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The SkyriseCalgary team will be taking a holiday break and returning with local Calgary coverage on January 2, 2017. We look forward to checking in with all of your favourite projects again in the new year. Happy holidays from the Skyrise team!
Despite the economic downturn, it's been a busy year for construction in Calgary. And we thought there's no better way to gauge the city's growth than to conduct a comprehensive poll that pits development against development. Earlier this month, we asked our readers to vote for their favourite projects completed in 2016, their favourite projects currently under construction, and their favourite buildings of all time. Our inaugural poll allowed voters to select up to three projects in five categories: 2016 completions over 10 storeys, 2016 completions 10 storeys and under, under construction over 10 storeys, under construction 10 storeys and under, and all-time buildings. With polling now closed and 105 votes tallied, we are pleased to share the winners!
For 2016 completions over 10 storeys, Kahanoff Two ran away with the vote, with nearly 50 percent of respondents approving of the DIALOG-designed tower. Its shifting facade, curtain wall glass and provision of contemporary office space to anchor tenant Jazz Danceworks are among the project's primary features. The 25-storey Eau Claire Tower won the hearts and minds of just over 19 percent of voters, while the 35-storey Mark on 10th snagged approximately 14 percent of voters' affection. Pulse, EV Hilton Hotel, and The Guardian — popular projects in our Forum — also placed near the top of the list.
Favourite: Kahanoff Two
Runner-Up: Eau Claire Tower
3rd Place: Mark on 10th
Of the projects completed in 2016 that landed 10 storeys and under, nearly 65 percent of voters chose Studio Bell as one of their favourites. The home of the National Music Centre boasts a striking facade that emits gold hues on a structure that bridges over 4th Street SE. The results then get a little more unpredictable. With almost 22 percent of voters choosing it, the new International Terminal at YYC is the runner-up, while the orange accents and modern design of GLAS won over about 15 percent of voters.
Favourite: Studio Bell
Runner-Up: YYC New International Terminal
3rd Place: GLAS
Of projects 10 storeys and taller that are currently under construction — a category with the most attention-grabbing, high-profile buildings — Telus Sky obliterated the competition. Canada's first development by Bjarke Ingels Group was chosen by over 80 percent of respondents. The office and residential tower's signature twist hasn't taken shape yet, so our readers are keenly monitoring construction in our Forum as the project continues to unfold.
Meanwhile, the majority of the 56-storey Brookfield Place — now the tallest building in the city — has been sheathed in high-quality glazing, giving our readers a feel for the project's final condition. Almost 24 percent of participants gave the project their vote of confidence. Not too far behind was another forthcoming office tower with impactful cladding, 707 Fifth. Also largely complete on the outside, the SOM-designed highrise is one of the most popular recent additions to Calgary's urban fabric, garnering 18 percent of voters' picks. Surprisingly, and perhaps a reflection of the sheer number of high-design projects being built in Calgary, prominent projects like 6th and Tenth, Vogue, and Versus ended up in the bottom half of the results.
Favourite: Telus Sky
Runner-Up: Brookfield Place
3rd Place: 707 Fifth
Not surprisingly, the New Central Library commanded the category of projects 10 storeys and under that are currently being constructed. Boasting a design by Snøhetta, the budding East Village development will sport wood accents and feature six storeys of collaborative spaces. The cubist Steps Bridgeland earned a respectable 17 percent of voters' selections, while Duke at Mission got about 11 percent. The race is tighter from there, with NicheOne and the ATCO Commercial Centre tied at almost 10 percent.
Favourite: New Central Library
Runner-Up: Steps Bridgeland
3rd Place: Duke at Mission
Respondents also selected their favourite buildings of all-time, with The Bow leading the pack at nearly 50 percent. The curvilinear project employs Norman Foster's trademark exterior bracing, lending a visually compelling aesthetic to Calgary's former tallest building. Another recent completion in Eighth Avenue Place earned runner-up status while the historic Fairmont Palliser Hotel received the third highest number of votes. The twins of Bankers Hall and the Suncor Energy Centre tied for fourth, and a similar situation played out between the Calgary Tower and the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Memorial Park Library, Lewis Lofts, First Canadian Centre, Le Germain Calgary, Heritage Hall of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the Brutalist former Calgary Board of Education building all received a vote apiece under the 'other' option.
Favourite: The Bow
Runner-Up: Eighth Avenue Place
3rd Place: Fairmont Palliser Hotel
Thank you to everyone who participated in our year-end polls. You can find discussion threads and Databases for the above projects in our Buildings Forum, where you can have your say and share your photos.
Did your favourites end up winning? Or were they topped by another project? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment in the field below.
