Most Sustainable Office Tower Officially Opens

24-storey TELUS Garden office tower first in Canada built to new LEED Platinum standards

TELUS Garden’s office tower in the heart of Downtown Vancouver is now officially open. Rich with innovative architectural, technological and environmental features, it is the first substantial office tower in Canada built to new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum standards.

“Our new home that embellishes the heart of Vancouver’s skyline, TELUS Garden is an architectural icon that exemplifies our brand, reflects our values and symbolizes a deep appreciation of our team for their dedication to connecting people and communities across Canada,” said Darren Entwistle, TELUS President and CEO. “It is our sincere hope that this exceptional space provides inspiration for all who live, work and visit here. Indeed, TELUS Garden is Canada’s most beautiful and ambitious LEED Platinum building, and one of the most environmentally-friendly developments in North America.”

The unique development’s features include:

• A district energy system that will reduce demand from conventional energy sources by 80 per cent and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than one million kilograms a year. The system recovers energy from the neighbouring telecommunications building that would normally be lost and uses it to heat and cool air and water throughout the development;
• Vancouver’s largest solar panel array on the office tower’s rooftop, reducing reliance on conventional commercial electricity;
• Rainwater capture systems to irrigate gardens throughout the development;
• 10,000 square feet of outdoor meeting space and garden terraces on six levels planted with a community food garden that will be tended by TELUS team members, indigenous trees and thousands of plants species;
• An iconic architectural canopy along Georgia Street that will provide coverage to the new public plaza that also features seating, music and a free Wi-Fi zone
• Vancouver’s first cantilevered office spaces above city sidewalks, which enhance the office building’s design while maximizing the use of vertical space;
• A media façade that will display community programing including visual arts created by local students and arts organizations;
• A custom made Fazioli piano in the office building lobby for local musicians, beside an indoor koi fish pond;
• Advanced building systems, which include a ventilation system providing fresh air to residents and workers, rather than the recycled air typical of towers;
• High-efficiency motion sensor lighting to significantly reduce energy consumption;
• Charging stations for electric vehicles and bike storage, with showers for team members;
• 450,000 square feet of new office space and 65,000 square feet of new retail space, including TELUS’ flagship 2,300 square foot retail store.

“When we first imagined this project five years ago, our vision was to create a new headquarters for our team that would dramatically reduce TELUS’ environmental footprint,” said Andrea Goertz, TELUS Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice-President. “It was also important to us that the development contribute to Vancouver’s social fabric by recreating this central block as a vibrant, fun place full of culture and energy. TELUS Garden has achieved all of that and more.”

TELUS Garden’s office tower was designed to support TELUS’ Work Styles program, which encourages team members to work when and where they are most effective. Fully 70 per cent of TELUS team members work at home full or part-time, coming into the office when it meets their requirements. Work Styles saves real estate costs while simultaneously reducing employee commuting expenses, environmental impact, and traffic. To support the program, the office design combines private meeting rooms, mobile work stations, open seating areas, shared work stations, kitchens, large outdoor terraces and green spaces to encourage collaboration, teamwork and innovation.

“As a leading technology company here in B.C., it’s fitting that the new TELUS Garden showcases new building and environmental techniques,” said Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Virk. “This new building is a symbol of technology and ecology working together to create sustainable development.”

TELUS has long called British Columbia home. The development of the company’s new LEED Platinum TELUS Garden reinforces TELUS’ commitment to the City of Vancouver and supports the city’s goal of becoming the greenest city in the world.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.