There are 802 steps.
The Vertigo Theatre, founded in 1976 originally as Pleiades Theatre, is at the base of the tower. They have been entertaining the city from their location in the Calgary Tower since 2003, providing a full season of plays in the mystery genre, for adult and youth audiences.
The tower also features a carillon that was presented to the city by the local Dutch community in 1975 as part of the city's centennial celebrations. It was played daily at noon until removed in 1987 for storage. The carillon has since been refurbished and restored to operation.